Rural Entrepreneurship Stream
The City of Camrose is pleased to announce its acceptance into the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program's (AAIP) Rural Entrepreneurship Stream as a designated community. This program is for immigrants who want to start a business or buy an existing business in the City of Camrose. NOTE: The City of Camrose will only work directly with applicants to the RES Program. If you are a settlement agent of any kind, please direct your client to contact us directly.
Applicants to this program must:
- Have either 3 years experience as an active business owner/manager or a minimum of 4 years of experience as a senior manager within the past 10 years.
- Completed a minimum of high school equivalent to the Canadian standard;
- Have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark level of 4;
- Minimum net worth of $300,000 and commit to a minimum investment of $100,000;
- Have minimum 51% ownership in a new business or 100% ownership in an established business; and
- Create at least one full time position.
The City of Camrose appreciates all inquiries, however, due to the volume of inquiries, the City will only work with applicants that have completed the market research and developed a comprehensive business plan for the City to review prior to the exploratory visit.
How To Apply
Step One
Review the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) website for program criteria and eligibility and complete the Self-Assessment Tool. Only candidates who meet the eligibility criteria should proceed to Step 2.
Step Three
Submit an email of intent to the City of Camrose at econdev@camrose.ca with an attached business plan for review.
Step Four
The Business Development Coordinator will set up an online interview to learn more about the applicant’s business plan as well as answer questions about the City of Camrose.
Step Five
If we are satisfied that the proposed business will be a benefit to the community, we will extend an invitation to meet for an exploratory visit. This in-person visit is mandatory. The purpose of the exploratory visit is to assist the entrepreneur in making an informed decision about operating and managing a business in our community. Visa and logistics requirements are the sole responsibility of the candidate.
Step Six
Send a copy of a completed Rural Entrepreneur Stream Business Proposal Summary and your copy of your Exploratory Visit Report to econdev@camrose.ca.
Step Seven
The Business Development Coordinator will review all business proposals and issue a Community Support Letter to successful candidates.
Step Eight
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Government of Alberta including proof of English qualification and all supporting documents.
Step Nine
Complete and submit a full Business Application Package to the Government of Alberta following the approval of the EOI from step 8.
Step Ten
Apply for a work permit with the Government of Canada.
Step Eleven
Begin provincial nomination process.
Step Twelve
Establish your business in Camrose. Follow-up reporting and successful operations will be monitored.
Extra Information on Key Documents
Community Support Letter (Step 6):
After the exploratory visit, the entrepreneur will provide a copy of the updated Business Proposal to econdev@camrose.ca for further review and consideration. The Business Proposal Summary should reaffirm the discussions on the business venture in the community during the exploratory visit. If the community deems that the entrepreneur and their business proposal is a benefit to the community, the community representative will endorse the Business Proposal Summary and issue the Community Support Letter to the entrepreneur.
Expression of Interest (Step 8):
Once the entrepreneur receives the endorsed Business Proposal Summary and Community Support Letter, the entrepreneur can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program Portal pending they meet all Rural Entrepreneur Stream eligibility criteria.
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