Alberta Nominee Program (AAIP)

Alberta Economic Immigration Program is designed to attract labor to the provinces of Canada. Its main goal is the economic development of regions and the replenishment of labor shortages. Selection is carried out from among candidates who have submitted an application to the official portal. It is worth considering that the portal operates cyclically: first, applications are collected, and then the portal is closed to process them.

Eligible candidates for the program include professionals whose profession is in demand in the province, as well as entrepreneurs planning to open or buy a business in the province. However, regardless of the provincial government, the final decision on the application is made by the Federal Government.

Language proficiency is assessed using the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) for English and the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) for French. Official test results must be no more than 2 years old at the time of submission of the expression of interest. 

AINP only accepts the following language tests:

• Canadian English Language Proficiency Program General Test (CELPIP).
• General test of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
• Canadian Test of French (TEF).
• Test of French Proficiency (TCF) Canada.

The Alberta Provincial Nominee Program includes several main streams, each with its own requirements for candidates. Streams can be intended for those who are already working in the province or for those who want to get there.

Amount of payments and fees as of July 2024

Alberta Opportunity Stream

Program Alberta Opportunity Stream is for foreign workers who currently live and work in Alberta and have a permanent job offer from an Alberta employer. To qualify for the program, an applicant must have a valid employment contract with an Alberta employer and a valid temporary resident status in Canada.

The applicant must meet the minimum language proficiency requirements (CLB), have completed at least a high school education according to Canadian standards. The applicant’s full-time work experience in the specialty must be:

• at least 12 months of work in Alberta within the last 18 months;
• 24 months of work experience in Canada;
• 30 months of work experience abroad.

Other requirements:

• Possession of a valid work permit at the time of application and its evaluation by AAIP.
• Have a profession that is not prohibited.
• 5 points in the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) for English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) for French.

A full list of requirements for candidates can be found at section of the official website migration program. When submitting an application, it is necessary to prepare all the necessary documents in accordance with the list of documents and apply through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) online portal. If successful, the applicant receives a nomination certificate. Within the next six months, the nominee must apply for permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Alberta Express Entry Stream

Program Alberta Express Entry Stream allows the province of Alberta to nominate a limited number of qualified candidates from the federal Express Entry pool. To participate, you must have an active Express Entry profile in the federal pool, demonstrate an interest in permanently moving to Alberta, work in an occupation that supports economic development and diversification of the region’s economy, and consider factors that increase your chances of selection, such as:

• Alberta education;
• family connections in Alberta;
• professions in high demand;
• Native French speaker level;
• using the Express Entry system for five months.

Minimum requirements for participation in the program:

• Having an active profile in the Express Entry system.
• Meet the criteria for at least one of the three Express Entry programs:
  • Canadian Experience Class
  • Federal Skilled Trades Program
  • Federal Skilled Worker
• An occupation or specialization that falls under a specific Express Entry stream or an occupation that is a priority for a province or industry.
• Ability and intent to permanently live and work in Alberta and an interest in immigrating to the province for permanent residence.
• Minimum 300 points in the rating system.
• The main profession is not included in the list of unacceptable professions and is in demand in the province.
• There are no active applications for refugee status.
• No approvals have been received for other AAIP streams.

If approved, the applicant will receive a nomination certificate and an additional 600 CRS points. All that remains is to apply to IRCC for permanent residence.

Rural Renewal Stream

The program Rural Renewal Stream aims to support rural Alberta by attracting and retaining foreign workers. The program includes Alberta-designated communities. The community directly recruits temporary foreign workers and provides selected candidates with a letter of approval.

The community can also work together with partner organizations through the Economic Mobility Pathways Project (EMPP). They help find potential workers among refugees. The candidate receives a letter of approval from the community and a letter from the EMPP partner.

Rural Entrepreneur Stream

The program Rural Entrepreneur Stream is designed for experienced entrepreneurs looking to start a new business or acquire an existing business in rural Alberta. To participate in the program, you must meet the following criteria:

• Have a minimum of 3 years of experience as an operating business owner/manager, or 4 years of experience as a senior manager within the last 10 years.
• Completion of high school is the minimum threshold for participation in the program. For international students, the level of education must be equivalent to the Canadian standard with an Educational Capacities Assessment (ECA).
• Obtain a language proficiency score of at least four on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC).
• Net worth must be at least $300,000. All assets must be owned personally by the candidate or his/her spouse or common-law partner.
• A minimum investment of $100,000 in business from the candidate’s (and/or spouse’s) own capital.
• For a new business, the minimum ownership stake must be at least 51%. Business partners must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
• Fully own and operate the inherited business. In the case of sticky notes, the job creation criterion is not mandatory.
• New businesses must create at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for at least six months. Relatives do not count.
• Receive a letter of support from a participating rural Alberta community.

Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

This program, Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, is aimed at international students who have completed post-secondary or vocational education in Alberta. The applicant may be eligible for permanent residence if they wish to start or acquire a business in Alberta. Applicants are not eligible to start a business until their business application has been approved by the AAIP.

To participate in the program, you must meet the program criteria:

1. Have completed at least two years of full-time study leading to a degree or diploma from a public institution eligible for the Alberta Advanced Education program.
2. Possess a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) — this must be valid at the time of submitting your Expression of Interest (EOI).
3. Have a minimum score of seven on the Canadian Language Benchmark for English and Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) for French.
4. Open a new business or purchase an existing business in Alberta with at least 34% ownership. The proposed business must not be on the list of unacceptable businesses (provision of erotic services).

Tourism and Hospitality Stream

The program “Tourism and Hospitality Stream” is designed for skilled workers living and working in Alberta who have an offer of permanent employment in the tourism and hospitality industry.

Applicants must be legal residents of Alberta and have temporary resident status with the ability to work. Minimum language skills (CLB 4 or higher, depending on the occupation) and at least 9 months of Alberta work experience in the tourism and hospitality industry in the last 18 months are required.

A list of all tourism and hospitality activities available for this program is provided on the official section of the program.