Clarifying Eligibility information for Entrepreneur Streams

As of August 12, 2026, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has updated the Rural Entrepreneur Stream (RES), Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (GES) and Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (FGES) webpages. The updates provide more information about the existing economic establishment program requirement.

Program eligibility criteria and requirements have not changed. The updates explain how AAIP assesses existing requirements and what information applicants should provide with their business proposal or application.

Review the updated information before preparing your business proposal, business plan or supporting documents. This will help you understand the requirements and provide the information AAIP needs to assess your application.

Understanding these requirements is also important after your application is approved and as you establish and operate your business in Alberta. During the monitoring phase, AAIP will assess whether your business activities continue to align with the economic establishment requirement as outlined on the stream’s eligibility page.

If AAIP is currently assessing your Business Application, you may not have had access to this additional guidance when you applied. If AAIP has concerns about whether your application meets these requirements, you will have an opportunity to respond and provide more information before AAIP makes a decision.

If you already have an Entrepreneur Expression of Interest (EOI) in the pool, you do not need to update your EOI because of these changes. If you are selected and invited to submit a Business Application, you can provide additional information and supporting documents related to these requirements as part of your application.

If you submit a new EOI, you must meet the existing eligibility requirements. Review the eligibility page for the stream you are applying to before submitting your EOI.