Alberta PNP Program

What is the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)?

The (AINP – Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program), currently known as the AAIP – Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, is directed at persons with the necessary qualities and skills to fill Alberta’s labor market gaps. Alberta’s Provincial Nominee Program accepts skilled worker applications through the Alberta Opportunity Pathway and Express Entry systems. AINP also oversees two business immigration pathways: the Farmer Self-Employed and the Overseas Graduate Entrepreneur Pathway.

The Alberta PNP is operated by the Alberta government in partnership with the National Immigration Department IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada). Candidates interested in immigrating to Canada through AINP must undergo a two-stage process:

Every year, IRCC allocates a specified amount of nominations to AINP.

What are different AINP Immigration Pathways?

AINP, or the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program, accepts applications from candidates via the following four immigration pathways:

Quebec selects the majority of the overseas nationals for immigration every year through the Economic Class, which comprises of the following five programs:

Alberta Opportunity Pathway

AINP established the Alberta Opportunity Pathway in June 2018, replacing the province’s Employer-Driven Pathway and Strategic Recruitment Pathway. It intends to simplify the AINP application process, reduce wait times, and make the system more equitable for both companies and candidates.

Minimum requirements for AINP Opportunity Pathway

Candidates must meet a variety of conditions to be eligible for the Alberta Opportunity Pathway. Unless otherwise noted, all requirements must be met when the application is submitted and assessed by AINP.

Work Visa and Residence

Qualified candidates must hold the status of valid Provisional Resident in Canada, which allows them to work. A valid work visa must be based on any of the following:

Candidates must also work in an eligible occupation.

Unqualified candidates:

Individuals with a Post-Graduate Work Visa are additionally required to meet additional requirements. Their current occupation must be related to their field of study in the Alberta province.

If you enrolled and were admitted to your program prior to April 1, 2019, your qualification must have been offered by an authorized institution and be any of the following:

If you enroll and are admitted to your program after April 1, 2019, your qualification must be on the Alberta Opportunity Pathway’s authorized list.

Occupation Requirements

To be eligible for the Alberta Opportunity Pathway, you must first be employed in a qualified occupation in Alberta. The majority of occupations classified as NOC – National Occupational Classification Skill levels D, C, B, A, and 0 are eligible for AINP. In contrast to some other Canadian provinces, Alberta does not prefer candidates whose jobs are pre-determined on a specified list. On the other side, the AINP maintains a list of disqualified jobs.

Language Requirements

When submitting your application, you must include results from language exams that demonstrate a minimum CLB – Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 in all language skills in French (NCLC – Niveaux de competency Linguistique Canadiens) or English. This applies to the majority of the NOC codes.

The lone exception is for applicants with the NOC code 3413 – Patient Service Associates, Orderlies, and Nurse Aides. They must produce a language test score of at least Level 7 CLB or NCLC for each linguistic skill in French or English.

The language requirement for candidates applying under NOC B, A, and 0 has been raised to NCLC or CLB Level 5 effective January 1, 2020.

Education Requirements

You must have completed at least High School Education in your country of origin at the time of application.

Starting January 1, 2021, candidates must have completed at least High School Education in accordance with Alberta standards.

Work Experience Requirements

When you submit your application, you need to have:

At least 12 months of full-time experience in your current occupation in Alberta within the previous 18 months; OR
Within the last 30 months, you must have at least 24 months* of full-time experience in your current occupation, either in Canada or abroad. (* It can be a combination of experience gained in Alberta province, outside Alberta, inside Canada, or beyond.)

The Post-Graduation Work Visa holders are required to have at least six months of experience of work in:

Additional requirements

You must have certification, registration, or licensing to work in your current occupation in Alberta.

You must have a full-time and valid job offer from a company in Alberta to work in your current occupation, as well as be employed full-time by that employer in Alberta.

The job offer must have yours and your employer in Alberta's signature and must provide:

What is Alberta Express Entry Pathway?

Alberta’s Express Entry Pathway allows the province to nominate a limited number of eligible applicants from the federal Express Entry pool. AINP picks suitable candidates directly from the Express Entry pool. Candidates must first get the Notification of Interest before submitting an application.

The immigration stream is for people who have a strong connection to Alberta and can contribute to the province’s economy and diversity. Overseas graduates are also invited.

The requirements for Alberta Express Entry stream

Candidates must meet the following qualifications to be eligible to receive a Notification of Interest:

Have an operational profile in the Canada Express Entry pool
Must indicate interest in permanent immigration to Alberta
Must work in an occupation that contributes to Alberta's economic development and diversity
The minimum CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score must be 300 points

The below factors can boost the chances of obtaining the NOI for candidates:

The below factors can reduce the chances of obtaining the NOI for candidates:

Alberta Self-Employed Farmer Pathway

The AINP maintains the Self-Employed Farmer Pathway in close collaboration with Alberta’s Agriculture and Forestry Department. It prioritizes individuals with farm management expertise and appropriate financial resources for investing in the province’s agricultural businesses.

Requirements

The applicants of the Self-Employed Farmer Pathway must possess:

Experience in managing an existing farming enterprise
Work experience, skills, and education are necessary for creating a sustainable agricultural business in Alberta province
A business plan for the agricultural enterprise to be developed in the province
Proof that a financial institution in Canada is willing to sponsor the planned agricultural enterprise
A minimum of $500,000 in equity is required to invest in the agricultural firm. A net worth of at least $500,000, or authorization to access these funds

Alberta Overseas Graduate Entrepreneur Pathway

Alberta’s Overseas Graduate Entrepreneur Pathway is designed for international graduates of post-secondary educational institutions in the province. They have to want to run or open a business in the province.

In order to obtain a work visa, candidates must first operate or establish their business in Alberta for a minimum of one year. After they fulfill the terms of the Agreement for Business Performance, they are then nominated by the AINP for a Canada PR Visa.

Steps to apply for PR Visa through AINPs Entrepreneur pathway

Step 1: Furnishing an EOI - Expression of Interest

Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements may submit their EOIs; these will be evaluated and scores will be provided within a month of submission. The business application will need to be provided by the top-ranked candidates.

Step 2: Submission of Package for Business Application

Within three months of being chosen from the EOI pool, candidates must submit the business application. The $3,500 non-refundable application fee needs to be paid as well.

Step 3: Assessment of Business Application

After receiving the Business Application and any supporting documentation from the candidates, the AINP evaluates them. The candidates whose business application is accepted will receive a signed Business Performance Agreement (BPA).

Step 4: Establishment of the Business in Alberta

Candidates must reside in Alberta and actively operate and own their business for at least one year after receiving the Letter of Approval for Business Application. They must own at least 34% of the business.

Step 5: Concluding Report for Nomination from AINP

After meeting the Business Performance conditions, the AINP submits the final report for nominations. If IRCC – Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada – approves the final report and sends the candidate a nomination letter, AINP will send them a Certificate of Nomination.

Latest Alberta PNP Draws

AINP regularly reviews the profiles of candidates in the Canada Express Entry pool. It then issues NOIs to candidates, inviting them to apply for nomination via AINP Draws. The details of every draw are usually announced nearly one month after the draw has been held.

What are the Occupations that are in demand in Alberta?

The following are the List of Eligible In-demand Occupations in Alberta:

Management occupations
Business, administration, and finance jobs
Applied and natural sciences and related occupations
Occupations in Health
Work in government service, religion, social science, and education
Jobs in Recreation, Sports, Art, and Culture
Jobs in Sales and Service
Equipment Operators, Trades, Transport, and Related Occupations
Occupations Exceptional for Manufacturing, Processing, and Utility

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