All applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English or French. All four language abilities must be at least Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 (CLB 4). As part of their application, applicants must provide the results of an authorized language exam.

• Applicants must have a personal net worth of at least CAD$300,000. All assets must be personal holdings of the applicant or those of their spouse or common-law partner.
• Investing in a business

Applicants must make a minimum equity investment of CAD$200,000. More points will be rewarded for higher levels of investment.

• If an applicant is starting a new firm, they must own at least 51 percent of it. Any company partners must be citizens or permanent residents of Canada.
• If an applicant is acquiring an existing firm, the applicant must own the whole company (i.e. the succession buy-out must result in a complete change in ownership).
• The company must not be on the list of ineligible companies.

If an applicant starts a new business, the company must hire at least one full-time Canadian citizen or permanent resident (excluding the applicant’s family). More points will be earned if more jobs are created.

If an applicant passes the basic requirements, they are eligible to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the AAIP. A Business Application will be required of some candidates. Applicants will be chosen based on the points assigned to them by the Rural Entrepreneur Stream Points Grid. However, the following characteristics will boost the candidate’s chances of selection:

• Economic advantage: If the applicant is buying an existing firm, they will have a better chance of getting chosen.
• Age: Applicants between the ages of 21 and 49 have a better probability of being chosen.
• Spouse: If the applicant’s a spouse/common-law partner has finished post-secondary education (minimum of a one-year programme) or has obtained CLB 4 on an approved English or French language exam, the applicant will have a better chance of being chosen.
• Alberta-related: If the candidate has an Alberta relative, they will have a better chance of getting chosen. Relatives include the candidate’s father, stepfather, mother, stepmother, kid, stepchild, sister, step-sister, brother, step-brother, and common-law partner.

How to Apply for the Rural Entrepreneur Stream in Alberta

• To apply for the Alberta Rural Entrepreneur Stream, applicants must complete the following steps:
• Step One: Investigative visit and community support
• Step two is to fill out an Expression of Interest form (EOI)
• Step Three: Purchase a Business Application Package
• Step four is to start a business
• Step Five: Get a provincial nomination and get permanent residency