Administered by Government of Alberta · Last verified: July 2026
Alberta's provincial nominee pathway for entrepreneurs who start or buy a business in a smaller rural Alberta community. It requires a minimum personal net worth of $300,000 and a business investment of at least $100,000, recently reduced from $200,000 to stay competitive with other provinces. Candidates submit an Expression of Interest, and successful applicants are nominated toward permanent residence after meeting the commitments in their business agreement.
Review times vary by program, from a few weeks to a few months, so check the official page for its timeline. Grant money is usually paid after you sign a funding agreement, and cost-shared programs often reimburse you once you send proof of what you spent.
Take the 3-minute quiz to find out, and see every other Canadian program you qualify for at the same time.
Check my eligibilityAlberta Advantage Immigration Program: Rural Entrepreneur Stream is generally open to incorporated, self-employed, partnership businesses, in Alberta. Confirm the full criteria on the official program page before applying.
The estimated value is Requires $100,000+ investment; pathway to permanent residence. The actual amount depends on your eligible costs, the program's budget, and approval.
1. Confirm your target community qualifies as rural under the program 2. Submit an Expression of Interest to the AAIP 3. If invited, submit a full application with your business plan 4. Establish the business and apply for nomination once targets are met
Typically $1 million to $10 million per project, depending on scope
INCENTIVEUp to $75 per square foot of converted office space
INCENTIVELoans up to approximately $1,000,000 (average around $70,000)