Alberta PNP – Alberta Advantage Immigration Program

Alberta-Advantage-Immigration-Program-AAIP

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is the Provincial Nominee Program of Alberta. The program selects and nominates eligible applicants so they can apply for Canada PR to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

An aspiring immigrant may be able to apply to get a provincial nomination from Alberta PNP or AAIP if they meet the eligibility requirements and Alberta accepts them. The AAIP makes the decision to nominate a candidate, whereas it’s the IRCC that approves the PR application. 

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) helps the provinces and territories of Canada nominate candidates to fill the local labour shortages and boost its economy. 

Note: AAIP has paused Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) for the time being. Once the application backlog is cleared, AAIP will resume AOS for application intake. For latest news, subscribe to our website and get updates on the latest Canada immigration happenings. 

Download Free Immigration and PR Guide PDF

Table of Content

Alberta PNP Streams

AAIP is classified in two categories, based on whether they are for Skilled Workers or Entrepreneurs. 

Streams For Skilled Workers

Streams For Entrepreneurs

Eligibility Criteria: Streams For Skilled Workers

These are the minimum eligibility requirements according to different streams for Skilled Workers.

Eligibility FactorsRural Renewal StreamAlberta Opportunity StreamTourism and Hospitality Stream
Job OfferJob offer from an Alberta employer (in an eligible occupation)Full-time job offer from an Alberta employer for at least 12 months of workFull-time job offer from an Alberta employer for at least 12 months of work
LanguageFor NOC 0, 1, 2, 3
– CLB/NCLC 5

For NOC 4, 5
– CLB/NCLC 4
For NOC 0, 1, 2, 3 – CLB/NCLC 5

For NOC 4, 5 – CLB/NCLC 4

For applicants under NOC code 33102 – CLB/NCLC 7
CLB/NCLC 4
EducationCompleted high school or have an ECA in case of a foreign degreeMust have completed at least high school or have an ECA (PGWP holders exempted)Completed high school or have an ECA in case of a foreign degree
Settlement FundRequired for Temporary Foreign Workers only
OccupationMust be currently working in an eligible occupationMust be currently working in an eligible occupationMust be currently working in the same occupation as the one on the job offer
Work Experience12 months full-time work experience in the last 18 months (could be a mix of Canadian and international work experience)Must have work experience in the same occupation that you are currently working in.

– 12 months full-time work experience in the last 18 months (in Alberta), or
– 24 months full-time experience in previous 30 months (could be a mix of Canadian and international work experience)
at least 6 months (continuous) work experience with an approved Alberta tourism and hospitality employer (must have been working for at least 30 hours a week)
Additional Requirements
Referral Partner letter (for EMPP refugee applicants)Must have a valid temporary status to work in Albertamust have been working with an approved employer
Have a valid Endorsement of Candidate letter from Economic Development Organization (EDO)
Must be licensed to work in your current occupation

Alberta Express Entry Stream

Since the eligible requirements for the Alberta Express Entry stream are a bit different than other streams for Skilled Workers, we’ll list them separately here:

  • Must have at least 300 CRS score 
  • Must not have an active nomination by the AAIP
  • Must have an Express Entry profile which must already be in the pool
  • Intend to settle in Alberta permanently or show an interest that you would be immigrating to Alberta
  • Must be eligible for at least one of the Express Entry programs (Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Workers Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program)
  • Primary occupation mentioned in the EE profile must be in-demand. The occupation must not be listed in the Alberta Occupation Stream’s ineligible jobs list. 
  • Candidates must not be a refugee claimant or subject to removal process/federal appeal. The candidate must also not be ineligible to re-apply for AAIP because they misrepresented.

Note: These are just the general eligibility requirements under the Alberta Express Entry stream. To know the specific requirements, give us a call at +91 844 838 6496. 

Eligibility Criteria: Streams For Entrepreneur 

These are the eligibility requirements according to different streams for Entrepreneurs.

Eligibility FactorsGraduate Entrepreneur StreamRural Entrepreneur StreamForeign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
LanguageCLB/NCLC 7CLB/NCLC 4CLB/NCLC 4
EducationMust have studied for at least 2 years and received a degree/diploma from publicly funded Alberta Advanced Education post-secondary institution.Must have studied high school in Canada or submit an ECA for the sameMust have completed a post-secondary institution and an ECA for the same
Business Investment$100,000 (If you invest more, you’ll receive higher points)For an urban centre- $100,000
For a regional area- $50,000

Higher level of investment means you get more points
Business EstablishmentMust buy/start a business in Alberta; minimum business ownership of 34% requiredMust have at least 51% ownership in the business (business partners must be PRs or citizens)

OR

100% ownership for business succession

*Business must not be in the ineligible business list
If the business is located in an urban centre, the applicant must own at least 34% in the business

If the business is located outside Calgary and Census metropolitan area of Edmonton, the applicant must own at least 51% of the business

*Business must not be in the ineligible business list
Work Experience– 3 years of work experience in owning or managing a business

OR

– 4 years as senior manager in the last 10 years
at least 6 months work experience
Additional Requirements
Must have Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)Must have a net worth of $300,000Must have a business plan that includes the projected financials
A participating rural community must issue a Community Support Letter to the candidateMust have a 10-minute presentation (only in slides) to pitch the business idea and show the investor what they want to see
New business must create a minimum of 1 full-time job (for PRs/citizens)

If the business is able to create more jobs, you will be granted more points. The business must be able to create jobs for at least 6 months.

In case of business succession, the business does not need to create jobs for Canadian PRs or citizens.
A designated agency (AAIP-approved) must issue you a letter of recommendation
Must have sufficient funds to support themselves as well as set-up their business

Farm Stream

To be eligible for Farm Stream, candidates must meet the below-provided requirements:

  • Candidates are required to prove that they have farm management skills
  • They must be able to invest at least CAN$500,000 in a primary production farming business 
  • Candidates need to come up with an investment plan and submit it along with their application to AAIP

Documents Checklist

For Skilled Worker Streams

Documents RequiredAlberta Express Entry StreamRural Renewal StreamTourism and Hospitality StreamAlberta Opportunity Stream
Passport✔️✔️✔️✔️
Language Test Report✔️✔️✔️✔️
ECA Report✔️✔️✔️✔️
Academic documents✔️✔️✔️✔️
Alberta Job Offer✔️✔️✔️✔️
Employment reference letter✔️✔️✔️✔️
LMIA✔️✔️✔️
Work PermitIf ApplicableIf Applicable✔️✔️
AIT Recognized Trade CertificateIf ApplicableIf Applicable✔️
License, Registration and Certification

(not for candidates with trade certificates)
✔️✔️✔️
Additional Documents
Documents to prove relative’s PR or citizenshipEndorsement of Candidate letterPay statementsPay statements
Documents to prove a relationship with the relativeSettlement funds – If required

For Entrepreneurs Streams

Documents RequiredRural Entrepreneur StreamGraduate Entrepreneur StreamForeign Graduate Entrepreneur StreamFarm Stream
Passport✔️✔️✔️✔️
Language Test Report✔️✔️✔️
ECA Report✔️✔️✔️
Academic documents✔️✔️✔️✔️
AIT Recognized Trade Certificate✔️✔️✔️
License, Registration and Certification

(not for candidates with trade certificates)
✔️✔️✔️
Work PermitIf Applicable✔️If Applicable
Alberta RelativeIf ApplicableIf Applicable
Exploratory Visit Report✔️
Qualified Service Provider Report✔️If Applicable✔️
Business Plan✔️✔️✔️
Business Plan Evaluation Report✔️✔️✔️
Work Experience✔️✔️✔️
Additional Documents
Document checklist
Employment reference letter
Farm 004 form
Reference Letter
Application fee receipt
Personal net worth statement
Canadian financial institution endorsement
IMM 0008
GenericIMM 5669
Schedule AIMM 0008 Schedules 4 and 4A
IMM 5406

Processing Time

Streams for Skilled WorkerApprox Processing Time
Alberta Opportunity Stream7 Months
Rural Renewal Stream6 Months
Tourism and Hospitality Stream1 month
Alberta Express Entry Streama. Dedicated Healthcare Pathway – 2 Weeks
b. Priority Sectors – 4 Months
c. Accelerated Tech Pathway – 6 Months
d. Family Connection and In-Demand Occupation – 4 Months
Streams for EntrepreneurExpression of Interest scoringBusiness Application decisionFinal report & nomination
1. Rural Entrepreneur Stream
2. Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
3. Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
1 Month3 Months4 Months
Stream for EntrepreneurProcessing Time
Farm Stream4 Months

Fees: For Streams & Other Documents

Streams for Skilled WorkerApplication Processing Fees
Alberta Opportunity Stream$840
Alberta Express Entry Stream
Rural Renewal Stream
Tourism and Hospitality Stream
Streams for EntrepreneurApplication Processing Fees FeesExpression of Interest
Farm Stream$3,500
Rural Entrepreneur Stream$200
Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
Other DocumentsFee
Request to Extend Nomination$150
Request for a Letter of Support [204(c) or 205(a)]
Request for Business Performance Agreement changes
Request for Reconsideration$250

Alberta PNP Draws 2024

Alberta PNP draws are only conducted by the Alberta Express Entry stream. Below are all the draws held in 2024 by Alberta. 

DateNOIs SentCRS cut-offDraw Type
2-Apr-202448303Dedicated Healthcare Pathway
19-Mar-202441304Dedicated Healthcare Pathway
5-Mar-202434303Dedicated Healthcare Pathway
20-Feb-202433311Dedicated Healthcare Pathway
6-Feb-202444302Dedicated Healthcare Pathway
1-Feb-202480382Priority sector – Construction occupation
30-Jan-202422312Dedicated Healthcare Pathway
16-Jan-202422312Dedicated Healthcare Pathway
11-Jan-202444312Priority sector – Agriculture occupation
2-Jan-202442309Dedicated Healthcare Pathway

Alberta Point Calculator

Calculate your Alberta PNP points using the below points grid.

Rural Entrepreneur Stream Points Grid

FactorPoints
Rural25
Business Experience20
Business Establishment60
Human Capital35
Adaptability35
Total175 Points

Graduate Entrepreneur Stream Points Grid

FactorPoints
Business Establishment75
Human Capital25
Adaptability25
Total125 Points

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream Points Grid

FactorPoints
Human Capital100
Business100
Total200 Points

Alberta Express Entry Stream Points Grid

FactorCRS Points (With Spouse)CRS Points (Without Spouse)
Age100110
Language150160
Education140150
Canadian work experience7080
Skill TransferabilityMax 100
Additional Points (including Provincial nomination)Max 600 Points
Total1200 Points

How to get Canada PR through Alberta PNP

To get Canada PR through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), just follow these steps. These steps are for Skilled Worker streams (except for Alberta Express Entry stream):

Step 1 – Make sure that you meet the eligibility requirements of the stream through which you want to get a nomination
Step 2 – Create an account on AAIP portal
Step 3 – Pay the required application fee
Step 4 – Receive a nomination
Step 5 – Apply to IRCC for Canada PR

Steps to Apply for Alberta Express Entry stream:

Step 1 – Be eligible for at least one of the Express Entry programs
Step 2 – Your Express Entry profile should be in the Express Entry pool
Step 3 – Receive an NOI from the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program in an Alberta PNP draw
Step 4 – Update the nomination in your Express Entry profile
Step 5 – Get rewarded additional 600 CRS points
Step 6 – Receive an ITA in an Express Entry draw
Step 7 – Apply for PR to IRCC

Following are the steps for Entrepreneur streams (excluding the Farm Stream):

Step 1 – Meet the eligibility requirements of the stream 
Step 2 – Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the AAIP portal
Step 3 – You may submit the Business Application package along with all the required forms and documents through the AAIP portal
Step 4 – The AAIP may process your application and verify your EOI points 
Step 5 – You will receive a Business Performance Agreement upon the approval of your application
Step 6 – Establish your business in Alberta!
Step 7 – If you meet all the requirements of the Business Performance Agreement, you may be able to apply for nomination through the stream
Step 8 – If AAIP approves your application for nomination, you can apply for PR to the IRCC

Follow these steps to get Canada PR through the Farm Stream:

Step 1 – Be eligible to apply through the Farm Stream
Step 2 – Complete you application, upload the necessary documents 
Step 3 – Pay the required fee
Step 4 – Mail the application to the AAIP
Step 5 – If AAIP approves your application, you will become a provincial nominee
Step 6 – Apply for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada 

If you don’t want to go through all the steps and document preparation, hire the best Canada immigration consultants there are! Get registered with Talent Connected Worldwide, the Canadian government approved consultants who are CICC-licensed and have been in this industry for the past 15 years. Experts at TCWW will help you out from the start of your Express Entry profile or creating an Expression of Interest to submit to the AAIP portal till you get the Canada PR. 

Get legal and verified immigration consultation from the certified consultants only and relax while we take care of your case. 

Remember to fill out the form below for some insights and advice from our experts!