Farm Stream:
This program is for entrepreneurs who have enough money and farming experience to start a new farm or buy an existing one in Alberta.
Applicants must send their application and business plan to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) for review. The AAIP will work with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation to make sure the business plan is realistic, practical, and fits the needs of Alberta’s farming industry.
Note: If the AAIP finds any fraud or dishonesty in an application, the applicant may be banned from applying again for up to 5 years.
Check your Eligibility:
To be eligible for this program, candidates must meet the following requirements when they submit their application and when the AAIP reviews it. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a nomination or permanent residence.
Farm Management Skills:
Candidates must show they have farm management experience. Proof can include:
· Financial records from an existing farm business
· Documents showing education, training, and work experience in farming
· A business plan for the farm they want to start in Alberta
· Proof that a Canadian bank is willing to finance their farm business
Sufficient Financial Resources:
Candidates must have at least CDN $500,000 in equity to invest in a primary production farm in Alberta. They must provide documents showing a minimum net worth of CDN $500,000, or proof that they can access a similar amount from other sources. Candidates may need to show they can invest more than the minimum required.
Primary Production Investment:
Candidates must submit a business plan with their application, detailing their investment plans. Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation will review the plan to make sure it meets Alberta’s farming industry standards. Applications that align with Alberta’s agri-food growth targets will be given priority.
Ineligibility:
You are not eligible to apply under the AAIP Farm Stream if you:
· Have an active nomination that has not expired and/or is not eligible for extension under another AAIP stream (only one AAIP Nomination Certificate is allowed).
· Have been told by AAIP in a previous application that you cannot re-apply for a specified period (your application will be declined if you apply during this time).
· Have been issued a removal order by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or Canada Border Services Agency.
· Are living or working in Canada without valid temporary resident status.
· Are a live-in caregiver currently in Canada.
· Are working and living as a temporary foreign worker in a province other than Alberta.
· Are an international student studying in Canada, including those in co-op work placements or internships.
