What TCF Canada scores does Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur require?

NCLC 5 in all four abilities: speaking 6, listening 369, reading 375, and writing 6.

Do NCLC 6, 7, or 8 scores provide an advantage?

Yes. The current grid rises from 10 points at NCLC 5 to 15, 20, and 30 points at NCLC 6, 7, and 8 or higher. Always verify the live grid.

When do I submit the recommendation and evaluation report?

The designated agency's recommendation goes with the EOI. The Business Plan Evaluation Report goes later with the Business Application after a request.

Are urban and regional ownership and investment thresholds the same?

No. Current minimums are 34% and CAD 100,000 for urban projects, versus 51% and CAD 50,000 for regional projects. Confirm the live rules.

Is Business Application approval a nomination?

No. The ordinary route still requires at least 12 months of ownership and active operation in Alberta, followed by a Final Report.

Using TCF Canada for Alberta Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Alberta's Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream requires NCLC 5 in all four French abilities. The TCF Canada minimums are speaking 6, listening 369, reading 375, and writing 6. Under the current EOI grid, NCLC 6, 7, and 8 or higher can earn more language points.

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NCLC 5 is mandatory in all four abilities

For NCLC 5, TCF Canada requires speaking 6, listening 369, reading 375, and writing 6. Each ability must reach its own threshold. Official results must be less than 2 years old when you submit the Entrepreneur Expression of Interest, or EOI.

NCLC 6, 7, and 8 can increase language points

In the current grid, NCLC 5 gives 10 points, NCLC 6 gives 15 points, NCLC 7 gives 20 points, and NCLC 8 or higher gives 30 points. NCLC 6 starts at speaking 7, listening 398, reading 406, and writing 7. NCLC 7 starts at speaking 10, listening 458, reading 453, and writing 10. NCLC 8 starts at speaking 12, listening 503, reading 499, and writing 12.

Your degree must be from outside Canada

You need a degree from a post-secondary institution outside Canada, completed within ten years before submitting the EOI. An Education Credential Assessment, or ECA, must show that it is equivalent to a Canadian degree. Language results cannot replace either requirement.

Experience and a designated agency have separate roles

You need at least six months of full-time experience combining active business management or business ownership, or equivalent business incubator or accelerator experience. You must also work with an AAIP-approved designated agency, which evaluates the venture and issues the Letter of Recommendation submitted with the EOI.

Plan, pitch, and evaluation report follow different stages

The venture needs a business plan with projected financials and a 10-minute pitch deck. The Letter of Recommendation supports the EOI. The Business Plan Evaluation Report is obtained later and submitted with the Business Application after a request; it is not an EOI attachment.

Ownership, investment, and live eligibility tables

You must own at least 34% of an urban business, or own at least 51% of a regional business outside the Calgary and Edmonton Census Metropolitan Areas. Business partners must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The current minimum investment is CAD 100,000 for an urban centre and CAD 50,000 for a regional area. Check settlement funds against the live LICO table using family size and community population, and verify priority sectors against the current Alberta page and economic-benefit criteria.

The EOI is a ranking step, not an application

The Entrepreneur EOI is scored and ranked, and higher-ranking candidates may receive a request to submit a Business Application. Job creation is not mandatory, but it can earn points in the point grid. Business Performance Agreement commitments must be fulfilled. An EOI is not an application and does not guarantee selection, approval, nomination, or permanent residence.

Business approval comes before operation and nomination

The ordinary approval route includes a Business Performance Agreement, Business Application Approval Letter, and paragraph 205(a) work-permit support. You must reside in Alberta and maintain the required ownership and active operation for at least 12 months before submitting the Final Report for Nomination. Business Application Approval is not a nomination, and IRCC makes the permanent-residence decision.

Frequently asked questions

What TCF Canada scores does Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur require?: NCLC 5 in all four abilities: speaking 6, listening 369, reading 375, and writing 6.
Do NCLC 6, 7, or 8 scores provide an advantage?: Yes. The current grid rises from 10 points at NCLC 5 to 15, 20, and 30 points at NCLC 6, 7, and 8 or higher. Always verify the live grid.
When do I submit the recommendation and evaluation report?: The designated agency's recommendation goes with the EOI. The Business Plan Evaluation Report goes later with the Business Application after a request.
Are urban and regional ownership and investment thresholds the same?: No. Current minimums are 34% and CAD 100,000 for urban projects, versus 51% and CAD 50,000 for regional projects. Confirm the live rules.
Is Business Application approval a nomination?: No. The ordinary route still requires at least 12 months of ownership and active operation in Alberta, followed by a Final Report.

Official source

2026-08-22.

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