Alberta Advantage Immigration Program

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), now known as the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), targets individuals with the skills needed to address labor shortages in Alberta. This program accepts applications from skilled workers through the Alberta Opportunity Pathway and the Express Entry system. Additionally, it manages two business immigration pathways: the Farmer Self-Employed Pathway and the Overseas Graduate Entrepreneur Pathway. The Alberta Canada Provincial Nominee Program is administered by the Government of Alberta in collaboration with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Candidates interested in immigrating to Canada through the AINP must follow a two-stage process:

• Apply for Provincial Nomination with the Government of Alberta.
• Apply for a Canada PR Visa with the Federal Government if nominated.

Each year, IRCC allocates a specific number of nominations to the AINP.

Different AINP Immigration Pathways

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) offers four immigration pathways for candidates:

• Alberta Opportunity Pathway
• Express Entry Pathway
• Farmer Self-Employed Pathway
• Overseas Graduate Entrepreneur Pathway

Minimum Requirements for AINP Opportunity Pathway

To be eligible for the Alberta Opportunity Pathway, candidates must meet several Alberta PNP requirements at the time of application submission and assessment by the AINP unless stated otherwise.

Work Visa and Residency

Qualified candidates must have valid Provisional Resident status in Canada, authorizing them to work. The valid Work Visa must be based on one of the following:

• Affirmative LMIA (Labor Market Impact Assessment)
• LMIA exemption through inter-company transferees, international trade agreements, Mobilité Francophone, or International Experience
• Post-graduate Work Visa

Candidates must also be employed in an eligible occupation.

Ineligible Candidates

• Refugees under removal or appeal proceedings
• Provisional residents living outside Alberta
• Provisional residents on restoration or implied status

Additional Requirements for Post-Graduate Work Visa Holders

Candidates with a Post-Graduate Work Visa must meet extra requirements. Their current occupation must be related to their field of study in Alberta.

For those enrolled and admitted to their program before April 1, 2019, qualifications must be from an authorized institution and include one of the following:

• Post-Graduate Certificate or Certificate of at least 1 year
• Minimum 2-year Diploma Program
• Bachelor’s Degree at the undergraduate level
• Diploma, Certificate, or Degree at the graduate level

For those enrolled and admitted on or after April 1, 2019, qualifications must be on the approved list of the Alberta Opportunity Pathway.

Occupation Requirements

To be eligible for Alberta immigration, you must be employed in a qualified occupation in Alberta. Most occupations under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Levels D, C, B, A, and 0 are eligible for the AINP. Alberta does not prioritize candidates based on a specific list of occupations but does have a list of disqualified occupations. Eligible in-demand occupations in Alberta include:

• Managerial Occupations
• Applied and Natural Sciences Occupations
• Finance and Business Administration Occupations
• Occupations in Religion, Government Service, Education, and Social Science
• Health Occupations
• Sales and Service Occupations
• Occupations in Sport, Recreation, Culture, and Art
• Manufacturing, Processing, and Utilities Occupations
• Equipment, Transport, Trades, and Operators Occupations

Language Requirements

You must provide language test results demonstrating a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 4 in all language skills in either French (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens - NCLC) or English at the time of application submission. This applies to most NOC codes.

Exception: Applicants under NOC Code 3413 (Patient Service Associates, Orderlies, and Nurse Aides) must provide a language test score of at least CLB or NCLC Level 7 in each language skill.

Note: From January 1, 2020, candidates applying under NOC B, A, and 0 must meet a language requirement of at least CLB or NCLC Level 5.

Education Requirements

At the time of application, you must have completed at least a high school education in your country of origin. From January 1, 2021, this education must be equivalent to Alberta’s high school standards.

Work Experience Requirements

When applying, you must have:

• At least 12 months of full-time work experience in your current occupation in Alberta within the past 18 months; OR
• At least 24 months of full-time work experience in your current occupation in Canada or abroad within the past 30 months. This can include a combination of experience in Alberta, outside Alberta, and internationally.

For Post-Graduation Work Visa holders:

• At least six months of work experience in your current occupation in Alberta within the past 18 months; AND
• The occupation must be related to your field of study, with credentials from an approved institution in Alberta.

Additional Requirements

• You must have the necessary certification, registration, or licensing to work in your current occupation in Alberta.
• You must have a full-time, valid job offer from an employer in Alberta for your current occupation and be employed full-time with that employer in Alberta.

The job offer must include:

• Continuous paid work
• Full-time employment (at least 30 hours per week for one year)
• Employment in your current occupation
• Employment in a qualified occupation under the AINP for which you have a valid Work Visa meeting AINP requirements.

Alberta Express Entry Pathway

The Alberta PNP allows the province to nominate a select number of eligible candidates from the Federal Express Entry pool. The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) directly chooses these candidates. To apply, candidates must first receive a Notification of Interest.

This pathway is designed for individuals with strong ties to Alberta who can contribute to the province’s economy and diversity. It also welcomes international graduates.

Requirements for the Alberta Express Entry Stream

To be eligible for a Notification of Interest, candidates must:

• Have an active profile in the Canada Express Entry pool.
• Express a desire to permanently immigrate to Alberta.
• Work in an occupation that supports Alberta’s economic development and diversification.

Additionally, candidates with the following characteristics may receive priority:

• Strong ties to Alberta through family, employment, or education
• A job offer from an employer in Alberta
• Graduation from an approved post-secondary institution in Alberta

Note: International candidates and those working in specific occupations may receive a Notification of Interest, even if their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is below 300.