The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
Overview of AAIP
Purpose: Nominates individuals with skills to fill labor shortages or those planning to start or buy businesses in Alberta.
Streams: Divided into worker streams (for employees) and entrepreneur streams (for business owners or investors).
Application Process: Candidates apply for provincial nomination through the AAIP online portal. If nominated, they can apply for permanent residence with IRCC.
Nomination Limits: Alberta receives a limited number of nominations annually (e.g., 9,942 nominations issued in 2024, with 85% for temporary foreign workers).
Fees: As of April 1, 2025, worker stream application fees are $1,500 to align with service delivery costs.
Language Tests: Starting April 1, 2025, AAIP accepts the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Core alongside other approved English and French tests.
Worker Streams
The AAIP has four worker streams for foreign workers living and working in Alberta or planning to do so. These streams target individuals with job offers or specific skills aligned with Alberta’s economic priorities.
1. Alberta Opportunity Stream
Purpose: For skilled workers living and working in Alberta with a full-time job offer from an Alberta employer.
Eligibility Requirements (at application submission and assessment):
Residency and Work Permit:
Must have valid temporary resident status in Canada (e.g., temporary foreign worker permit).
Must reside and work in Alberta in an eligible occupation.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holders must have an occupation related to their field of study in Alberta.
Work Experience:
Minimum 12 months of full-time work experience in the current Alberta occupation within the last 18 months, OR
24 months of full-time work experience in Canada or abroad within the last 30 months (can include current occupation or a related one).
PGWP holders need 6 months of full-time work experience in Alberta related to their field of study.
Job Offer:
Full-time (minimum 30 hours/week), continuous, paid work for at least 12 months.
Must be in an eligible occupation (most NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, but a list of ineligible occupations exists, e.g., legislators, some supervisors).
Signed by the applicant and employer, meeting provincial minimum wage and any Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirements.
Language Proficiency:
Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 for NOC TEER 4 or 5 occupations; CLB 5 for TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
For NOC 3413 (nurse aids, orderlies, patient service associates), CLB 7 is required.
Education:
Minimum high school education equivalent to Canadian standards, verified by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
PGWP holders need an approved Alberta credential (e.g., degree, diploma, or certificate from an eligible institution).
For programs started on or after April 1, 2019, with a one-year post-diploma or post-baccalaureate certificate, the occupation must relate to a previous post-secondary field of study outside Canada.
Ineligible Applicants:
Refugee claimants, temporary residents outside Alberta, or those without valid temporary resident status.
Those working in ineligible occupations (see Table 1 on Alberta.ca for the full list).
Additional Notes:
Application cap: 430 applications accepted monthly starting June 11, 2024.
Processing time: Approximately 4 months.
Work permits must remain valid at submission and assessment. Maintained status (implied status) is not accepted.
2. Alberta Express Entry Stream
Purpose: Invites candidates from the federal Express Entry pool to apply for nomination based on Alberta’s economic, sector, and occupational priorities.
Pathways:
General Express Entry: For candidates with strong ties to Alberta or in-demand occupations.
Dedicated Health Care Pathway: For healthcare professionals with Alberta job offers.
Accelerated Tech Pathway: For tech professionals with job offers or current employment in eligible tech occupations.
Priority Sector Draws: Targets construction, agriculture, aviation, hospitality, and tourism occupations (21% of Express Entry allocations).
Eligibility Requirements (for all pathways):
Express Entry Profile:
Active profile in the federal Express Entry pool (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades).
Minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300.
Occupation:
Primary occupation in the Express Entry profile must align with a specific pathway or provincial economic priorities.
Intent:
Must intend to live and work permanently in Alberta.
Ineligible Applicants:
Those with Express Entry profiles expiring in less than 5 months.
Those in ineligible occupations or with active nominations in other AAIP streams.
Pathway-Specific Requirements:
Dedicated Health Care Pathway:
Eligible occupations: Physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, physician assistants, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, clinical social workers.
Must have a full-time job offer from an Alberta employer in the healthcare sector.
Must meet minimum licensing requirements of the applicable regulatory body.
Expedited processing (approximately 1 month).
Accelerated Tech Pathway:
Must work full-time in Alberta or have a full-time job offer (30 hours/week, minimum 12 months) in one of 38 eligible tech occupations (e.g., software engineers, IT specialists; see Alberta.ca for the full list).
Employer must be in an eligible tech industry (based on North American Industry Classification System codes).
Job offer must meet provincial minimum wage and LMIA requirements (if applicable).
Primary occupation in the Express Entry profile must match the job offer or current employment.
Candidates submit an initial web form, followed by an invitation to apply if eligible.
Expedited processing (approximately 1 month).
Application cap: 30 applications accepted monthly starting June 11, 2024.
Priority Sector Draws:
Occupations in construction, agriculture, aviation, hospitality, or tourism.
Job offer (if applicable) must be in an eligible occupation.
Selection Process:
Invitation-only: Candidates receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) via the federal Express Entry system.
Selection factors include ties to Alberta (e.g., family, previous work, or study), job offers, or in-demand occupations.
Draws are conducted as needed, not on a fixed schedule.
Additional Notes:
Nomination adds 600 CRS points, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Processing time: Varies; expedited for Tech and Health Care pathways (1 month), others around 2 months for priority sectors.
Maintained status (implied status) is accepted, unlike the Opportunity Stream.
In 2025, the Express Entry Stream has an allocation of 1,071 nominations.
3. Rural Renewal Stream
Purpose: Addresses labor shortages in rural Alberta communities (population <100,000) by recruiting temporary foreign workers or refugees with community endorsement.
Eligibility Requirements:
Job Offer:
Full-time (30 hours/week), permanent or at least 12 months, from an Alberta employer in a designated rural community.
Must meet provincial minimum wage and LMIA requirements (if applicable).
Occupation must align with the community’s economic growth needs.
Endorsement:
Valid Endorsement of Candidate Letter from the Economic Development Organization (EDO) of the designated community.
The letter must detail how the position supports economic growth and confirm the employer’s efforts to hire locally.
Work Experience:
12 months of full-time work experience in an eligible occupation within the last 18 months (in Alberta, Canada, or abroad).
Language Proficiency:
Minimum CLB 4 for NOC TEER 4 or 5; CLB 5 for TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
Education:
Minimum high school education (Canadian equivalent, verified by ECA).
Settlement Funds:
Proof of sufficient funds to support the applicant and family (unless already working in Canada with a valid work permit).
Intent:
Must intend to reside and work in the designated community.
Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP):
Refugees outside Canada with a referral letter from an EMPP Referral Partner can apply.
Same job offer and endorsement requirements apply.
Ineligible Applicants:
Refugee claimants in Canada.
Those without a valid Endorsement of Candidate Letter.
Community Designation:
Rural communities must apply to AAIP for designation, verifying labor market needs and settlement capacity.
Designated communities recruit workers and issue endorsement letters.
Additional Notes:
Processing time: Not specified but generally aligns with worker streams (2–4 months).
Maintained status is accepted.
Temporary foreign workers may qualify for work permits while awaiting permanent residence decisions.
4. Tourism and Hospitality Stream
Purpose: Supports skilled workers in Alberta’s tourism and hospitality sector, addressing labor shortages.
Eligibility Requirements:
Residency and Work Permit:
Must live and work in Alberta with valid temporary resident status (e.g., temporary foreign worker permit).
Job Offer:
Full-time (30 hours/week), permanent or at least 12 months, from an approved employer in Alberta’s tourism and hospitality sector.
Must meet provincial minimum wage and LMIA requirements (if applicable).
Work Experience:
6 months of full-time work experience in an eligible occupation with the same employer offering the job.
Language Proficiency:
Minimum CLB 4 for NOC TEER 4 or 5; CLB 5 for TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
Education:
Minimum high school education (Canadian equivalent, verified by ECA).
Ineligible Applicants:
Those not working for an approved tourism and hospitality employer.
Refugee claimants or those outside Alberta.
Additional Notes:
Launched March 1, 2024, to address labor gaps in the sector post-COVID-19.
Limited application intake (specific caps not detailed).
Processing time: Approximately 2 months for priority sectors.
Work permits must remain valid at submission and assessment.
Entrepreneur Streams
The AAIP has four streams for entrepreneurs planning to live in Alberta and start or buy a business. These streams require Expressions of Interest (EOIs) and detailed business applications.
1. Rural Entrepreneur Stream
Purpose: For entrepreneurs starting or buying a business in rural Alberta communities (population <100,000).
Eligibility Requirements:
Business Plan:
Must propose starting a new business or buying an existing one in a designated rural community.
Minimum investment of $100,000 (excluding working capital).
Work Experience:
3 years of business ownership or 4 years of senior management experience within the last 10 years.
Net Worth:
Minimum personal net worth of $500,000.
Language Proficiency:
Minimum CLB 4 in English or French.
Education:
Minimum high school education (Canadian equivalent, verified by ECA).
Community Support:
Letter of support from the rural community’s EDO, confirming economic benefit.
Process:
Submit an EOI through the AAIP portal.
Highest-ranking EOIs are invited to submit a detailed business application.
Processing time: Up to 4 months for EOI and business application assessment.
Additional Notes:
Must create or maintain at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
2. Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
Purpose: For international graduates from Alberta post-secondary institutions starting or operating a business.
Eligibility Requirements:
Education:
Degree, diploma, or certificate from an Alberta Advanced Education-approved institution.
Business Plan:
Must start a new business or buy an existing one in Alberta.
Minimum investment of $100,000.
Work Experience:
6 months of full-time work experience managing or owning a business, or equivalent experience through incubators/accelerators.
Language Proficiency:
Minimum CLB 7 in English or French.
Net Worth:
No minimum specified but must demonstrate financial capacity.
Process:
Submit an EOI through the AAIP portal.
Work with a designated agency (e.g., business incubator) for recommendation.
Submit a business application if invited.
Additional Notes:
Launched October 26, 2020, to support Alberta’s economic diversification.
Processing time: Up to 4 months.
3. Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
Purpose: For foreign-educated graduates launching start-ups or innovative businesses in Alberta.
Eligibility Requirements:
Education:
Degree from a post-secondary institution outside Canada (verified by ECA).
Business Plan:
Must propose a start-up or innovative business with high growth potential.
Minimum investment of $100,000.
Work Experience:
6 months of full-time work experience managing or owning a business, or equivalent through incubators/accelerators.
Language Proficiency:
Minimum CLB 7 in English or French.
Net Worth:
No minimum specified but must show financial capacity.
Designated Agency:
Letter of recommendation from an AAIP-approved designated agency (e.g., business incubator or accelerator).
Process:
Submit an EOI through the AAIP portal.
Obtain a recommendation from a designated agency.
Submit a business application if invited.
Additional Notes:
launched in January 2021 to attract global talent.
Processing time: Up to 4 months.
4. Farm Stream
Purpose: For experienced farmers with financial resources to start or buy a farming business in Alberta.
Eligibility Requirements:
Business Plan:
Detailed proposal for a primary production farming business (e.g., crops, livestock).
Minimum investment of $500,000 in equity.
Financial Resources:
Minimum net worth $500,000 or proof of access to funds.
Work Experience:
Proven farm management experience comparable to Alberta’s agricultural standards.
Language Proficiency:
No specific CLB requirement but must demonstrate ability to communicate effectively.
Education:
No specific requirement, but relevant training strengthens the application.
Process:
Submit a business plan to AAIP, reviewed in collaboration with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry.
If approved, submit a full application for nomination.
Additional Notes:
Processing time: Not specified but involves comprehensive verification.
Must align with Alberta’s agricultural sector needs.
General Requirements
Ineligible Occupations: AAIP maintains a list of ineligible occupations for worker streams (e.g., legislators, some retail supervisors). Candidates must confirm their occupation’s eligibility via the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system.
Job Offer Requirements:
Employers cannot charge fees for job offers. Contact Alberta’s Employment Standards or Temporary Foreign Worker Advisory Office (310-0000) if charged.
Job offers must be full-time, meet minimum wage, and comply with LMIA requirements (if applicable).
Medical Inadmissibility: Applicants with conditions causing excessive demand on health or social services may be deemed medically inadmissible. Exemptions may apply for certain streams; consult an immigration lawyer.
Expression of Interest (EOI) System:
Launched September 30, 2024, for worker streams. Candidates submit EOIs, ranked based on labor market needs, with no fee.
Entrepreneur streams also use EOIs, with rankings based on business viability and economic impact.
Processing Times (estimated, subject to change):
Alberta Opportunity Stream: 4 months.
Accelerated Tech Pathway: 1 month.
Dedicated Health Care Pathway: 1 month.
Priority Sectors (e.g., Tourism and Hospitality): 2 months.
Entrepreneur Streams: Up to 4 months.
Draws and Allocations:
Draws are conducted as needed, targeting specific sectors or priorities.
2024 nominations: 9,942, with an Express Entry overage allowed by IRCC.
2025 Express Entry allocation: 1,071 nominations.
Additional Details
Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP):
Part of the Rural Renewal Stream, targeting refugees outside Canada with skills needed in Alberta.
Requires a referral letter from an EMPP Referral Partner and a job offer in a designated community.
Alberta’s Appeal:
Welcomes over 40,000 immigrants annually, with 178,754 non-resident foreign settlers as of October 2023.
Offers job opportunities, a high quality of life, and natural landscapes (e.g., Rocky Mountains, prairies).
Support for Applicants:
AAIP provides FAQs and contact options for clarification.
Recent Updates:
Religious workers and clergy with Alberta job offers became eligible for worker streams as of September 28, 2022.
Application caps and EOI system introduced in 2024 to manage volumes.
Tourism and Hospitality Stream launched to address post-COVID-19 labor short
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program - AIPP - Closed
The purpose of the pilot is to assist employers in Atlantic Canada hire foreign skilled workers who want to immigrate to Atlantic Canada and international graduates who want to stay in Atlantic Canada after they graduate.
On March 1, 2019, the pilot was extended for an additional two years to enable:
international graduates more time to apply
more flexibility for hiring health-care professionals
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot assist employers to hire qualified candidates for jobs they cannot fill locally. These candidates can be overseas or living in Canada temporarily.
There are three programs in this pilot:
Atlantic International Graduate Program
Atlantic High-skilled Program
Atlantic Intermediate-skilled Program
The requirements for each program varies and the employer and the candidate must meet these requirements.
At the outset the employer must be designated by the provincial government of the Atlantic province where the candidate will be working, prior to making a job offer.
After the job offer is made, the employer and candidate need to be compliant with the the federal government requirement in order for the the candidate to get permanent resident status in Canada.
Pilot requirements
Candidates may qualify for more than one program, but can only apply through one program. They requires to show proof that they meet the language, education and work experience requirements and that they have enough money to support themselves and their family.
ATLANTIC INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE PROGRAM
Requirements:
have a degree, diploma or other credential from a publicly funded institution in an Atlantic province
have lived in an Atlantic province for at least 16 months in the 2 years before getting your degree, diploma or credential
take a language test to show you can communicate in English or French
show you can support yourself and your family when you come to Canada
Work experience is not required for international graduates hired through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot.
ATLANTIC HIGH-SKILLED PROGRAM
Requirements:
have worked in a management, professional or technical/skilled job for at least a year
have at least a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent education
take a language test to show you can communicate in English or French
show you can support yourself and your family when you come to Canada
ATLANTIC INTERMEDIATE-SKILLED PROGRAM
Requirements:
have worked in a job that requires a high school education and/or job-specific training for at least a year
have at least a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent education
take a language test to show you can communicate in English or French
show you can support yourself and your family when you come to Canada
APPLY FOR A TEMPORARY WORK PERMIT
If you meet the requirements for permanent residence under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, you may be eligible to apply for a temporary work permit. You must have:
a job offer from a designated employer that meets the requirements of the program you’re applying under
a Referral Letter from the Atlantic province where you’ll be working
Your employer needs to request the province to send you a Referral Letter at the same time they apply to have your job offer endorsed by the province.
The temporary work permit lets you begin working while your permanent resident application is being processed. The temporary work permit:
is only for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot
is valid for one year
only lets you work for the employer who offered you the job
You must send your permanent resident application within 90 days of submitting your temporary work permit application.
