Canada Immigration Updates– Weekly Roundup

This weeks Canada Immigration Updates, the Province of Alberta has recently introduced a new economic immigration program under the AINP stream, enabling international graduates to start up business in Alberta to apply for a nomination in the province. Applicable applicants can now apply under the International Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream (IGSVS).

This newly introduced software comes under the category of AINP Entrepreneur Sources. Similarly, FGSVS is a point-based program for the International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream (IGEIS). The Province of Alberta has recently introduced a new economic immigration program under the AINP stream, enabling international graduates to start up business in Alberta to apply for an appointment in the province. Applicable applicants can now apply under the International Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream (IGSVS).

This newly introduced program comes under the category of AINP Entrepreneur Sources. Similarly, IGSVS is a point-based program for the International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream (IGEIS). Applicants would need to follow the minimum eligibility requirements to apply to maximise the chances of selection; they should ensure that all available ranking points are claimed.

Applicants eligible to apply under the IGSVS must consult with one of the two designated organisations to obtain a letter of recommendation to continue with the application. In addition to getting a letter of recommendation, the applicant must comply with the following criteria:

• Have earned a degree from a post-secondary institution outside of Canada in the last two years;
• Have a minimum of 6 months of full-time job experience actively operating or owning a business;
• Get a CLB 7 in each category in English or an NCLC 7 in each category in French;
• Have 34% ownership of the company in the urban centre or 51% ownership in the regional area;
• Demonstrate that they have the requisite funds to set up their business;
• Invest a minimum of $100,000 in an urban centre or $50,000 in a metropolitan area.
• In addition to these criteria, applicants would also need to prepare a business plan and a 10-minute pitch deck presentation detailing the planned business venture.

To apply an application under the Alberta Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream, the applicant must take the following steps:

1. Secure a letter of recommendation from the designated organisation and meet the eligibility criteria;
2. Send an Expression of Interest and obtain a rank based on the IGSVS Points Grid (Applicants with the highest-ranking points will be invited to submit a Business Application);
3. When picked, submit a Business Application to the AINP;
4. If authorised, sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) to undertake the operation of the proposed business in Alberta;
5. Submit a two-year work permit application in Canada;
6. Enter Canada on the work permit and set up the proposed business;
7. Submit to the appointment of AINP after a year of successful management of the company and having met the requirements of the BPA;
8. Upon receipt of the AINP nomination, IRCC shall apply for permanent residence in Canada.

With the International Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream (IGSVS) opening, Alberta Entrepreneur Stream now has three services available to entrepreneurs seeking to settle in Alberta.