The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is a popular gateway for Canadian immigration. Alberta’s robust economy requires people with a suitable skill set and professionals who can help generate revenue streams. Hence, AAIP is an ideal pathway for skilled workers seeking to carve promising careers and a quality of life for their families. To optimize opportunities for immigration seekers, young professionals, entrepreneurs, business people, international graduates, and skilled workers, the Canadian government has made several changes to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). Read more about the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), the AAIP process, requirements, subcategories, and other updates
Key Highlights: Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
- Fast and easy process if all eligibility criteria are met
- Province constantly improves the list of occupations, particularly in IT and IT-enabled Services (ITeS) industries
- Applicants from diversified occupations can apply under AAIP
- Introduction of changes in fee submission and marking corrections
- Introduction of a new program by Alberta Province under Express Entry Stream
- A new online portal is available to submit applications for Express Entry – Tech Pathway Stream
- Some changes in the Self-Employed Farmer Stream
- Alberta Opportunity Stream also applicable to skilled and semi-skilled workers
- Alberta Self-Employed Farmer Stream is ideal for interested applicants looking forward to gaining business rights here
- Excellent prospects for professionals engaged in the petroleum, technology, and agriculture sectors
Alberta is the country’s largest producer of crude oil, natural gas, and related products. This Canadian province has a sound economy, propelled by expansion in the petroleum industry and technology, IT, and agriculture sectors. Alberta is the world’s second-largest exporter of natural gas and generates ample job opportunities for skilled workers and young professionals. This Canadian province also offers occupations and job profiles to immigrants in ICT, healthcare, general administration, finance, and other departments.
The province of Alberta welcomes foreign skilled workers, international graduates, entrepreneurs, start-up enthusiasts, and trained professionals to work and settle in Canada. The AAIP is one of the fastest and easiest platforms to immigrate to Canada. Immigration seekers can apply for AAIP at any time in 2023.
Two major Canadian cities – Calgary and Edmonton – are located in Alberta. The Calgary-Edmonton Corridor is considered Canada’s most urbanized and populous region. Keeping in mind its growth prospects, the corridor promises many people engaged in industries operating there a bright future.
Some changes have been made to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program fees. These changes are:
- Candidates must pay a fee to submit the nomination application after selection as well for post-decision services (requests for nomination extensions, 204(c) Letters of Support, and reconsiderations)
- 204(c) Letters of Support are no longer issued at the time of nomination. Nominees must submit a request to be considered for a 204(c) Letter of Support
- All requests for post-decision services must be sent by email
- Updates and corrections to AINP applications must be sent by email
- The steps for applying to the Self-Employed Farmer Stream have changed
Changes introduced in terms of application fees and fee conditions include:
- An application fee of CAD $ 500 applies to all online applications
- Fee (charges) does not apply to applications sent on or before October 1, 2020
Interested applicants can migrate to Alberta without a job offer under the Express Entry Stream.
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.
Applications for permanent residence are managed by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. The federal government also makes final decisions on these applications.
Below are the 8 Canadian immigration streams under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program Categories:
| Alberta PNP Category | Is a job required? | Is the stream aligned with Express Entry? | Is it currently receiving applications? | Connection to Province |
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | Yes | No | Yes | Have work experience in the province |
| Alberta Express Entry Stream | No | Yes | Yes | Have work experience in the province OR Have a parent, child, brother or sister who is a permanent resident or Canadian citizen of Alberta |
| Accelerated Tech Pathway | Yes | Yes | Yes | Work full-time in Alberta or having a job offer for full-time work in Alberta |
| Rural Renewal Stream | Yes | No | Yes | Must intend to and be able to reside and work in the designated community in Alberta |
| Farm Stream | No | No | Yes | N/A |
| Graduate Entrepreneur Stream | No | No | Yes | Completed education in Alberta |
| Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream | No | No | Yes | N/A |
| Rural Entrepreneur Stream | No | No | Yes | Must have a community support letter from a participating rural Alberta community |
Alberta Express Entry Stream
- Eligibility
- How to apply
- After you Nominated
- Accelerated Tech Pathway
A limited number of successful candidates from the federal government of Canada’s Express Entry pool are nominated under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). This pathway allows skilled and semi-skilled workers to be nominated by Alberta province. The provincial authorities nominate candidates based on the requirements of local labour markets and industries.
It is important to note that Alberta does not have a specific job demand list, implying that skilled and semi-skilled workers from different industrial backgrounds can apply under this stream. The provincial authorities also prefer candidates with a proven skilled trade or occupation record to contribute to the economy and generate revenue streams. It is important to note that Express Entry candidates nominated by Alberta province receive 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points and an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian Permanent Residence in the next draw of Express Entry. Moreover, international graduates who have pursued higher education from recognized Canadian universities and colleges can also apply to this stream.
| Alberta Express Entry Stream Eligibility Requirements |
| Express Entry Profile | Yes (Minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 300) |
| Connection to Province | Not Mandatory, Benefits you if you have |
| Job Offer | Not Mandatory, Benefits you if you have |
| 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 |
Factors that Increase or decrease the chances of selection under Alberta Advantage Immigration Program
- Candidate have a job offer letter from an employer
- Candidate have any blood relation like parent, child, brother or sister who is a permanent resident or Canadian citizen living in Alberta
- Candidate profile demand under the Accelerated Tech Pathway demand and have job offer letter
- Candidate have a knowledge of French language and have language test scores
- Candidate chances decreases if Express Entry expires in 5 months of less
- Candidate chances decrease if job profile is coming under the Ineligible Occupation List
Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway
The Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway is managed by the province of Alberta and is one of the streams of AAIP-Express Entry Stream designed for foreign skilled workers whose profiles are listed in the Tech Pathway Profiles Demand List and have a Job Offer Letter. There are 38 eligible in-demand jobs in Alberta
It includes IT & Non-IT professionals. Candidates get priority under this stream if they have a job offer letter from an Alberta employer.
The selected occupation of applicants should be one of the eligible jobs out of 38, as mentioned in the National Occupational Classification (NOC or in-demand) list. The valid job offer must highlight details of employment and must be full-time, regular, and paid for at least 12 months. Interested tech applicants must mention the primary NOC code and Alberta valid job offer in their Express Entry profile.
| 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 |
Checklist of Documents for Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
Canada Immigration requires documentation, liaison, and coordination with the concerned authorities. Applicants willing to work and stay in Alberta must submit authentic and valid documents to support visa applications. Applicants may face rejection of visa applications if they fail to submit the required set of valid documents.
Here is a list of mandatory documents required for processing of an application for the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)-
- Identity proof
- Address proof
- Birth certificate of dependent children
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Sufficient funds
- Letter of Support issued by the provincial authorities
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (seek assistance from a trustworthy immigration consultant)
- Valid employment proof
- Relevant work experience certificates
- Academic credentials
- English language proficiency test score
- Notification of Interest
What should you consider before you apply for AAIP?
If you wish to submit your visa application, please keep the following points in mind:
- Read all the immigration-related information carefully, especially regarding the labour market requirement. The AAIP criterion gets evaluated often and is subject to change anytime before notice.
- Review the selection criterion of AAIP. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria of their chosen immigration stream.
- Good English language proficiency always helps to gain good CRS points. Thus, always aim for a high band IELTS score.
- Start the application process by creating a profile in the AAIP portal.
Processing Time for AAIP
Applicants who fulfill all the eligibility requirements of AAIP can apply immediately. The provincial authorities will verify the given information of applicants at a specified time. Hence, the processing time depends on the volume of applications and the labour market requirements of employers. Eligible and successful applicants receive a nomination certificate after getting their applications verified and approved. This entire process is carried out in seven to nine months, and this duration may extend depending on the requirements of a visa application or case file.
It is important to note that Alberta provincial authorities conduct draws at regular intervals in which applicants having the highest CRS points get selected faster and receive a certificate of nomination. Such applicants receive an additional 600 points in addition to the points allocated in the Express Entry gateway. Therefore, entry into the Canadian provincial nominee program of Alberta province depends on the frequency of draws and the CRS of candidates.