The clock has struck midnight on the "Start-up Visa era." As of December 31, 2025, the federal government has effectively shuttered new intake for the SUV to manage a decade-long backlog. For many, this is a crisis. For my clients, it is an opportunity to pivot to quality
Why the "Rural" Label is a Misnomer
Many international investors hear "Rural Alberta" and think of isolation. As someone who has spent 30 years in Canadian finance, I see it differently. These are high-growth economic zones. Many of these communities are hubs for energy, agriculture-tech, and tourism, located just a short drive from major centers like Calgary or Edmonton.
As the Quebec Vietnam Association President and a strategic advisor based in Vietnam, I am seeing a massive shift in sentiment. The "smart money" is moving toward the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) because it offers:
Speed: Work permits are typically issued in months, not years, once the BPA is signed.
Certainty: You receive a 205(a) Letter of Support directly from the province, which is a powerful legal instrument at the border.
Protection: Unlike federal programs currently facing Bill C-12 termination risks, provincial streams are managed according to local labor market needs, making them "essential" rather than "disposable" in the eyes of the government.
We are no longer in an era where you can "buy" a pathway to Canada through an incubator. We are in the era of Architectural Investment. Alberta is the blueprint.
About the Author
Michel Verdy is a Retired Canadian Bank Executive, a renowned Finance Immigration Product Architect, and the CEO and Founder of VGlobal Partners, established in 2011 in Hong Kong. He also serves as the President and Co-Founder of the Quebec Vietnam Association (Association Québec Vietnam).
With over 30 years of experience in the North American financial sector, Michel has facilitated over $3.7 billion CAD in direct investments since 1993, helping more than 10,000 families achieve their global citizenship goals. Having held senior leadership roles at major institutions—including BMO, Scotiabank (ScotiaMcLeod), and Laurentian Bank Securities—he brings institutional banking rigor to the immigration landscape. Based in Vietnam since 2021, he is a key strategic advisor for high-net worth individuals and governments seeking high-integrity, expert-led expansion into the Canadian market.