The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), formerly the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program, is an economic immigration program that nominates people for permanent residence in Alberta. Nominees must have skills to fill job shortages or be planning to buy or start a business in Alberta. They must also be able to provide for their families. The program is run by the governments of Alberta and Canada.

If you are nominated through the program, you may apply for permanent residence status together with your spouse or common-law partner, and dependent children.

 

Streams for workers

Alberta Opportunity Stream

At the time your application is submitted, and at the time the AAIP assesses your application, you must have a valid work permit – not status maintained during processing (formerly implied status) or restoration status.

a) Valid work permits.

b) Eligible occupation.

Use IRCC’s Find your NOC tool to find the NOC 2021 version of your occupation.

C) Language proficiency

d) Education requirements

As of January 1, 2021, at the time your application is submitted, you must have completed a minimum of high school education equivalent to Canadian standards.

e) Work experience requirements

Your current occupation must also match your work experience at the time your application is submitted and at the time the AAIP assesses your application.

Alberta Express Entry Stream

The Alberta Express Entry Stream allows Alberta to nominate a limited number of qualified candidates from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Express Entry system.

Steps: 1. Candidates must have an Express Entry profile with the Government of Canada to be considered under this stream

2. The AAIP determines if candidates meet the minimum eligibility criteria to apply. Candidates who meet minimum eligibility criteria will receive an email inviting them to apply.

3. Candidates determine if they meet assessment criteria and submit an application.

Rural Renewal Stream

The Rural Renewal Stream supports the attraction and retention of newcomers to rural Alberta through a community-driven approach that supports local economic development needs and contributes to the growth of the community.

Requirements

  • Community residency
  • Community endorsement
  • Eligible occupation
  • Job offer
  • Qualifying work experience
  • Language proficiency
  • Education Requirement
  • Settle fund
  • Licensing, registration and certification requirements

Streams for entrepreneurs

Rural Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs who want to start a business or buy an existing business in a rural Alberta community can submit an Expression of Interest.

Area Requirements
Work experience Have either a minimum 3 years of experience as an active business owner/manager or a minimum of 4 years of experience as a senior manager within the past 10 years.
Education Completed a minimum of high school equivalent to the Canadian standard with an Education Credential Assessment (ECA). The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website lists the designated organizations for ECAs
Language Have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 4 for each English language skill or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) of 4 for each French language skill: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Official test results must be less than 2 years old at the time your Expression of Interest is submitted. The AAIP only accepts the following language tests: Check the IRCC website on CLB/NCLC equivalency for each of the tests.
Net worth Minimum net worth of $300,000. All assets must be candidate’s own personal holdings or spouse’s or common-law partner’s.
Business investment Minimum investment of $200,000 from candidate’s own (and/or spouse/common-law partner) equity. Higher levels of investment will be awarded more points.
Business establishment Minimum ownership of 51% for a new business. Business Partners must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents. OR 100% ownership for business succession (the succession buy-out must result in a complete change in ownership where the candidate will assume full control of the business). Business must not be on the list of ineligible businesses. Resources on how to establish a business in Alberta, including supports and services related to business plan development, business start-up, and business loans are available on the Small business resource page.
Job creation New businesses must create at least one full-time job for Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents (not including relatives). More job creation will be awarded more points. Jobs must be created for Canadian citizens or permanent residents (not including relatives) for a period of at least 6 months. For business succession, job creation is not required.
Community support letter Candidates must have a Community Support Letter from a participating rural Alberta community.

 

Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

The Graduate Entrepreneur Stream allows the AAIP to nominate qualified international graduates from Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to establish or operate a business in Alberta to apply for permanent residence.

Area Requirement
Education Have completed at least two years of full-time education, resulting in a degree or diploma from an Alberta Advanced Education publicly funded post-secondary institution.
Work permit Have a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which is valid at the time of your Expression of Interest (EOI) submission.
Language Have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7 for each English language skill or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) of 7 for each French language skill: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Official test results must be less than 2 years old at the time your EOI is submitted. Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) only accepts the following language tests: Check the federal guideline on CLB/NCLC equivalency for each of the tests.
Business establishment Must establish a new business or buy an existing business in Alberta with a minimum 34% ownership. The proposed business type must not be on the list of ineligible businesses.

Candidates are not required to establish a business in Alberta until their Business Application is approved by the AAIP. Find resources on how to establish a business in Alberta, including supports and services related to business plan development, business start-up, and business loans.

Business Partners must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents.

 

Farm

This stream is for entrepreneurs who have the financial resources and farm management experience to establish a new or purchase an existing farm in Alberta.

Candidates must submit their application, along with a proposed business plan, to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) for assessment. The AAIP will consult with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation to ensure the business plan is feasible and viable, and meets the needs of Alberta’s agriculture industry.

 

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur

The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is an economic immigration program for qualified foreign educated graduates from outside of Canada who want to launch start-up enterprises and innovative businesses in Alberta.