Self-Employed Farmer Stream

This stream allows individuals with the farming experience and personal funds to purchase and develop a farm in Alberta and apply for permanent residence. Successful applicants are farm owners/operators who plan to live in Alberta in order to purchase and manage their farming business.
The AINP works closely with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AAF) to assess the eligibility of applicants in this category.
Self-Employed Farmer Stream criteria – Self-Employed Farmer Stream criteria (include but are not limited to):

You must prove that you have farm management skills shown by:
- Financial documentation of your existing farm business
- Documentation of your education, training and work experience
- Proposed business plan for the farming enterprise you are considering in Alberta
- Proof that a Canadian financial institution is willing to finance your proposed farming business.
You must have sufficient financial resources to develop a sustainable farming operation.
- You must be able to invest a minimum of CDN $500,000 of equity in a primary production farming business in Alberta.
- You must provide documents that demonstrates you have a minimum net worth of CDN $500,000 or confirmation that you have access to a similar amount of funds from other sources.
- The CDN $500,000 is the minimum amount. You may be required to show you have the ability to invest more than the minimum.
You must invest in a primary production farming business in Alberta.
- You will have to document your investment intentions in your proposed business plan.
- Applications representing the best opportunity for growth relevant to Alberta’s agri-food targets will be given priority.
- Who is not eligible?
- The following are not eligible under the AINP Self-Employed Farmer Stream:

Refugee claimants, or individuals involved in a federal appeal or removal process. It is not the mandate of the AINP to intervene in the federal refugee claim, appeal or removal process.
Live-in caregivers currently living in Canada
Temporary Foreign Workers working and residing in a province other than Alberta
International students studying in Canada, including students doing co-op work placements or internships as part of their study program