The Alberta Self-Employed Farmer Stream is a component of the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), the province’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This stream is intended for experienced farm owners and operators who want to own and run a farm in Alberta.
Candidates selected through the Alberta Self-Employed Farmer stream will be invited to make an official application for Canadian permanent residency. This program demands a highly personalized application based on the sort of farm a person wants to establish.
Because the stream is jointly maintained by AINP and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AAF), applicants must communicate with both agencies before submitting their applications.
What are the minimum eligibility requirements?
| Criteria | Minimum Requirement |
| Do you need an Express Entry Profile? | No |
| Are connections to the province required? | No |
| Do you need an existing job offer? | No |
| What is the minimum language ability required? | No minimum |
| What is the minimum educational level required? | No minimum |
| Do you need work experience? | Farm Management Experience |
| What are the financial requirements? | Investment: $500,000 CAD Personal Net Worth: $500,000 CAD |
All candidates must demonstrate that they have the farm management abilities necessary to operate a farm successfully in Alberta.
To do so, AINP asks all candidates to present financial papers for their current farming business, as well as proof of education, training, and job experience in farm management.
Applicants for this stream must also submit a detailed business plan explaining their Alberta farm proposition. This strategy must contain evidence that a Canadian financial firm is willing to fund the projected farming venture.
Financial Requirements — Investment and Personal Net Worth
Applicants must demonstrate that they have the financial resources necessary to establish a sustainable agricultural enterprise. All applicants must be able to spend at least $500,000 CAD in a primary production agricultural enterprise in Alberta.
Candidates must present financial papers proving that they have a minimum net worth of $500,000 CAD or that they have access to this money from other means to demonstrate this.
Please keep in mind that the $500,000 CAD is a minimum requirement. Alberta maintains the right to require applicants to prove their capacity to invest more than the minimal amount.
All applicants must prepare and submit a thorough business plan describing their plans to invest in a main production agricultural enterprise in Alberta.
This business plan must detail how the applicant expects to put their money to work. The province will prioritize proposals that demonstrate the strongest prospect for development in relation to Alberta’s agri-food demands.
How do I begin the application process?
New applications are always welcome in the Alberta Self-Employed Farmer stream. Candidates who are eligible can apply at any time, and applications are reviewed in a first-come, first-served manner.
Before drafting an application, candidates should consult the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AAF) and they must be evaluated by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development.
Candidates may wish to plan an exploratory trip to Alberta before submitting an application, as the application asks candidates to present proof that they have examined the farming environment in Alberta and Canada.
Candidates who are interested must submit a thorough paper-based application. All documentation must be produced in hard copy and mailed to the Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AAF) office, not the AINP office, in a single envelope. The application needs considerable documentation as well as forms demonstrating that the applicant satisfies the criteria of the stream.
Documents demonstrating the applicant’s farm management expertise, financial means, and planned business strategy are required for the application. If AAF accepts the application, it will be submitted to AINP for further review.
Should the application be also approved by AINP, Alberta will notify the applicant that they’ve been chosen for provincial nomination. AINP will mail an official nomination packet to successful applicants.
An applicant has six months after acquiring a provincial nomination to file a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program need to fill out and mail a paper-based application for permanent residence to the relevant application center.
In general, paper-based PNP applications for permanent residency are handled within 18 months.
Here’s What You Can Read Next
Canadian Immigration Pathways: Which one is best for you?
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Immigrate to a Province or Territory
Immigrate to Canada through the Study-Work-PR Pathway