Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, formerly known as the AINP. Western Canada’s Alberta is home to two of the country’s biggest towns, Calgary and Edmonton. It is also the most populous of Canada’s three “Prairie provinces.” It is also known as one of the most beautiful places in North America, with well-known national parks like Jasper and Banff. Alberta is a wealthy state with lots of natural resources and beauty.

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), which used to be called the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program, is run by the state. An Alberta Provincial Nomination Certificate can be given to people who want to move to Alberta and have the skills and work experience that the province needs.

Alberta’s Immigration streams

You can choose from eight different ways to move to Alberta if you want to. You can use this page to help you figure out which type of immigration is best for you.

Streams for workers

• Alberta Opportunity Stream for skilled workers in Alberta who are already working in an occupation that is eligible.
• Alberta General Express Entry Stream or people in the Express Entry (EE) system who have a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 300 and are working in an eligible occupation.
• Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway falls under the Express Entry stream and is open to people who are working in Alberta’s technology industry or who have a job offer from that industry in one of 38 jobs that the state has identified.
• Rural Renewal Stream people who have been offered jobs by employers in Alberta and want to work in a rural area of Alberta.

Streams for entrepreneurs 

• Farm Stream for those who want to run farming business in Alberta.
• Graduate Entrepreneur Stream for foreign students who have graduated from a certain post-secondary school in Alberta and want to start a business in Alberta.
• Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream for those who finished from school outside of Canada and want to start a business in Alberta.
• Rural Entrepreneur Stream for business owners in rural Alberta who want to buy a business or start their own.

Alberta Opportunity Stream

Under the Alberta Opportunity Stream, foreigners who work in Alberta and overseas college graduates who finished their studies at a recognized post-secondary school in Alberta can apply for a provincial nomination.

Application Fee: CAD $500

How it works:

Individuals who want to apply under the Alberta Opportunity Stream, have to use the AAIP online to fill out their application. After that, applicants will have to pay the online application fee and send in certain papers based on their own situations.

Minimum Requirements:

• Individuals who want to apply must have a valid work pass;
• Must be working in an eligible job in Alberta that matches the skills you have;
• A Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of at least 4 or 5, based on the job
• At least a high school diploma;
• They must have worked for at least 12 months in Alberta in the last 18 months or 24 months in Canada in the last 30 months.

Alberta Express Entry Stream

Alberta can suggest people who already have a profile in the federal Express Entry system through the Express Entry stream. The government of Alberta may ask people who have ties to the state and the skills to help its economy grow to submit an application.

People who apply through Express Entry and get a recommendation from Alberta get an extra 600 CRS points. This almost ensures that you will be invited to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.

Application Fee: CAD $500

How it works:

Individuals who have been invited can use the Alberta Express Entry Stream. People who have profiles on Express Entry may get a Notification of Interest (NOI) from the Alberta government in the federal system. After being invited, candidates have a short time to let the province know that they want to be considered for selection in this stream.

If a candidate is chosen, the AAIP will send them an invitation to apply for provincial nomination by completing all the necessary paperwork through the AAIP website.

Minimum Requirements:

• You have to be in the Express Entry pool;
• Must have expressed that they wanted to move to Alberta permanently;
• Should be working in a job that helps Alberta’s economy grow and become more diverse;
• A Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 300.

Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway

These are the steps to get into Canada quickly as a tech worker with a profile in the federal government’s Express Entry system and the ability to use the Alberta Express Entry Stream. If someone thinks they meet the requirements for this stream, they can fill out an online form on the AAIP site and request to be evaluated under this stream.  If the candidate passes the minimum requirements, the AAIP lets the AINP know, and the candidate is then asked to apply for a provincial nomination. 

Application Fee: CAD $500

How it works:

People who meet the requirements for the Alberta Express Entry stream and are currently working or have a job offer with an employer in the Alberta technology field in an eligible tech job can start the application process faster. To do that, they need to fill out and send in a form on the AAIP website. If a candidate meets the requirements for their stream, the AAIP will send them an invitation to apply for provincial nomination. They will need to send all the necessary papers through the AAIP online portal.

Minimum Requirements:

• Must have an Express Entry profile;
• Must have expressed they wanted to move to Alberta permanently;
• A Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 300;
• Must be working or have been offered a job in a qualified tech job in Alberta.

Rural Renewal Stream

The Rural Renewal Stream is for candidates who have a job offer from an Alberta employer to work in rural communities in Alberta.  

Application Fee: CAD $500

How it works:

Community-driven means that candidates must first get the backing of an Alberta community that is taking part in this stream. Designated communities work to get and keep foreigners. Employers give them jobs, and it’s up to the community to make sure the candidate meets the stream requirements. After that, a letter of support is given to the foreigner. The foreigner sends their application to the AAIP once they get the recommendation.

Minimum Requirements:

• Must have a valid full-time job offer or employment contract from an Alberta employer to work in a certain town in a certain job;
• You must have worked full-time in a qualified job for at least 12 months in the 18 months before you apply. You can get this work experience in Alberta, somewhere else in Canada, or even outside of Canada;
• Must meet the minimum requirements of language;
• a high school diploma at least as good as the Canadian academic standard;
• Must show that they have enough money to support themselves and all of their family members who will be moving to the chosen community;

Farm Stream

The Self-Employed Farmer Stream is for candidates interested in immigrating to Alberta to purchase or start a farming business.

Application Fee: CAD $500

How it works:

If someone wants to apply, they must first send the Alberta government their business plan and wait for a ruling. The AAIP makes a choice after talking to Alberta Agriculture and Forestry to make sure the project fits the needs of Alberta’s farming industry and that the business plan is workable. If you get a good decision, you will need to get the correct paperwork and fill out the correct forms for both the Alberta government and Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Minimum Requirements:

• You should have the knowledge of farming,
• have enough money (at least CAD500,000 to invest), and
• have investment ideas written down in a business plan.

Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Alberta’s International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream is for international graduates of approved Alberta post-secondary institutions who are interested in establishing or operating a business in Alberta.

Application Fee: CAD $3,500

How it works:

Individuals who want to apply must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) on the AAIP website. Within 30 days, you’ll get your EOI score, and the top candidates will be asked to send in a Business Application.

After receiving an email to submit the business application, the Business Application must be completed within 90 days. All the other required documents must also submitted.

Minimum Requirements:

• Attend a school full-time for at least two years in Alberta;
• A Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) that is valid at the time of application;
• A Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 in language proficiency;
• Must start a new business or run a current one that they own at least 34% of;

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream in Alberta is for international graduates with a foreign degree and who wish to establish a startup business in Alberta and obtain permanent residency in Canada.

Application Fee: CAD $3,500

How it works:

To be eligible for this program, applicants are required to collaborate with a designated agency. If you satisfy the criteria, a letter of recommendation will be issued to you by this agency.

Subsequently, your recommendation letter and Expression of Interest (EOI) must be submitted via the AAIP Portal.

In addition, a written report detailing the agency’s evaluation of your proposed business plan will be furnished. This report is an essential attachment to your application.

What are the designated agencies?

1. Empowered Startups

2. Platform Calgary

Minimum Requirements:

• Must have run and/or owned a business full-time for at least six months;
• Possess a business plan that includes financial projections;
• Must have completed college or university in a foreign country and have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). The degree has to have been completed in the last ten years;
• A 10-minute slideshow that tells investors about the business and includes all the information they want to see;
• A Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of at least 5;
• At least 34% ownership is needed if the business is in a city, or at least 51% ownership is needed if it’s not in Calgary or Edmonton.
• Need to put at least $100,000 into an urban center or $50,000 into a regional place. For bigger investments, you get more points. You can get these from your own savings or from a well-known Canadian bank, venture capital company, or angel investor.
• You must have a letter of recommendation from an organization approved by AAIP.
• You must have enough cash to start your business and take care of yourself and your family in Canada.

Rural Entrepreneur Stream

Individulas who want to start a business in a rural area of Alberta can apply through the Rural Entrepreneur Stream.  

Application Fee: CAD $3,500

How it works:

Because this stream is community-driven, business owners who want to set up shop in rural Alberta must first get in touch with a town that is participating and schedule a visit to learn more. The entrepreneur has to give a business plan with details about the business and how it will help the community after the exploratory visit. The business is then given a letter of support. As soon as the community backs the foreign national, they send an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the AAIP.

Minimum Requirements:

• At least three years of experience running a business or being in charge of one, or at least four years of experience as a top manager in the last ten years;
• At least a high school diploma that meets Canadian standards and is backed by an Education Credential Assessment (ECA);
• Have at least a 4 on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) for each English skill or a 4 on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) for each French skill;
• Must have at least $300,000 in net worth.
• At least $200,000 must be invested in stock by the candidate (and/or their spouse or common-law partner);
• Need a town Support Letter from a rural Alberta town that is taking part.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP):

1. What is the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)?

AAIP, formerly known as the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), is an immigration program for individuals who wish to move to Alberta and possess the skills and work experience needed by the province.

2. How many immigration streams are available under AAIP?

AAIP offers eight different immigration streams, catering to various categories such as skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and graduates.

3. What are the main streams for skilled workers under AAIP?

The main streams for skilled workers include the Alberta Opportunity Stream, Alberta General Express Entry Stream, Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway, and Rural Renewal Stream.

4. What is the application fee for the Alberta Opportunity Stream?

The application fee for the Alberta Opportunity Stream is CAD $500.

5. What are the minimum requirements for the Alberta Opportunity Stream?

Requirements include a valid work pass, employment in an eligible job in Alberta, Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or 5, at least a high school diploma, and specific work experience criteria.

6. How does the Alberta Express Entry Stream work?

The Alberta Express Entry Stream recommends individuals with profiles in the federal Express Entry system to apply for provincial nomination. Successful candidates receive an extra 600 CRS points.

7. What is the fee for the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway?

The application fee for the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway is CAD $500.

8. What are the minimum requirements for the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway?

Requirements include having an Express Entry profile, expressing a desire to move to Alberta permanently, a CRS score of at least 300, and employment or a job offer in a qualified tech job in Alberta.

9. What is the Rural Renewal Stream for?

The Rural Renewal Stream is for candidates with job offers in rural communities in Alberta.

10. What are the minimum requirements for the Farm Stream?

Requirements include knowledge of farming, a minimum investment of CAD $500,000, and a detailed business plan.

11. How does the Graduate Entrepreneur Stream work?

This stream is for international graduates of approved Alberta post-secondary institutions interested in establishing or operating a business in Alberta.

12. What is the application fee for the Graduate Entrepreneur Stream?

The application fee for the Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is CAD $3,500.

13. What are the minimum requirements for the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream?

Requirements include running/owning a business for at least six months, a business plan with financial projections, a recent college or university degree with Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), and investment criteria.

14. How does the Rural Entrepreneur Stream operate?

This stream is community-driven, requiring entrepreneurs to collaborate with a participating rural Alberta town and provide a business plan for community benefit.

15. What is the application fee for the Rural Entrepreneur Stream?

The application fee for the Rural Entrepreneur Stream is CAD $3,500.

16. What are the minimum requirements for the Rural Entrepreneur Stream?

Requirements include at least three years of business experience, a high school diploma with an ECA, language proficiency, a minimum net worth, and an investment in stock.

17. What designated agencies are involved in the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream?

The designated agencies are Empowered Startups and Platform Calgary.

18. How can I get a town Support Letter for the Rural Entrepreneur Stream?

Entrepreneurs must contact a participating rural Alberta town, schedule a visit, submit a business plan, and obtain a letter of support for the application.

19. Can I apply for more than one stream simultaneously?

Applicants can apply for only one stream at a time. It is recommended to choose the stream that best aligns with their qualifications and goals.

20. How long does the application process generally take?

The processing time may vary for each stream. It is advisable to check the official AAIP website for the most up-to-date information on processing times.