Alberta is a prosperous province rich in natural beauty and resources.
With a population of more than two million, Alberta is one of Canada’s most populated provinces, with Calgary and Edmonton the two biggest cities in the nation. Banff and Jasper National Parks, two of North America’s most magnificent, are located here.
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program is run by the government (AINP). An Alberta Provincial Nomination Certificate may be issued to potential immigrants who meet the program’s criteria of having the correct combination of skills and work experience required by the province.
Alberta Immigration Streams
AINP, which provides permanent residence in Canada to entrepreneurs and skilled foreign workers, has grown to be one of Canada’s most popular immigrant recruitment programmes as a result of a combination of factors, including growth in the province’s temporary foreign worker population and tightening federal immigration policies. Additionally, the AINP (or Alberta PNP) provides fast-tracked application processing periods with its new online interface, which reduces processing times to as short as four or six months!
The Alberta Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) may be a good option for you if you want to move to Canada.
What Is the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)?
The Alberta Provincial Nominee Program (aka Alberta PNP, or AINP) 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 3 Canadian immigration streams under the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program:
| Alberta INP Categories |
|---|
| Alberta Express Entry Stream |
| Alberta Express Entry Accelerated Tech Stream |
| Alberta Opportunity Stream |
| International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream |
| Foreign Graduate Start-up Visa Stream |
| Self-Employed Farmer Stream |
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 | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry Profile | Yes (Minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 300) |
| Connection to Province | No |
| Job Offer | No |
| Language Proficiency | Express Entry Requirements (CLB 7 for FSWP and CEC; CLB4 for FSTP) |
| Level of Education | Express Entry Requirements (tertiary qualification, high school and/or job-specific training or on-the-job-training) |
| Work Experience | Express Entry Requirements (1 year for FSWP and CEC; 2 years for FSTP) |
| Age | Express Entry Requirements |
| Income/Settlement Funds | Yes |
| Average Processing Time | 4 – 6 months |
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 | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry Profile | Yes (Minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 300) |
| Connection to Province | Yes |
| Job Offer | Yes |
| Language Proficiency | Express Entry Requirements (CLB 7 for FSWP and CEC; CLB4 for FSTP) |
| Level of Education | Express Entry Requirements (tertiary qualification, high school and/or job-specific training or on-the-job-training) |
| Work Experience | Express Entry Requirements (1 year for FSWP and CEC; 2 years for FSTP) |
| Age | Express Entry Requirements |
| Income/Settlement Funds | Yes |
| Average Processing Time | 4 – 6 months |
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 | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry Profile | No |
| Connection to Province | Work Experience |
| Job Offer | Yes |
| Language Proficiency | NOC 0, A or B – CLB 5 or higher NOC C or D – CLB4 or higher |
| Level of Education | High School Diploma/Certificate |
| Age | No |
| Work Experience | At Least 12 months |
| Income/Settlement Funds | No |
| Average Processing Time | 4 – 6 months (AIP Online Portal) 15 – 19 months (paper application) |
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.
International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
The International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream (IGEIS) 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.
| International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream Eligibility Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry Profile | No |
| Connection to Province | At least 2 years of full-time degree or diploma from an educational institution in Alberta Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holder valid for at least 2 years |
| Job Offer | No |
| Language Proficiency | CLB/NCLC 7 or higher |
| Level of Education | Post-secondary (Diploma or degree) |
| Age | No |
| Work Experience | At Least 6 months actively managing and/or owning a business |
| Business Establishment | Yes (at least 34% ownership of a new or existing business in Alberta) |
| Income/Settlement Funds | No |
| Average Processing Time | 4 – 6 months (AIP Online Portal) 15 – 19 months (paper application) |
Foreign Graduate Start-up Visa Stream
The Foreign Graduate Start-up Visa Stream (FGSVS) 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
| Foreign Graduate Start-up Visa Stream Stream Eligibility Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry Profile | No |
| Connection to Province | No |
| Job Offer | No |
| Language Proficiency | CLB/NCLC 7 |
| Level of Education | Degree from a post-secondary institution outside of Canada within the last 2 years with an ECA |
| Work Experience | 6 months full-time work experience of managing and/or owning a business or equivalent |
| Age | No |
| Business Plan | Yes |
| Pitch Deck | 10-minute slide presentation that outlines proposed business venture and investors requirements |
| Income/Settlement Funds | Yes |
| Letter of Recommendation | Yes |
| Business Establishment | At least 34 percent ownership (urban centre) or 51 percent (regional area outside Calgary and Edmonton) |
| Business Investment | At least $100,000 (urban centre) or $50,000 (regional area) |
| Average Processing Time | TBC |
Self-Employed Farmer Stream
This Self Employed 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 Self-Employed Stream Eligibility Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry Profile | No |
| Connection to Province | No |
| Job Offer | No |
| Language Proficiency | No minimum |
| Level of Education | No minimum |
| Work Experience | Express Entry Requirements (1 year for FSWP and CEC; 2 years for FSTP) |
| Age | Express Entry Requirements |
| Business Plan | Yes |
| Income/Settlement Funds | No |
| Investment Funds | At Least $500,000 equity |
| Net Worth | At Least $500,000 |
| Investment from Canadian Institutions | Written proof (if applicable) |
| Average Processing Time | 15 – 19 months (paper application only) |
Those Who Cannot Apply for the AINP Self Employed Farmer 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.
