Alberta Advantage Immigration Program(AAIP)
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) allows the province to choose a limited number of immigrants to meet critical skill shortages being experienced by Alberta employers. The AAIP supports Alberta’s economic growth by attracting and retaining work ready people to the province.
Applicants nominated by the province can apply for permanent residence through IRCC as a Provincial nominee. IRCC is the final authority on all permanent resident applications.
The Alberta PNP currently has the following streams and sub-categories:
Types of Immigration Streams:
The AAIP has 4 streams for Foreign Workers and 4 streams for Entrepreneurs who wish to live, work, buy or start a business in Alberta.
STREAMS FOR WORKERS
Streams for Workers comprises of the following:
STREAMS FOR ENTREPRENEURS
Streams for Entrepreneurs comprises of the following:
STREAMS FOR WORKERS
Streams for Workers comprises of the following:
- Alberta Opportunity Stream
- Alberta Express Entry Stream
- Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway
- Rural Renewal Stream
Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS)
The AOS is for eligible foreign nationals who are working in Alberta or international graduates who have completed their studies at an approved post-secondary institution in Alberta and a path towards Canadian Permanent Residence.
Working in Alberta:
In order to be eligible for the AOS, candidates must be currently working full-time in Alberta in an eligible occupation and satisfy minimum selection criteria for residency & employment status, occupation, language, education, work experience, and income level.
The Criteria for Worker Candidates are:
- Have a minimum of High school education in country of origin
- Have a job offer or Employment contract from an Alberta employer to work in current occupation in Alberta
- Have a minimum of 12 months of Full time work experience in an eligible occupation in Alberta within 18 months
- Have a minimum of 24 months of Full time work experience in current occupation in Canada (Outside Alberta) or/ abroad within last 30 months
- Have a valid temporary resident status and a valid Work permit status
- Be working in an eligible occupation in Alberta that matches previous work experience in TEER Category 0,1,2, or 3 of NOC 2021
- Meet standard English/ French language requirements of CLB 4 / to CLB 7
- Meet provincial minimum wage and benefits
- Other relevant requirements
International Graduates of Alberta
Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) is intended for skilled occupations for which formal education and/or specialized training in the intended occupation is embarked on by International students.
The Criteria for International Graduates of Alberta are:
- An international graduate must have obtained a diploma, degree, or have completed a graduate level program from a publicly funded community college, trade/technical school or university i.e.: Alberta Post-secondary institution
- Education program must have been a minimum of two years in duration at the undergraduate level or a minimum of one year at the graduate level.
- International graduate must have obtained permanent full time employment for a minimum of 6 months related to their field of study and hold a valid Post Graduate work permit
- Be working in an eligible Occupation related to their field of study
- Has a current Post Graduate work permit issued by IRCC
- Meet standard English/ French CLB 4 / to CLB 7 language requirements
- Meet standard Income requirements
- Show that they intend to live and work in Alberta permanently
Student Candidates should have education and skills that are aligned with Alberta’s Labour market needs to make use of the Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS).
Alberta Express Entry Stream
Candidates with profiles in the Express Entry pool will be selected directly by the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) and send them Notification of Interest (NOI) into their Federal Express Entry profile.
Alberta’s Express Entry Stream uses the Express Entry pool for eligible candidates with a CRS score of at least 300 who are working in an occupation that supports Alberta’s Economic development.
A candidate may receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) if:
- Has an active Express Entry Profile in the Federal Express Entry pool
- Has stated an interest in immigrating to Alberta
- Working in an occupation that supports Alberta’s economic development
- Has a minimum comprehensive ranking score of 300
- Has increased chances with adaptability factors such as a relative, Job offer or graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution
Alberta’s Express Entry Category is for Candidates with a profile in the Federal Express Entry System. AINP searches the Federal Express Entry system for candidates who meet the stream’s eligibility requirements and issues them Notifications of Interest (NOI) to apply for a Provincial Nomination for Permanent residence.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) ranks Express Entry candidates based on the points awarded for factors such as age, skilled worker experience, and education, proficiency in English or French.
Express Entry candidates who have at least a score of 300 and must be working in an occupation that supports Alberta’s Economic development will be selected and issued Notifications of Interest (NOI).
Candidates are prioritized based on work experience, job offer, degree from a Canadian institution and / or a parent, child, or sibling already living in Alberta.
Those candidates who receive a Provincial nomination are awarded an additional 600 points towards their Express Entry ranking score. This helps them move to the front of the line for an invitation to apply for Canadian Permanent residence.
Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway
This program is open to applicants who are currently working in Alberta’s Technology industry or who have received a job offer from that industry in 38 occupations identified by the province.
Applicants who are currently working or have a job offer with an Alberta-based Tech Industry employer in a qualifying technology occupation may be selected from across Canada and overseas.
To be considered for this stream, Express Entry candidates must:
- Have an active Express Entry profile with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 300
- Have a full-time job or job offer with an Alberta technology employer in an occupation
- Complete an online form with the AAIP providing information about their Express Entry profile and their Tech job in Alberta
Once a candidate submits the online form, the AAIP then verifies that they meet the minimum eligibility criteria to apply. Candidates who meet the minimum eligibility criteria will receive an email from the AAIP inviting them to submit a complete application to be considered for a nomination.
Completed applications are placed in a pool of eligible applications. These applications are then reviewed by the AAIP for Provincial Nomination.
Rural Renewal Stream
This stream is for candidates with a job offer from an Alberta employer to work in a rural Alberta community and must:
- Have a letter of Support / Endorsement of the applicant from their Nominated community
- Have a full-time job offer from an Alberta employer to work in an eligible occupation in their designated community
- Have the required licenses, registration or certification to practice their current occupation in Alberta or the occupation listed in their job offer in Alberta
- Have a minimum of 12 months of full-time work experience in an Eligible occupation in the 18 months prior to their application, either in Alberta, elsewhere in Canada or abroad;
- Meet the English or French language requirements with CLB 4 or 5
- Have completed a minimum of high school education equivalent to the Canadian education standard or a foreign degree, diploma or certificate;
- Demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family members to settle in the designated community, if they are not residing in Canada, or if they are currently in Canada but not working.
STREAMS FOR ENTREPRENEURS
Streams for Entrepreneurs comprises of the following:
Farm Stream
AAIP is designed to assist Farm owner/operators with proven managing skills and significant financial resources, to develop a farming business in Alberta. Alberta nominates farm owner/operators who intend to immigrate, purchase and manage a farming business in Alberta.
Criteria for the Farmer Stream
- Farm owner/operator category is restricted to Primary agriculture enterprises
- Priority to applicants purchasing farming enterprises which assist in growth relevant to Alberta’s Agri-food growth targets
- Applicants Farming Plan aligns with Alberta Farming Industry requirements
Applicants should prove Farm management skills through any combination of the following:
- Financial documentation of their existing farm enterprise
- Documentation of their education, training and work experience
- Proposed Business plan for the farming enterprise being considered in Alberta
- Document their investment intentions through their proposed business plans
- Proof of Canadian financial institution willingness to finance the proposed farming enterprise.
Applicants must also meet other Requirements:
- Invest a minimum of $500,000 of equity in a farming enterprise in Alberta.
- Demonstrate that they have a minimum net worth of $500,000 Cdn or confirmation of access to a similar amount of funds from any other sources
- Sufficient financial resources to develop a sustainable farming operation
- Attend an Interview with a Government Representative to demonstrate their financial capability and interests in investing in a farming enterprise in Alberta
A Farmer Applicant will initially seek an assessment from Alberta Agriculture and Food Department. As part of this assessment, an applicant will be required to attend an interview, conducted by the officials of the Government of Alberta, to assist in determining their eligibility under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program.
Successful PNP applicants nominated by the Government of Alberta will be required to meet all Federal Government statutory requirements regarding health, criminal and security checks before an immigration visa is issued.
Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
This stream enables International Graduates to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) who want to start a Business or buy an existing business in Alberta.
In order to immigrate under this stream, Candidates must meet the following Criteria:
- Be 21 to 49 years’ old
- An international graduate must have obtained a diploma, degree, or have completed a graduate level program from a publicly funded community college, trade/technical school or university, authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees in Alberta or Canadas
- Education program must have been a minimum of two years in duration at the undergraduate level or a minimum of one year at the graduate level.
- Have a minimum of 6 months of Full time work experience that can be a combination of actively managing or owning the business or equivalencies
- Must start a new business or buy an existing business with 34% ownership
- Business partners must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents
- Applicants establish or operate an eligible business on a PG Work Permit
- Has a current Post Graduate work permit issued by IRCC
- Meet standard English/ French language requirements with CLB 7
- Show that they intend to live and work in Alberta permanently
Graduate Entrepreneur Stream Process involves the following steps:
Step1: Submit an Expression of Interest
Step2: Submit Business Application Package
Step3: Business Application Assessment
Step4: Establish Business in Alberta
Step5: Final Report for AAIP Nomination
Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
This stream is for foreign nationals who graduated from outside Canada and wish to launch Start-up-businesses or innovative business with a designated Agency in Alberta should submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
In order to immigrate under this stream, Candidates must meet the following Criteria:
- A Foreign graduate must have obtained a diploma, degree, or have completed a graduate level program within the last 10 years equivalent to Canadian degree
- Have a minimum of 6 months of Full time work experience that can be a combination of actively managing or owning the business or work experience with a business incubator or business accelerator
- You must have 34% ownership within Urban center or 51% ownership outside Calgary or Edmonton
- Business investment of CAD $ 100,000 in an Urban Centre or CAD $ 50,000 if in a regional area (The more you invest, the more points you will gain 5-25)
- Business investment from own equity, or from Canadian financial institution, venture capital or angel investment firm.
- Business partners must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents
- Letter of Recommendation from AAIP approved designated agency
- Settlement funds to set up your business & support yourself
- Business partners must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents
- Submit a Business Plan with projected financials according to guidelines
- Submit a 10-minute presentation that outlines the proposed business
- Meet standard English/ French language requirements with CLB 5 or more
- Business should be in key or priority sectors such as: Technology, Aerospace, Financial services, Energy, Agriculture, Tourism, Life Sciences, Pharmaceuticals etc.
- Meet the Points Pass/Fail Assessment grid in order to qualify under this stream
- Show that they intend to live and work in Alberta permanently
Rural Entrepreneur Stream
Entrepreneurs who want to start a business or buy an existing business in a rural Alberta community can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
In order to immigrate under this stream, Candidates must meet the following Criteria:
- Must be 29 – 49 years of age
- 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;
- Have completed a minimum of high school equivalent to the Canadian standard
- Have a minimum CLB level of 4 for each English language skill or NCLC of 4 for each French language skill: reading, writing, listening, and speaking
- Have a minimum net worth of $300,000 in personal holdings or those of a spouse’s or common-law partner
- To have a minimum shareholding of 51% if it is a new company or 100% in the case of a buyout
- Minimum investment of $100,000 or more from Candidates own equity
- New businesses must create at least one full-time job for Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents
- Have a Community Support Letter from a participating rural Alberta community
- Candidates must complete an Exploratory visit
Rural Entrepreneur Stream Process involves the following steps:
Step1: An exploratory visit to meet with local business contacts to learn about and understand the local business environment
Step2: Provide the community contact with a copy of the Rural Entrepreneur Stream Business Proposal summary
Step3: A Community Support Letter will be issued if the project will have a positive impact on the community.
Step4: Once the Entrepreneur receives Community Support Letter, he can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to AAIP.
A New Beginning
Canada wants to attract new immigrants on an annual basis with the emphasis firmly focused on immigrants with economic and professional skills from every part of the world.
In Canada you can start a new life, with never-ending opportunities ahead of you. We will help you plan your transition to the new way of life in Canada carefully, patiently and knowledgably.
If you have questions regarding your eligibility to immigrate to Canada as a Provincial Skilled worker, we invite you to Contact us
