Alberta Advantage Immigration Program

Who Can Apply for Alberta Advantage Immigration Program

There are currently eight options when it comes to migrating to Alberta. These are divided into two categories: Streams for workers and Streams for entrepreneurs.

I. Streams for workers:

There are four streams for foreign workers who are either living and working in Alberta or planning to do so soon. They are:

• Tourism and Hospitality Stream
• Alberta Opportunity Stream
• Alberta Express Entry Stream
• Rural Renewal Stream

Tourism and Hospitality Stream

The Alberta Tourism and Hospitality Stream is designed to attract skilled workers in the tourism and hospitality industry to address labor shortages in this sector. This stream targets occupations such as:

• Food service supervisors
• Hotel managers
• Chefs

Candidates must have:

• A valid job offer from an Alberta employer in the tourism or hospitality industry
• Meet specific work experience requirements, and
• Demonstrate language proficiency.

Successful nominees receive a provincial nomination, which can speed up their application for permanent residence in Canada.

Alberta Opportunity Stream

Alberta Opportunity Stream is a key part of the Alberta Advantage Immigrant Program (AAIP), aimed at attracting skilled workers who are already employed in Alberta to become permanent residents. This stream is designed to support the needs of Alberta’s labor market by retaining individuals who are contributing to the local economy.

For both Tourism and Hospitality Stream and Alberta Opportunity Stream, a full-time job offer from a qualifying Alberta employer is necessary. In addition, candidates must meet minimum eligibility criteria for occupation, language and work experience.

Alberta Express Entry Stream

This stream allows Alberta to nominate candidates who already have profiles in the Federal Express Entry system. Those candidates who receive a provincial nomination through this stream will get an additional 600-point boost to their CRS score, thereby guaranteeing permanent residency.

For this stream, AAIP intends to choose candidates who have the following:

• Experience in a skilled and in-demand profession
• Close family ties with one or more individuals in Alberta
• Job offer from an Alberta employer in healthcare sector or eligible tech industry

Notification of Interest (NOI) letter

Candidates can only apply for the Alberta Express Entry stream after they receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) letter from the province. You could be issued a Notification of Interest (NOI) if you meet the following criteria:

• Possess an active profile in the federal Express Entry pool;
• Express an intention to permanently immigrate to Alberta;
• Engage in an occupation that bolsters Alberta’s economic growth and diversification;
• Attain a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300.

Moreover, the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) is more inclined to select individuals who demonstrate one or more adaptability factors. These factors include:

• Holding a valid job offer in Alberta and/or possessing relevant work experience in the province;
• Being a graduate of an Alberta post-secondary institution with a valid job offer in the province;
• Having a parent, child, sibling, or other close relative who is either a permanent resident or Canadian citizen residing in Alberta.

Rural Renewal Stream

This stream focuses on supporting the local economic development of rural communities by attracting skilled foreign workers to settle there. Candidates with job offers from Alberta employers located in rural communities can avail this option.

II. Streams for entrepreneurs:

There are four streams for foreign entrepreneurs who are planning to live in Alberta and start a business in the province. They are:

• Rural Entrepreneur Stream:
  For those who plan to start or buy a business in a rural Alberta community.
• Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
  For those international graduates from Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to establish a business in the province
• Farm Stream
  For entrepreneurs with the financial resources and experience to establish or purchase a farm in Alberta
• Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
  For foreign educated graduates looking to launch start-ups in Alberta

Dedicated Healthcare Pathway

The Alberta Dedicated Healthcare Pathway is a specialized immigration stream within the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) designed to attract and retain skilled healthcare professionals to address labor shortages in Alberta’s healthcare sector. This pathway aims to support the province’s healthcare system by ensuring a steady supply of qualified professionals, thereby enhancing healthcare services for Alberta residents.

The pathway targets specific healthcare occupations, such as:

• registered nurses,
• licensed practical nurses,
• healthcare aides,
• physicians,
• other related professions.

Accelerated Tech Pathway

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) Accelerated Tech Pathway offers a fast-track route to Canadian permanent residence (PR) for skilled tech professionals. This pathway is available to those currently employed by or holding a job offer from an Alberta-based tech industry employer in an eligible tech occupation.

The Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway has specific job offer requirements. To be eligible, the job offer must be for one of 38 selected in-demand tech occupations or from an Alberta employer in an eligible tech industry.

The job offer or contract must be signed by both you and your Alberta employer and should detail your employment terms. It must be

• full-time,
• continuous,
• for at least 12 months
• The wage or salary must meet or exceed the provincial minimum wage and any requirements specified in a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), if applicable.
• If no LMIA is provided, the job offer wage must meet or exceed the starting wage for the occupation across all industries in Alberta.

Eligibility Criteria for Alberta Advantage Immigration Program

The eligibility criteria for streams under the Alberta Advantage Immigrant Program (AAIP) may vary depending on the specific stream, but some common criteria include:

1. Job Offer: Applicants typically need a valid job offer from an Alberta employer in an eligible occupation. The job offer should be full-time and permanent.
2. Work Experience: Candidates usually need relevant work experience in their occupation. The required duration of work experience may vary depending on the specific stream and occupation.
3. Education and Training: Applicants are generally required to have the necessary education and training for their occupation. This often includes post-secondary education or professional certification relevant to the job, as well as an ECA (Educational Credential Assessment) for foreign education.
4. Language Proficiency: Minimum language proficiency requirements must be met, typically in English or French. This is usually assessed through language tests such as IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF.
5. Residency and Intent: Some streams may require candidates to be currently living and working in Alberta, while others may require a commitment to reside and work in the province upon arrival.
6. Community or Employer Endorsement: Depending on the stream, candidates may need an endorsement from a designated rural community in Alberta or from an Alberta employer.
7. Legal Status: Candidates should have legal status in their current country of residence, and if applicable, in Canada.

These are general eligibility criteria, and specific requirements may vary between different streams under the AAIP. It’s essential for applicants to carefully review the eligibility criteria of the specific stream they are interested in before applying.

Documents Required for Alberta Advantage Immigration Program

The specific documents required for the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) can vary depending on the stream and individual circumstances. However, common documents typically include:

1. Identification Documents:
   • Passport or travel document
   • Birth certificate
   • Marriage certificate (if applicable)
   • Adoption documents (if applicable)
2. Education and Training Documents:
   • Educational transcripts
   • Diplomas or degrees
   • Professional certifications or licenses
   • Language test results (e.g., IELTS, CELPIP, TEF)
3. Work Experience Documents:
   • Letters of employment
   • Pay stubs
   • Reference letters from employers
   • Job descriptions
4. Job Offer Documents:
   • Job offer letter from an Alberta employer
   • Employment contract
   • LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) confirmation (if applicable)
5. Financial Documents:
   • Bank statements
   • Proof of funds (if required)
6. Proof of Residency:
   • Lease agreements or property ownership documents
   • Utility bills
   • Driver’s license or other government-issued identification with an Alberta address
7. Police Clearance Certificate:
   • A certificate from each country where the applicant has resided for six months or longer since the age of 18.
8. Medical Examination:
   • Proof of medical examination results from an approved panel physician.
9. Other Supporting Documents:
   • Letters of explanation for any gaps in employment or other discrepancies
   • Proof of relationship for family members included in the application (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate)

How to Apply for the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program

Applying for the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) involves several steps, and the process can vary depending on the specific stream you are applying under. However, here is a general overview of how to apply:

1. Check Eligibility:Review the eligibility criteria for the specific stream under the AAIP that you are interested in. Ensure that you meet all the requirements before proceeding with your application.
2. Create an Express Entry Profile (if applicable):If you are applying under an Express Entry-aligned stream, such as the Alberta Express Entry Stream or the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway, you must first create an Express Entry profile and indicate your interest in immigrating to Alberta.
3. Secure a Job Offer (if required):Obtain a valid job offer from an Alberta employer in an eligible occupation. The job offer should be full-time, permanent, and meet the requirements of the stream you are applying under.
4. Gather Required Documents:Collect all the necessary documents required for your application, including identification documents, educational credentials, work experience certificates, language test results, and any other supporting documentation.
5. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) or Application:Depending on the stream, you may need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) or directly apply to the AAIP. Follow the instructions provided by the Alberta government for the specific stream you are applying under.
6. Receive Invitation to Apply (ITA) (if applicable):If you are selected from the EOI pool or meet the eligibility requirements, you may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for a provincial nomination from Alberta.
7. Submit Application for Provincial Nomination:Complete and submit your application for provincial nomination to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program. Include all required documents and pay any applicable fees.
8. Wait for Nomination Decision:Wait for a decision on your provincial nomination application from the AINP. This process may take several weeks or months.
9. Apply for Permanent Residence with IRCC:If your provincial nomination application is approved, you will receive a nomination certificate from Alberta. You can then use this certificate to apply for permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
10. Undergo Medical Examination and Security Checks:After receiving your nomination certificate, undergo a medical examination with an approved panel physician and complete any required security checks.
11. Receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR):If your permanent residence application is approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and can then proceed with your plans to move to Alberta.

Applying for Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AANP)

AANP provides many pathways for skilled workers and entrepreneurs to migrate to Alberta permanently. If you are searching for the right stream to apply, feel free to reach out to our consultants at CanApprove for guidance. We’ll help make your immigration to Canada easy and as hassle-free as possible. Thanks to our wealth of experience when it comes to migration, you can focus on building your new life in Canada and leave the paperwork to us.