Farm Stream – How to apply

Before you apply

You may only have one Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) application in process at any time.

How to withdraw an application in process

If you decide to request the withdrawal of an application, email your request with your AAIP file number to [email protected].

The AAIP must confirm that your application has been withdrawn before you can submit a new application. The AAIP will send you an email advising when your application has been withdrawn.

If an application is withdrawn, the application fee will not be refunded.

Application steps

Step 1. Read the terms and conditions

AAIP Terms and Conditions

The availability of AAIP streams, categories, pathways and pilots is dependent upon application volumes and labour market needs. The AAIP reserves the right to close application intake for any AAIP stream, category, pathway or pilot at any time, without prior notice. Further, the AAIP may decline to consider applications to closed or suspended streams, categories, pathways or pilots, regardless of when the applications were submitted. The criteria for the AAIP are routinely evaluated and may be subject to change at any time and without notice. Changes to the AAIP, including notice of suspension or closure of its streams and categories and criteria changes, are available at AAIP – Updates.

The AAIP is not obligated to assess/process any applications submitted. Applications to the AAIP are treated as an expression of interest, and as such, will be processed according to quality of the application (completeness, eligibility), labour market information, occupational supply and demand forecasting, AAIP application volumes, and/or any other factors at the AAIP’s discretion. By applying to the AAIP, you acknowledge and agree that your application may not be processed in the order received, or at all. Further, the decision to assess / process any particular application, and the outcome of any such assessment/processing, is at the AAIP’s sole discretion.

Program criteria are eligibility minimums, and meeting program criteria does not guarantee that a candidate’s application will be assessed, processed, or granted. The AAIP may choose to assess applications with the most current criteria irrespective of the date of submission of an application.

Candidates must have a strong likelihood of becoming economically established in Alberta. The AAIP reserves the right to decline applications if the AAIP is of the opinion that the candidate may not economically establish in Alberta.

Step 2. Review the eligibility criteria

Review the eligibility criteria for the Farm Stream and the AAIP Terms and Conditions (see Step 1 above) before submitting an application.

The AAIP does not guarantee that all complete application received will be assessed, or that all candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will be issued a nomination. Review the AAIP Terms and Conditions for complete information (see Step 1 above). Submission of an application or nomination by the AAIP does not guarantee you will be issued a permanent resident visa.

Before you consider applying to this stream, you are strongly encouraged to review the following AAIP Business Plan (Guidelines) to assist you with preparing your business plan.

Step 3. Download the checklist and complete the forms

Download and use the AAIP Farm Stream Document Checklist to complete your application. The checklist lists all the forms required for your application.

You must complete the following original forms with original signatures:

• Farm Stream Application

You must complete and provide copies of the following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) forms:

• IMM 0008 Generic Application Form for Canada
• IMM 0008 Schedule 4: Economic Classes: Provincial Nominees
• IMM 0008 Schedule 4A: Economic Classes: Business Nominees
• IMM 0008DEP Additional Dependents/Declaration Form
  • Complete this form only if you have more than 5 dependents

The following IRCC forms must be completed by you, your spouse/common-law partner and any dependents over the age of 18:

• IMM 5669 Schedule A: Background/Declaration
• IMM 5406 Additional Family Information
• IMM 5476 Use of a Representative (if applicable)

For help in filling out IRCC forms, read the IRCC Guide for Provincial Nominees.

Step 4. Pay the application fee

All Farm Stream applications paid for on or after April 1, 2024 are subject to a fee of $3,500. 

Applications paid for before April 1, 2024 are subject to a fee of $500.

Fee conditions

The AAIP application fee is non-refundable once an application has been submitted. Refund requests for application fees will not be considered. The application fee covers the cost of processing your application and is required whether a nomination certificate is issued or not. There is no guarantee you will be issued a nomination certificate.

You may only have one AAIP entrepreneur application in process at any time. Each AAIP application requires a separate application fee and will not be refunded.

Online payment

Pay your fee online by debit or credit card at MyAlberta eServices.

You must include a copy of your fee payment receipt in your application. If you do not, you will have 10 business days to provide proof of payment. If proof of payment is not received in 10 business days, your application will be declined.

For any online fee payment issues, contact the Service Alberta Contact Centre.

Step 5. Mail your application to the AAIP

Ensure your application includes your fee payment document.

Keep a copy of your application for your records.

Send your original complete application package, including your fee payment receipt, by registered mail or courier to:

Farm Stream
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program
Government of Alberta
Suite 940, ATB Place North Tower
10025 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 1S6
Canada

Applications by email or fax are not accepted.

After you apply

Notification of application

Emails from the AAIP will always come from an @gov.ab.ca account. The Alberta government does not use email accounts such as Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, etc. If you receive a suspicious email, contact your local police and report the incident to the AAIP by email at [email protected].

You will receive an email from the AAIP confirming that your file has been received. This will include your AAIP file number.

If you used an immigration representative to submit your application, your file number will be emailed to you and a copy will be sent to your representative.

You can also track the delivery of your application if you sent it by mail or courier.

Update your information

Keep your application information up to date while you wait for your application to be assessed.

If you need to make changes or updates to your application after it is submitted but before you are contacted by a Program Officer with the AAIP, you must email an application change request to [email protected] advising of the required change.

You must update the AAIP if you wish to:

• correct or update information or documents in your application
• provide required updates on your contact information (address, email address or phone number) or changes to your family status
• update your use of a representative
• request your application be withdrawn

For requests to change information or update documents in your application, send an email with your file number advising of the change that is needed, and attach relevant documents.

Forms to notify the AAIP of updates

• Change of Contact and Address Information
• Request to Add or Remove Family Member(s)
• A signed Use of Representative form must be provided to change your third-party representative for your AINP application

You will receive an automated email response indicating your email was received. You must keep track of the requests you send to the AAIP. The AAIP will update your paper application.

Application assessment

Only complete applications are accepted for assessment. If your application is incomplete, it will be declined and you will need to submit a new one and pay the required application fees.

The AAIP Program Officer will evaluate your application using the Farm Stream Eligibility Criteria. The AAIP will forward your business plan to Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation for review. Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation will determine if the proposed business plan is feasible and viable, and meets the needs of Alberta’s agriculture industry. They will then send feedback on your proposed plan to the AAIP. The Program Officer with the AAIP will contact you if they need more information.

If more information is needed

A Program Officer with the AAIP will contact you by email or phone if information is needed to assess your application. You must submit this information in the format requested by the Program Officer to their government email address. The only other information you should send to your assigned Program Officer is documents showing changes to your contact information, employment, work permit status or family situation.

If the Program Officer requires further clarification, the AAIP may request an interview with you. The interview may be conducted through web-based video conferencing. During the interview, you must be able to respond to the questions as well as demonstrate how your proposed business plan meets the Farm Stream requirements.

Decision on your application

Approved applications

If your application is approved, you will become a Provincial Nominee and get a nomination package by email. Make sure you read all documents in the package.

The information in the package will tell you and your dependants how to apply for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Learn more about what to do after you are nominated.

Declined applications

If your AAIP application is declined, you will be notified by email. If you used an immigration representative to submit your application, the email will be sent to you and copied to your representative.

Request for reconsideration

If your application is declined, read the reasons for decline. If you can demonstrate an error was made in assessing the file, you may be eligible to submit a request for reconsideration.

Note: All requests for reconsideration paid for on or after April 1, 2024 are subject to a service fee of $250. Requests paid for before April 1, 2024 are subject to a $100 fee. Information on how to pay the fee is provided below.

You may only submit one request for reconsideration per application.

Requests will not be processed until full payment is received.

Eligibility

You may submit a request for reconsideration on the decision of your AAIP application only if you meet the following criteria.

A request for reconsideration must:

• be directly related to the reason(s) stated in the decision letter
• demonstrate that an error was made in applying program criteria to the application
• be submitted by:
  • the applicant named on the decision letter
  • a representative of the applicant
• be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date the decision letter was issued

A request for reconsideration cannot be used:

• to ask for an exemption or exception to program criteria
• as an opportunity to submit new evidence or re-state the evidence submitted in the application
• if you are unsatisfied with the final decision or a component of the final decision
• to request Humanitarian and Compassionate consideration

Submit a request for reconsideration

Step 1. Complete the form

Download and fill out the Request for Reconsideration form.

Step 2. Pay the fee

All requests for reconsideration paid for on or after April 1, 2024, are subject to a service fee of $250. Requests paid for before April 1, 2024, are subject to a $100 fee.

Fee conditions

The AAIP request for reconsideration fee will automatically be refunded by the AAIP only if the original decision on your application is overturned. Other refunds for requests for reconsideration fees will not be considered.

Online Payment

Pay online by debit or credit card at eservices.alberta.ca.

Make a copy of your fee payment receipt.

For any online fee payment issues, contact the Service Alberta Contact Centre.

Step 3. Submit your request

Email your completed Request for Reconsideration form, with supporting documents and a copy of your fee payment receipt to [email protected].

If you do not include a copy of your fee payment receipt with your request, you will have 10 business days to provide proof of payment. If proof of payment is not received in 10 business days, your request will be cancelled.

After you submit a request for reconsideration

An automated email will be sent acknowledging receipt of the request.

A response will be issued within 30 calendar days of the date the request was received.

The form will be reviewed and if the request meets the conditions required, a Program Officer with the AAIP who was not involved in the original decision will conduct a review of the decision on your application.

There is no guarantee that a request for reconsideration will result in your application being re-assessed.

If you do not meet the conditions listed above to request reconsideration, you may wish to review the AAIP web page for information and updates to AAIP criteria, to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria to re-apply.

Forms and documents

• Farm Stream application
• Change of Contact and Address Information form
• Farm Stream Document Checklist
• Request for Reconsideration form - for paper applications only
• Request to Add or Remove Family Member(s)
• Use of Representative form

Contact

Connect with the program if you have questions:
Email: [email protected]