/AAIP/
Introduction
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), formerly the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), is an economic immigration program that nominates people for permanent residence in Alberta. Nominees must have skills to fill job shortages or be planning to buy or start a business in Alberta. They must also be able to provide for their families. The program is run by the governments of Alberta and Canada.
The AAIP has 3 streams for foreign workers who are living and working in Alberta, or plan to live and work here:
The AAIP has 4 streams for entrepreneurs who plan to live in Alberta and buy or start a business in the province:
- Rural Entrepreneur Stream
- Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
- Farm Stream
- Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
Alberta Opportunity Stream
The Alberta Opportunity Stream is for temporary foreign workers who are already working full-time in Alberta and have a full-time job offer from an Alberta employer in an eligible occupation. Candidates must have a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or hold one of the accepted LMIA exemption work permits. Candidates must also meet other minimum eligibility criteria for residency and work permit type, occupation, language, education, Alberta job offer and work experience.
Requirements:
- Residency, work permit requirements：
- At the time your application is submitted, and at the time the AAIP assesses your application, you must have a valid work permit – not status maintained during processing (formerly implied status) or restoration status
- Valid work permits are based on one of the following:
- a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
- a LMIA exemption for workers based on international trade agreements, workers transferred within a company, International Experience Canada, Mobilité Francophone, R205(d) for religious work, or an open work permit to vulnerable workers or the family members of a vulnerable worker
- a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) held by a graduate of an Alberta Advanced Education publicly funded post-secondary institution
- an open work permit issued under one of IRCC’s open work permit public policies
- Occupation requirements:
- At the time your application is submitted, and at the time the AAIP assesses your application, you must work in an eligible occupation in Alberta.
- Your current occupation must match your job offer and work experience at the time your application is submitted and at the time the AAIP assesses your application
- If you are a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holder, your occupation must also be related to your field of study in Alberta
- Language requirements:
- If working in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation, have a language proficiency at or higher than CLB5
- If working in a NOC TEER 4 or 5 occupation, have a language proficiency at or higher than CLB4
- If applying under NOC 33102 (nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates), have a language proficiency at or higher than CLB7
- Education requirements:
- All applicants except Post-Graduation Work Permit holders:
- completed a minimum of high school education equivalent to Canadian standards
- for education outside of Canada, you must submit an ECA
- Post-Graduation Work Permit holders:
- If you started attending your Alberta credential program before April 1, 2019, your credential must be one of the following Alberta Advanced Education approved credentials:
- certificate or post-diploma certificate or post-baccalaureate certificate (minimum 1 year in length)
- diploma program (minimum 2 years in length)
- undergraduate bachelor’s degree
- graduate level degree
- graduate level certificate
- graduate level diploma
- If you started attending your Alberta credential program on or after April 1, 2019, your credential must be one of the following Alberta Advanced Education approved credentials:
- post-diploma certificate or post-baccalaureate certificate (minimum 1 year in length)
- diploma program (minimum 2 years in length)
- undergraduate bachelor’s degree
- graduate level degree
- graduate level certificate
- graduate level diploma
- If you started attending your Alberta credential program before April 1, 2019, your credential must be one of the following Alberta Advanced Education approved credentials:
- All applicants except Post-Graduation Work Permit holders:
- Work experience requirements:
- Have a minimum of 12 months full-time work experience in your current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months, or
- Have a minimum of 24 months of full-time work experience in your current occupation in Canada or abroad within the last 30 months or both – this work experience can be a combination of experience gained in Alberta, in Canada (outside Alberta) or abroad, or
- Post-Graduation Work Permit holders: Have a minimum of 6 months full-time work experience in your current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months. Work experience gained while studying in Canada and doing co-op work placements or internships as part of a study program is accepted if paid co-op work terms is a part of your program of study at an Alberta post-secondary institution
- Licensing, registration and certification requirements:
- You must have the required licensing, registration or certification to work in your current occupation in Alberta
- If you are working in a compulsory trade in Alberta, you must have a valid Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Trade (AIT) recognized trade certificate
- If you are working as childcare worker, you must have valid certification as a Level 2 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Worker) or Level 3 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Supervisor)
- Job offer requirements:
- Have a bona fide full-time job offer or employment contract from an Alberta employer to work in your current occupation in Alberta
Ineligible applicants:
- Refugee claimants or individuals involved in a federal appeal or removal process – the AAIP does not intervene in the federal refugee claim, appeal or removal process
- Temporary residents living or working in a province or territory of Canada other than Alberta, or
- Foreign nationals living or working in Canada who do not have valid temporary resident status
Ineligible occupations:
| NOC Code (2021) | NOC TEER category | Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| 00010 | 0 | Legislators |
| 40021 | 0 | School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education |
| 40030 | 0 | Managers in social, community and correctional services |
| 40041 | 0 | Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers |
| 60040* | 0 | Escort agency managers, massage parlour managers |
| 41100 | 1 | Judges |
| 41220 | 1 | Secondary school teachers |
| 41221 | 1 | Elementary school and kindergarten teachers |
| 51111 | 1 | Authors and writers (except technical) |
| 51122 | 1 | Musicians and singers |
| 42200* | 2 | Justices of the peace |
| 42202* | 2 | Early childhood educators who do not have certification through Alberta Children’s Services – Child Care Staff Certification Office or who have been certified as Level 1 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Assistant) |
| 43100 | 3 | Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants |
| 43109 | 3 | Other instructors |
| 53121 | 3 | Actors, comedians and circus performers |
| 53122 | 3 | Painters, sculptors and other visual artists |
| 53124 | 3 | Artisans and craftspersons |
| 53200 | 3 | Athletes |
| 63101 | 3 | Real estate agents and salespersons |
| 33100* | 3 | Dental laboratory assistants/bench workers |
| 44100 | 4 | Home child care providers |
| 44101 | 4 | Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations |
| 64321 | 4 | Casino occupations |
| 55109 | 5 | Other performers |
| 65109 | 5 | Other sales related occupations |
| 65211 | 5 | Operators and attendants in amusement, recreation and sport |
| 65229 | 5 | Other support occupations in personal services |
| 65329 | 5 | Other service support occupations |
| 75200 | 5 | Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs |
| 85101 | 5 | Harvesting labourers |
| 85102 | 5 | Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers |
| 85104 | 5 | Trappers and hunters |
| 85110 | 5 | Mine labourers |
| 85121 | 5 | Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers |
Alberta Express Entry Stream
The Alberta Express Entry Stream allows Alberta to nominate a limited number of qualified candidates from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Express Entry system.
General Alberta Express Entry Stream：Candidates who have demonstrated strong ties to Alberta or who can help support the government’s economic development and diversification priorities may be asked to submit an application. International graduates from Canadian post-secondary institutions may also be asked to apply under this stream.
Accelerated Tech Pathway：Under the Alberta Express Entry Stream, candidates may be selected for expedited processing if they are currently working for, or have a job offer with, an Alberta-based tech industry employer in an eligible tech occupation. Refer to the list of eligible Accelerated Tech Pathway occupations.
General Alberta Express Entry Stream Requirements:
- Have an active Express Entry profile in the federal Express Entry pool
- Have stated an interest in immigrating permanently to Alberta
- Your primary occupation in your federal Express Entry profile is an occupation that supports Alberta’s economic development and diversification
- Are working in an occupation that supports Alberta’s economic development and diversification
- Have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 300.
The factors may increase likelihood of receiving a Notification of Interest letter:
- you have an Alberta job offer and/or work experience
- you are a graduate of a Canadian post-secondary institution
- you have a parent, child, brother and/or sister who is a permanent resident living in Alberta, or a Canadian citizen living in Alberta
- French is your first language
Accelerated Tech Pathway Requirements:
- Have an active Express Entry profile in the federal Express Entry pool
- Have stated an interest in immigrating permanently to Alberta
- Are working full-time in Alberta or have a job offer for full-time employment based in Alberta in an occupation on the list of eligible AINP Tech Industry Pilot occupations and for an employer that is part of the Alberta tech industry as defined by the AINP list of eligible North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes
- Have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 300
- The primary occupation in EE profile is the same occupation as current Alberta employment or job offer
List of eligible Tech occupations:
| NOC Code (2021) | Occupation |
| 00012 | Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services |
| 10011 | Human resources managers |
| 10022 | Advertising, marketing and public relations manager |
| 10030 | Telecommunication carriers manager |
| 11200 | Human resources professionals |
| 11202 | Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations |
| 12101 | Human resources and recruitment officers |
| 20010 | Engineering managers |
| 20011 | Architecture and science managers |
| 20012 | Computer and information systems managers |
| 21210 | Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries |
| 21211 | Data scientists |
| 21220 | Cybersecurity specialists |
| 21221 | Business system specialists |
| 21222 | Information systems specialists |
| 21233 | Web designers |
| 21223 | Database analysts and data administrators |
| 21231 | Software engineers and designers |
| 21230 | Computer systems developers and programmers |
| 21232 | Software developers and programmers |
| 21234 | Web developers and programmers |
| 21300 | Civil engineers |
| 21301 | Mechanical engineers |
| 21310 | Electrical and electronics engineers |
| 21311 | Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) |
| 22110 | Biological technologists and technicians |
| 22212 | Drafting technologists and technicians |
| 22220 | Computer network and web technicians |
| 22221 | User support technicians |
| 22222 | Information systems testing technicians |
| 22301 | Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians |
| 22302 | Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians |
| 22310 | Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians |
| 32120 | Medical laboratory technologists |
| 32129 | Other medical technologists and technicians |
| 33101 | Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations |
| 41402 | Business development officers and market researchers and analysts |
| 50011 | Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts |
| 51120 | Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations |
| 52120 | Graphic designers and illustrators |
| 60010 | Corporate sales managers |
| 72200 | Electricians (except industrial and power system) |
| 72201 | Industrial electricians |
| 72205 | Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians |
List of eligible Tech NAICS codes:
- 2211 Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution
- 3251 Basic Chemical Manufacturing
- 3254 Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing
- 3333 Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing
- 3341 Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing
- 3342 Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- 3343 Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing
- 3344 Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing
- 3345 Navigational, Medical and Control Instruments Manufacturing
- 3346 Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media
- 3364 Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing
- 4173 Computer and Communications Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
- 5112 Software Publishers
- 5121 Motion Picture and Video Industries
- 5173 Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carrier (except Satellite)
- 5174 Satellite Telecommunications
- 5179 Other Telecommunications
- 5182 Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services
- 5191 Other Information Services
- 5413 Architectural, Engineering and Related services
- 5414 Specialized Design Services
- 5415 Computer Systems Design and Related Services
- 5417 Scientific Research and Development Services
- 5419 Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
- 7115 Independent Artists, Writers and Performers
- 8112 Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
Rural Renewal Stream
The Rural Renewal Stream supports the attraction and retention of newcomers to rural Alberta through a community-driven approach that supports local economic development needs and contributes to the The Rural Entrepreneur Stream allows Alberta to nominate qualified and capable entrepreneurs who want to start a new or buy an existing business in a rural Alberta community. The Rural Entrepreneur Stream is an economic immigration program. Entrepreneurs who want to start a business or buy an existing business in a rural Alberta community can submit an Expression of Interest.
Requirements：
- At the time your application is submitted and at the time the AAIP assesses your application, you must intend to and be able to reside and work in your designated community in Alberta
- Have an Endorsement of Candidate letter issued by the Economic Development Organization (EDO) of your designated rural community in Alberta
- At the time your application is submitted, and at the time the AAIP assesses your application, you must have a bona fide full-time job offer or employment contract from an Alberta employer to work in an eligible occupation in designated community
- Minimum of 5 for each language skill if your job offer is for NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation; Minimum of 4 for each language skill if your job offer is for NOC TEER 4 or 5 occupation
- Have completed a minimum of high school education equivalent to the Canadian education standard or a foreign degree, diploma or certificate. You must provide a copy of an ECA
- Demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family members to settle in your designated community if you are not residing in Canada, or you are currently in Canada but are not working.
- Meet the following licensing, registration and certification requirements：
- have the required licensing, registration or certification to work in your current occupation in Alberta or occupation in your Alberta job offer
- have a valid Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Trade (AIT) recognized trade certificate if you are working in a compulsory trade in Alberta
- have valid certification as a Level 2 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Worker) or Level 3 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Supervisor) prior to applying to AAIP if you are working as childcare worker in Alberta
- Qualifying work experience requirements：
- Have a minimum of 12 months full-time work experience in an eligible occupation within the last 18 months prior to your application; this work experience can be a combination of experience gained in Alberta, in Canada (outside Alberta) or abroad.
- not have been gained while studying in Canada and doing co-op work placements or internships as part of a study program, unless you are a PGWP holder who completed paid co-op work terms as a part of your program of study at an Alberta post-secondary institution.
- Post-Graduation Work Permit holders who have completed a two-year post-secondary education program at an IRCC designated learning institution in their designated community are not required to meet the 12 months of work experience criterion.
- Work experience meet the following requirements:
| TEER Category of job offer or current occupation is: | TEER Category of work experience must be: |
|---|---|
| TEER 0 | TEER 0 or 1 |
| TEER 1 | TEER 0, 1 or 2 |
| TEER 2 | TEER 1, 2, 3 or 4 |
| TEER 3 | TEER 1, 2, 3 or 4 |
| TEER 4 | TEER 2, 3, 4 or 5 |
| TEER 5 | TEER 5 and must be in the same occupation – NOC code |
List of designated communities
| Community | Designation Date |
|---|---|
| City of Brooks (including: Town of Bassano, Village of Duchess, County of Newell, Village of Rosemary) | May 13, 2022 |
| City of Grande Prairie | July 6, 2022 |
| Town of Whitecourt | July 20, 2022 |
| Town of Taber (including: Municipal District of Taber, Town of Vauxhall) | July 20, 2022 |
| Town of Innisfail | September 9, 2022 |
| Municipal District of Smoky River (including: Town of Falher, Town of McLennan, Village of Donnelly, Village of Girouxville) | September 9, 2022 |
| County of Grande Prairie (including: Town of Sexsmith, Town of Wembley) | September 9, 2022 |
| Town of Trochu | September 9, 2022 |
| Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo | September 9, 2022 |
| Municipality of Jasper | September 13, 2022 |
| Town of Edson | November 8, 2022 |
| County of Barrhead (including: Town of Barrhead) | November 8, 2022 |
| Big Lakes County (including: Town of High Prairie) | November 8, 2022 |
| Town of Hinton | November 8, 2022 |
Ineligible occupations：
| NOC Code (2021) | NOC TEER category | Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| 00010 | 0 | Legislators |
| 60040* | 0 | Escort agency managers, massage parlour managers |
| 41100 | 1 | Judges |
| 51111 | 1 | Authors and writers (except technical) |
| 51122 | 1 | Musicians and singers |
| 42200* | 2 | Justices of the peace |
| 53121 | 3 | Actors, comedians and circus performers |
| 53122 | 3 | Painters, sculptors and other visual artists |
| 53124 | 3 | Artisans and craftspersons |
| 53200 | 3 | Athletes |
| 33100* | 3 | Dental laboratory bench workers |
| 44100 | 4 | Home child care providers |
| 44101 | 4 | Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations |
| 64321 | 4 | Casino Occupations |
| 55109 | 5 | Other performers |
| 65229 | 5 | Other support occupations in personal services |
| 85101 | 5 | Harvesting Labourers |
Settlement Funds Requirement：
Population size of the community and funds required | |||
| Number of family members | Less than 1,000 | 1,000 to 30,000 | 30,000 to 99,999 |
| 1 | $8,922 | $10,151 | $11,093 |
| 2 | $11,107 | $12,636 | $13,810 |
| 3 | $13,655 | $15,534 | $16,977 |
| 4 | $16,579 | $18,861 | $20,613 |
| 5 | $18,803 | $21,392 | $23,379 |
| 6 | $21,208 | $24,127 | $26,367 |
| 7 | $23,611 | $26,861 | $29,356 |
| Amount of funds required for each additional family member | $2,404 | $2,735 | $2,989 |
Rural Entrepreneur Stream
The Rural Entrepreneur Stream is an economic immigration program. Entrepreneurs who want to start a business or buy an existing business in a rural Alberta community can submit an Expression of Interest.
Requirements：
- Have either a minimum 3 years of experience as an active business owner/manager or a minimum of 4 years of experience as a senior manager within the past 10 years
- Completed a minimum of high school equivalent to the Canadian standard with an Education Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 4 for each language skill
- Minimum net worth of $300,000. All assets must be candidate’s own personal holdings or spouse’s or common-law partner’s
- Minimum investment of $200,000 from candidate’s own (and/or spouse/common-law partner) equity
- Minimum ownership of 51% for a new business. Business Partners must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents; OR 100% ownership for business succession (the succession buy-out must result in a complete change in ownership where the candidate will assume full control of the business)
- New businesses must create at least one full-time job for Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents (not including relatives)
- Candidates must have a Community Support Letter from a participating rural Alberta community
Factors that increase your chances：
- Economic Benefit：Business succession
- Age：21 to 49
- Spouse： Your spouse/common-law partner has one of the following:
- completed at least one year of full-time post-secondary education (Certificate, Associate Degree, Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree or higher) or
- a minimum level Canadian Language Benchmark 4
- Alberta relative：Relatives are defined as father, step-father, mother, step-mother, child, step-child, sister, step-sister, brother, step-brother of candidate or spouse or common-law partner
Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
The Graduate Entrepreneur Stream allows the AAIP to nominate qualified international graduates from Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to establish or operate a business in Alberta to apply for permanent residence.
Requirements：
- Have completed at least two years of full-time education, resulting in a degree or diploma from an eligible Alberta post-secondary institution
- Have a valid PGWP at the time you submit your Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7
- Establish a new business or buy an existing business in Alberta with a minimum 34% ownership
Factors that increase your chances:
- Work experience: Have a minimum of 6 months of work experience that can be a combination of actively managing or owning the business or equivalent; equivalencies include experience with a business incubator or business accelerator, or completion of entrepreneurship program courses
- Economic benefit: Can provide economic benefit to Alberta through: job creation, economic sector, business location (for example, rural), business succession, investment, developed intellectual property, partnership or support from business incubator/accelerator, venture capital or angel investor
- Age: 21 to 49 years
- Spouse: Your spouse or common-law partner has at least one of the following:
- at least 1 year of continuous full-time employment in Alberta
- completed at least 2 years of full-time study at a post-secondary institution in Alberta
- a minimum level CLB 5
- Alberta relative: You, or your spouse or common-law partner, have one or more of the following relatives living full-time in Alberta: father, step-father, mother, step-mother, child, step-child, sister, step-sister, brother, step-brother
Farm Stream
This stream is for entrepreneurs who have the financial resources and farm management experience to establish a new or purchase an existing farm in Alberta.
Candidates must submit their application, along with a proposed business plan, to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) for assessment. The AAIP will consult with Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development to ensure the business plan is feasible and viable, and meets the needs of Alberta’s agriculture industry.
Requirements:
- Have farm management skills, such as: financial documentation of an existing farm business, documentation of education, training and work experience, a proposed business plan for the farming enterprise you are considering in Alberta, or proof that a Canadian financial institution is willing to finance your proposed farming business
- Invest a minimum $500,000 of equity in a primary production farming business in Alberta
- Have a personal net worth higher than $500,000, or confirmation of the ability to access a similar amount of funds from other sources
Ineligibility：
- have an active nomination that has not expired and/or is eligible for extension under another AAIP stream. Candidates are only eligible for one AAIP Nomination Certificate.
- have been issued a letter on a previous AAIP application that stated you are not eligible to re-apply to the AAIP for a specified period of time. If you apply during the specified period, it will be declined.
- have had a removal order issued against you by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or Canada Border Services Agency. The AAIP does not intervene in the federal refugee claim, appeal or removal process.
- are a foreign national living or working in Canada with no valid temporary resident status.
- are a live-in caregivers currently living in Canada
- are working and residing as a temporary foreign worker in a province other than Alberta
- are an international student studying in Canada, including students doing co-op work placements or internships as part of their study program
Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is an economic immigration program for qualified foreign educated graduates from outside of Canada who want to launch start-up enterprises and innovative businesses in Alberta.
Requirements:
- Have a minimum of 6 months of full-time work experience that can be a combination of actively managing or owning the business or equivalent (equivalencies are work experience with business incubator or business accelerator)
- Have completed a degree from a post-secondary institution within the last 10 years; ECA required
- Submit a business plan with projected financials
- Prepare a 10-minute presentation
- At least CLB of 5 for each language skill (reading, writing, listening and speaking)
- Have at least 34% ownership for business located in an urban centre, or at least 51% ownership for business located outside Calgary and Edmonton Census Metropolitan Areas
- A minimum level of investment from candidate’s (or spouse or common-law partner) own equity or from a recognized Canadian financial institution, venture capital, or angel investment firm prior to coming to Alberta. Invest at least CAD $100,000 for business located in an urban centre, or at least CAD$50,000 for a regional area
- Have a recommendation letter from AINP-approved designated agency
- Demonstrate that they have the funds needed to set up their business and support themselves while they are on a work permit and launching their start-up
Settlement funds requirement:
| Population size of community and funds required | |||||
| Number of family members | Less than 1,000 | 1,000 to 30,000 | 30,000 to 99,999 | 100,000 to 499,999 | 500,000 and over |
| 1 | $8,922 | $10,151 | $11,093 | $12,961 | $12,960 |
| 2 | $11,107 | $12,636 | $13,810 | $16,135 | $16,135 |
| 3 | $13,655 | $15,534 | $16,977 | $19,836 | $19,836 |
| 4 | $16,579 | $18,861 | $20,613 | $24,084 | $24,083 |
| 5 | $18,803 | $21,392 | $23,379 | $27,315 | $27,315 |
| 6 | $21,208 | $24,127 | $26,367 | $30,807 | $30,806 |
| 7 | $23,611 | $26,861 | $29,356 | $34,299 | $34,299 |
