Alberta PNP

Updated: December 12th, 2022

Alberta is one of Canada’s most powerful provincial economies attracting newcomers from all over Canada as well as the rest of the world. It is known for its fossil energy, agriculture, forestry, education, tourism, and hospitality as well as its manufacturing industry providing jobs in Canada for thousands of people.

As a combined result of the number of jobs created by a strong economy, the number of temporary foreign workers in the province, and the increased tightening of federal immigration programs, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) formerly known as the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) has become one of Canada’s most popular immigrant recruitment programs, offering Canadian permanent residency to skilled foreign workers and entrepreneurs. The AINP (or Alberta PNP) also offers fast-tracked application processing times with its new online portal which has decreased processing times to as little as 4 to 6 months!

Let’s take a closer look at the Alberta PNP to find out if it’s the right way for you to immigrate to Canada.

What Is the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)?

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), which will now be known as the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is an immigration program that lets the province hire skilled workers who have the right work experience and training needed to fill in-demand jobs in Alberta.

Below are the 8 Canadian immigration streams under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program Categories:

Alberta INP Categories

Those who successfully apply to immigrate to Canada through the program can get permanent residence when they receive a Provincial Nomination (PN) from the province. In order to qualify for all PNPs you will also need the following:

• Medical Certificate; 
• Police Clearance; 
• Biometrics; 
• Security Checks; and 
• Federal Checks.

If you succeed in getting a nomination from the province, you, your spouse or partner, and your dependent children can apply for permanent residence in Alberta.

Alberta Express Entry Stream

This program allows the province of Alberta to nominate a limited number of candidates from the Express Entry system. Candidates with strong ties to the province or those who will add to the economy of Alberta will be asked to submit an application via a notification of interest. International graduates who have graduated from Canadian institutions may also be nominated.

If you would like to apply to immigrate to Canada through this stream you will have to satisfy all of the following personal eligibility requirements.

Alberta Express Entry Stream Eligibility Requirements

The Accelerated Tech Pathway

This Express Entry-linked program is geared towards tech professionals looking to immigrate to the province through Express Entry. There are 38 eligible in-demand jobs in Alberta that could make you eligible to apply for permanent residency under this program.

Alberta Express Entry Accelerated Tech Pathway Eligibility Requirements

Alberta Opportunity Stream

The Alberta Opportunity Stream allows foreign workers to apply to immigrate to Canada if they have a full-time offer of employment in Alberta and are already living and working in the province to apply for permanent residence in Canada under the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program.

If you would like to apply to immigrate to Canada through this stream you will have to satisfy all of the following personal eligibility requirements.

Alberta Opportunity Stream Eligibility Requirements

Please note that your occupation must not feature on the ineligible occupations list in order for you to qualify to apply under this stream. To find out if your occupation is eligible, visit our Alberta In-Demand Jobs in Canada page.

Post Graduation Work Permit Applicants

If you have a Post Graduation Work Permit and would like to apply for Canadian permanent residence under this stream, you will also need to have a job related to your previous tertiary qualification obtained outside of Canada, if:

• Your Alberta credential program started on or after April 1, 2019; and 
• Have completed an Advanced Education approved one-year post-diploma or post-baccalaureate certificate.

Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

The Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (GES) allows international foreign post-graduate work permit holders with at least 6 months of business work experience and a qualification from a college or university in Alberta to start or buy an existing business in Alberta, Canada.

If you would like to apply to this stream you will have to satisfy all of the following personal eligibility requirements.

Graduate Entrepreneur Stream Eligibility Requirements

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (FGES) allows foreign graduates who would like to launch their start-ups in Alberta, apply for permanent residency from outside of Canada.Applicants will have to work with a designated agency that will issue a letter of recommendation which will need to be submitted with the Expression of Interest (EOI) to the province.

Approved Designated Agencies

• Empowered Start-ups
• Platform Calgary

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream Eligibility Requirements

Farmer Stream

The Farmer Stream in Alberta was created to help foreign immigrants start their own farms in Canada. This stream allows experienced agricultural entrepreneurs to immigrate to Canada and obtain permanent residence. It is managed by both the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program and the Alberta Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and will need to meet the requirements and regulations stipulated by both organizations.

The basic requirements to apply to the Alberta Self Employed Farmer Stream are assessed on your:

• Education; 
• Experience; 
• Funds; and 
• Language skills

If you want to start your own farming business in Alberta, you can do so with the Self Employed Farmer Stream.  

Alberta Farm Stream Eligibility Requirements

Those Who Cannot Apply for the AAIP Farm Stream

You cannot apply for this stream if you are:

• A refugee claimant; 
• Being removed or in the process of being removed from Canada; 
• Work as a caregiver in Canada; 
• Work as a Temporary Foreign Worker who is not living in Alberta; or 
• Study in Canada as an international student doing internships or co-op work placements.
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Rural Renewal Stream

The Rural Renewal Stream helps to recruit and retain immigrants from all over the world and settle them in rural Alberta. It is a community-driven approach that meets local economic development requirements and contributes to community progress. This stream gives rural communities the tools they need to attract and retain foreign nationals who want to live, work, and settle in their communities.

The Rural Renewal Stream is a 3 step process:

1. The community must recruit newcomers in order to meet labour needs
2. The community must provide an Endorsement of Candidate letter.
3. You must submit an application under the AAIP

You can apply for the Rural Renewal Stream using the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program portal. You can apply to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) now known as Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) online, check your status, and change information for your online application. Make sure you meet the requirements for the program before you apply:

The Rural Renewal Stream Eligibility Requirements

The Rural Entrepreneur Stream

The Rural Entrepreneur Stream will bring immigrant entrepreneurs to rural Alberta communities to start businesses that will help the economy recover and expand. Entrepreneurs interested in launching or buying a business in rural Alberta will be able to visit the towns to see where they will live and operate their business, as well as meet the entrepreneur and evaluate the business plan.

Communities with approved applications, represented by an economic development or similar agency, will be allowed to begin working with employers and settlement providers to attract newcomers and assist them in settling permanently in the community.

Here are the requirements for the Rural Entrepreneur Stream

The Rural Entrepreneur Stream Eligibility Requirements

FAQ 1: Are AINP visas still processed during Covid-19 2022?

With temporary changes to some application and assessment processes, the AINP continues to accept and review applications and Expressions of Interest (EOIs).

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) collaborates with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on a regular basis to examine and improve their processes and rules.

New and current candidates may be eligible for nomination if they operate in an area that is not zoned for commercial or industrial use due to government social distancing requirements. Working from home, for example.

If the candidate is still employed by their employer and performs some of the job responsibilities or types of work indicated in their job description, they may be eligible for nomination if they can demonstrate that they will resume their regular duties during the pandemic.

FAQ 2: What if I lose my job during the application process?

Candidates who have lost their jobs or are no longer able to meet employment criteria after making an application to the AINP have up to 6 months (180 days) from the time their application is assessed to locate work that fits AINP eligibility.

Candidates who have been unable to renew their work permit owing to COVID-19 are eligible. At the time of application, candidates must meet the minimum qualifications for employment.

FAQ 3: How do I prove that I have a connection to the province?

If you have one or more of the connections listed below, you may have a better chance of getting assessed or nominated for the program:

• You have a job offer from Alberta and/or work experience in the province;
• You have a parent, child, brother or sister who is a permanent resident of Alberta, or a Canadian citizen living in Alberta;
• You are a graduate of a Canadian post-secondary institution; or
• Your first language is French.

FAQ 4: What kind of work regulations must be followed?

The job offer must be a good faith, legitimate offer, signed by your Alberta employer and must offer:

• continuous, paid work
• full-time work, defined as a minimum of 30 hours/week
• employment for 12 months or more
• wages and benefits that meet or exceed provincial minimum wage
• work in a location in Alberta

Additionally, If you are or will be working at a home-based business in Alberta your employer must be authorized to operate that business location from a personal residence.

FAQ 5: Why is Alberta an easy province to get into?

Alberta’s is one of the most straightforward provincial nominee systems in Canada for obtaining a nomination for Canada PR and then the PR itself. The AINP's Express Entry aligned Stream accepts candidates with CRS scores as low as 300. As a result, if your CRS point score is low, you can apply for permanent residency in Canada under the Alberta Provincial Nomination Program.

If you apply in the Alberta-Express Entry Stream and receive a provincial nomination, you will be entitled to an additional 600 CRS points in Express Entry, which will assist you in receiving a Canada PR invitation from IRCC.

Like what you have read about the fantastic province and the Alberta PNP and want to start your application for a Canadian visa? Sign up right here and we will call you about the application process. Get great Canadian immigration advice from our professionals.

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