Earlier this month, Alberta made some changes in its requirement for two of its Canada immigration streams designed for international graduate entrepreneurs. The alternations made to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) streams were implemented on December 7, 2021. The two streams which the changes have been made to are the International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream and the Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream.
Alterations Made to the International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream
For the International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream, the authorities have let go of the requirement for 6 months of work experience. Now, it is being said to be a factor that would increase the chances of a candidate of being qualified for the stream. Also, individuals who have a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) are eligible for applying for this stream. While submitting their Expression of Interest, they will be required to show their PGWP. Earlier, it was mandatory for the PGWP to be valid for a period of two years.
Alterations Made to the Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream
As far as the Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream is concerned, there has been a significant change in language requirements. The Canadian Language Benchmark has been reduced from 7 to 5 for French or English in all disciplines. Individuals, who have finished their degree in the last 10 years, can now qualify for the stream. Earlier, only those who had completed their degree in the last 2 years could have applied for it.
Alternations Made to Both Streams
There are some changes that are common to both streams. Now, international graduates who own or run a business organization in Alberta are qualified for applying for permanent residency as long as they meet the criteria.
Alberta Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream
The Alberta immigration Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream can be best described as an economic immigration program that has been designed for foreign-educated graduates who are not from Canada and wish to have their own start-up companies or other businesses in Alberta. The AINP stream is a collaboration between the AINP and two agencies, Calgary’s Platform Calgary and Empowered Start-Ups from Vancouver.
The aforementioned agencies will work towards reviewing the business plans of the foreign graduates based on the below mentioned factors:
(a) how well they establish market demand
(b) their ability to enter the market successfully and be there on a short-term or long-term basis
(c) business development plans
(d) customer acquisition
(e) important collaborations and financial plans to propel the development process and day-to-day operations of the business
Once the business plan is thoroughly reviewed, the agency will be submitting a written report containing the details of their assessment of the business plan. Foreign graduates will be required to submit this report along with their FGSVS business application.
Alberta International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream
The Alberta International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream has been put together for international graduates from post-secondary institutions in Alberta who wish to start a business or start-up enterprise in the province. Candidates are required to run their business at least for a period of 12 months while living in Alberta on a work permit. Once they do this, they will be eligible to be nominated for permanent residence by the AINP.