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.

Rural Entrepreneurship Stream

How to Apply

Step 1: 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 2: View the businesses for sale in Camrose.

Step 3: Submit an email of intent to Kevin Johnson, Business Development Coordinator, to kjohnson@camrose.ca that contains a business plan for review.

Step 4: 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 5: 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 6: Send a copy of a completed Rural Entrepreneur Stream Business Proposal Summaryto kjohnson@camrose.ca.

Step 7: The Business Development Coordinator will review all business proposals and issue a Community Support Letter to successful candidates.

Step 8: Submit an Expression of Interest2 (EOI) to the Government of Alberta including proof of English qualification and all supporting documents.

Step 9: Complete and submit a full Business Application Package to the Government of Alberta following the approval of the EOI from step 8.

Step 10: Apply for a work permit with the Government of Canada

Step 11: Begin provincial nomination process

Step 12: Establish your business in Camrose. Follow-up reporting and successful operations will be monitored.

Extra details on key documents

1 Community Support Letter (step 6):
After the exploratory visit, the entrepreneur will provide a copy of the updated Business Proposal to kjohnson@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.

2 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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