Alberta – PNP
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is an economic immigration program that supports economic growth in the province.
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is an economic immigration initiative designed to nominate individuals for permanent residency in Alberta. Applicants are required to possess skills that address job shortages or intend to establish or purchase a business within Alberta. Additionally, they must demonstrate their capacity to support their families. This collaborative program is administered jointly by the governments of Alberta and Canada.
Successful nominees under this program, along with their spouse or common-law partner, and dependent children, are eligible to apply for permanent residency status.
While the province issues nomination certificates to complement your Express Entry profile, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is responsible for managing permanent residency applications and rendering final decisions.
The program caters to two main profiles: skilled workers and entrepreneurs. Depending on your profile, there are various streams available for application. Below, we outline the distinct streams within the program.
Streams for Workers
Foreign skilled workers who currently reside and work in Alberta or are intending to do so:
- Tourism and Hospitality Stream
- Alberta Opportunity Stream
- Alberta Express Entry
- Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway
Streams for entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs who plan to reside in Alberta and either purchase or establish a business within the province:
- Rural Entrepreneur Stream
- Farm Stream
- Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
- Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
As well, the province has announced that it would be closing two previously existing streams in June 2018:
Alberta Opportunity Stream
The Alberta Opportunity Stream was launched in June 2018. This stream targets foreign nationals who are already working in Alberta and who have an official offer of employment from their Alberta employer to continue working full-time in the province. Candidates for this stream must meet a range of eligibility requirements regarding work experience, job offer, language proficiency, and education.
Alberta Express Entry Stream
The Alberta Express Entry stream was launched in June 2018. The stream allows the province to offer provincial nominations to select candidates with active profiles in the federal Express Entry system. Alberta will automatically consider profiles in the federal Express Entry pool. While the exact selection criteria is unknown, AAIP states that it will seek candidates who demonstrate strong ties to Alberta and who can support regional economic development and diversification.
Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination through this stream will a 600-point increase to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence in the subsequent Express Entry draw.
Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway
The Accelerated Tech Pathway allows certain Express Entry candidates with an Albertan job offer at a company in a tech industry or in an eligible tech role to apply for nomination with expedited processing.
To be eligible for the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway, candidate must be eligible under the Alberta Express Entry stream. Candidates must also be working in one of 38 tech occupations identified as in-demand by the AAIP, or hold a job offer with Alberta employer that is part of an eligible tech industry.
AAIP Farm Stream
The Alberta Farm Stream targets foreign nationals with extensive experience owning and operating a farm who have the financial resources to launch a new farming operation in Alberta. Candidates for this stream must consult with the province and submit a highly detailed proposal outlining their plan to launch a new agricultural farm in Alberta.
Graduate Entrepreneur
The Graduate Entrepreneur stream offers a pathway to permanent residence to international graduates from Alberta post-secondary institutions that wish to start and operate a business in the province. This stream uses a points-based Expression of Interest to rank system candidates. Those with the highest-ranking points will be invited to submit a detailed Business Application. Successful applicants will be issued a nomination by the province, which can be used to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
The Foreign Entrepreneur Stream offers a pathway to permanent residence to recent graduates who have completed a foreign post-secondary credential and who have an intention of starting and operating a business in the province of Alberta. Candidates who meet the minimum stream requirements can register a profile using AAIP’s online portal and submit a Business Application for the chance to start a business in Alberta, and, eventually apply for permanent residence.
AINP Strategic Recruitment Stream (closed)
This stream was closed on June 14th, 2018. It is no longer accepting new applications.
The Alberta Strategic Recruitment stream is currently closed. When it was active, it encompassed a range of immigration streams targeting candidates for Alberta’s labour force. The stream previously contained the following three programs:
- Alberta Compulsory and Occupational Trades
- Alberta Engineering Occupations
- Alberta Post-Graduate Worker
AINP Employer-Driven Stream (closed)
This stream was closed on June 14th, 2018. It is no longer accepting new applications.
The Alberta Employer-Driven stream is currently closed. When it was active, it provided immigration options for applicants who have a valid job offer from an Alberta employer. The stream previously contained the following three programs:
When will be the Next Draw for Alberta PNP?
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) has not set a specific date for the next Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw, as it usually does not announce draw dates beforehand. The frequency of these draws varies, aligning with Alberta’s unique immigration needs and quotas. To keep up-to-date with upcoming draws, we recommend regularly checking the official AINP website. Additionally, subscribing to our push notifications or weekly newsletter is an excellent way to ensure you receive the most current information as soon as the next Alberta PNP draw is announced.
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