Alberta Immigrant Nominee
Program
Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)-now officially known as the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)-is designed to attract skilled workers, professionals, and entrepreneurs who can help address labour shortages and support Alberta’s economic growth. Through this provincial nomination program, Alberta selects eligible candidates for Canadian permanent residence based on their skills, work experience, and ability to contribute to the province.
The AAIP accepts applications from skilled workers through the Alberta Opportunity Pathway and the Alberta Express Entry Pathway, while also offering business immigration options through the Self-Employed Farmer Pathway and the Overseas Graduate Entrepreneur Pathway.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
The program is administered by the Government of Alberta in partnership with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Applicants must complete a two-stage process:
- Apply for provincial nomination from the Government of Alberta
- Apply for federal permanent residence in Canada after receiving a nomination.
Each year, IRCC allocates a specific number of nomination certificates to Alberta under the AAIP.
Why Choose the Alberta
Immigrant Nominee Program?
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)—now the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)—offers a direct pathway to Canadian permanent residence for skilled workers and entrepreneurs. With high demand for talent in industries like tech, healthcare, and agriculture, Alberta provides excellent career opportunities, a lower cost of living, and a high quality of life for newcomers and their families.
Alberta Immigration Pathways under AINP
Each pathway targets different categories of applicants based on labour market and economic priorities
Alberta Opportunity Pathway
Alberta Express Entry Pathway
Self-Employed Farmer Pathway
Overseas Graduate Entrepreneur Pathway
Alberta Opportunity
Pathway
Introduced in June 2018, the Alberta Opportunity Pathway replaced the former Employer-Driven and Strategic Recruitment streams. This pathway was developed to simplify the application process, reduce processing times, and create a more transparent and equitable system for both employers and foreign workers.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria at the time of application submission and during assessment by Alberta authorities.
Work Permit and Residency
Status
Candidates must hold valid temporary resident status in Canada that permits employment, including work permits based on a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), LMIA-exempt permits, intra-company transfers, Mobilité Francophone, or the International Experience Canada program. A Post-Graduation Work Permit is also acceptable.
Applicants must work in an eligible occupation in Alberta. Those facing removal or appeal, living outside Alberta, or on implied or restoration status are ineligible. For Post-Graduation Work Permit holders, employment must relate to their field of study. For programs starting before April 1, 2019, eligible credentials include one-year post-graduate certificates, two-year diplomas, undergraduate degrees, or graduate diplomas from recognized institutions. Programs starting on or after April 1, 2019, must be among Alberta’s approved credentials.
Occupation Requirements
To be eligible, applicants must be employed in a profession recognized as suitable in Alberta. Unlike many other provinces, Alberta does not maintain a prioritized list of eligible occupations. Instead, it provides a list of jobs that are explicitly excluded from eligibility. Typically, most positions categorized under NOC skill levels 0, A, B, C, and D are regarded as eligible, provided they are not listed among the exclusions.
Language Proficiency
Applicants are required to provide valid language test results showing at least CLB or NCLC level 4 in all language skills for most jobs. However, those applying for positions under NOC 3413, which includes patient service associates, nurse aides, and orderlies, must achieve a minimum of CLB or NCLC level 7 across all four language abilities. Since January 1, 2020, candidates in NOC 0, A, or B occupations must also meet a minimum language proficiency of CLB or NCLC level 5.
Additional Conditions
Applicants must hold any required licensing, certification, or registration necessary to work in their occupation in Alberta. A valid, full-time job offer from an Alberta employer is mandatory, and the applicant must be currently employed in that position.
The job offer must be signed by both the employer and the applicant and must confirm paid, continuous employment for a minimum of 30 hours per week for at least one year in an eligible occupation.
Alberta Express Entry
Pathway
The Alberta Express Entry Pathway allows the province to nominate qualified candidates directly from the federal Express Entry pool. Alberta selects candidates who demonstrate strong ties to the province and the potential to support economic development and workforce diversification.
Applicants must first receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Alberta before applying for provincial nomination.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for selection, candidates must have an active Express Entry profile, express interest in settling permanently in Alberta, work in an occupation that supports Alberta’s economic priorities, and meet the minimum CRS requirement of 300 points.
Factors that may enhance selection chances include a job offer or work experience in Alberta, Canadian post-secondary education, or close family members residing in the province. Conversely, candidates nearing Express Entry profile expiry or employed in ineligible occupations may have reduced chances of selection.
Alberta Self-Employed
Farmer Pathway
The Self-Employed Farmer Pathway is managed in collaboration with Alberta’s agriculture authorities and targets applicants with experience in farm ownership or management.
Eligible candidates must demonstrate proven farm management experience, possess the skills and education necessary to establish a viable agricultural operation, and submit a detailed business plan. Applicants must also provide evidence of support from a Canadian financial institution and show a minimum equity investment of $500,000, or the ability to access equivalent funds.
Alberta Overseas Graduate
Entrepreneur Pathway
This pathway is intended for international graduates of Alberta post-secondary institutions who wish to establish or operate a business in the province. Applicants must actively manage their business for at least one year on a valid work permit before becoming eligible for nomination.
Application Process
The process begins with the submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI). Eligible candidates are ranked, and top-scoring applicants are invited to submit a business application. Following assessment and approval, candidates sign a Business Performance Agreement and receive authorization to operate their business in Alberta.
After successfully meeting business performance conditions, applicants may submit a final report for nomination. Upon approval, Alberta issues a nomination certificate to IRCC, enabling the applicant to apply for permanent residence.
Alberta PNP Draws
Alberta regularly reviews profiles within the Express Entry pool and issues Notifications of Interest through scheduled AAIP draws. Detailed information regarding each draw, including election criteria and CRS cut-offs, is typically released several weeks after the draw date.
In-Demand Occupations in
Alberta
Alberta regularly reviews profiles within the Express Entry pool and issues Notifications of Interest through scheduled AAIP draws. Detailed information regarding each draw, including election criteria and CRS cut-offs, is typically released several weeks after the draw date.