The AAIP (Alberta Advantage Immigration Program) is the program used by the province of Alberta to choose its future permanent residents, who satisfy to Alberta’s target criteria and who wish to settle in and work in the province.
The AAIP is one of Canada’s PNPs, which includes categories for skilled or semi-skilled workers as well as additional ones for entrepreneurs and graduate entrepreneurs.
Choosing Alberta Immigration
Alberta, a western province of Canada, is home to two of the largest cities in Canada, Calgary and Edmonton. Being the fourth most populated province, after Ontario, Québec, and British Columbia, Alberta is the largest producer of oil and gas in Canada, and attracts many immigrants working in those industries.
Apart from some federal programs, the immigration authorities of Alberta also propose some immigration streams. Only one of these streams is aligned with Express Entry.
If the application is successful, then a provincial nomination is issued leading the applicant to receiving 600 extra CRS points. This leads the applicant to obtain an ITA in the following Express Entry draw.
Concerning the other non-aligned Express Entry streams, there is no need to be in the pool. There are streams for Skilled Workers with job offers in Alberta, as well as for entrepreneurs already established in the province or foreigners wishing to invest their money in the province as well.
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) – Overview
| Stream | Main Criteria (not exhaustive) | Job Offer Required | Aligned with Express Entry | Application Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta Express Entry | Currently working or having a job offer in a targeted Tech occupation
Have an Express Entry online profile with a CRS score of minimum 300 points Receiving an invitation to apply |
No | Yes | $1,500 |
| Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) | Have valid temporary resident status in Canada
Have a valid work permit for an eligible occupation Minimum CLB of 4 in either English or French Full-time job offer of at least 12 months to work in an eligible occupation Receiving an invitation to apply |
Yes | No | $1,500 |
| Rural Renewal | Have a valid Endorsement of Candidate Letter issued by the Economic Development Organization (EDO) of a designated rural community in Alberta
Have a full-time job offer from an Alberta employer to work in an eligible occupation in the designated rural community Minimum CLB4 (NOC TEER 4 or 5) or CLB5 (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3) in either English or French Have completed at least the equivalent of a high school degree Have sufficient funds to settle in the designated community if not residing in Canada or if currently in Canada but are not working Receiving an invitation to apply |
Yes | No | $1,500 |
| Tourism and Hospitality | Have been working full-time (min. 30 h/week) with an approved Tourism and Hospitality employer, in one of the eligible occupations, for a minimum of six consecutive months (or minimum of 780 hours)
Have a full-time job offer or employment contract for an eligible occupation in Alberta with your current approved Tourism and Hospitality employer Have completed at least the equivalent of a high school degree Minimum CLB4 in either English or French Receiving an invitation to apply |
Yes | No | $1,500 |
| Farm | Relevant farm knowledge & experience
Min net worth of $500,000 and invest $500,000 |
No | No | $3,500 |
| Graduate Entrepreneur | Have completed at least two years of full-time post-secondary education in Alberta
Have a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Minimum CLB of 7 in either English or French Establish a new business or buy an existing business in Alberta with a minimum 34% ownership |
No | No | $3,500
+ $200 for Expression of Interest |
| Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur | Have a minimum of 6 months of full-time work experience that can be a combination of actively managing or owning a business or equivalent
Have completed at least the equivalent of a Bachelor's degree outside Canada Minimum CLB of 5 in either English or French Invest a mandatory minimum of $100,000 for an urban centre (min. ownership of 34%) or $50,000 for a regional area (min. ownership of 51%) Have a letter of recommendation from a Designated Agency |
No | No | $3,500
+ $200 for Expression of Interest |
| Rural Entrepreneur | Have either a min. 3 years of experience as an active business owner/manager or a min. of 4 years of experience as a senior manager
Have completed at least the equivalent of a high school degree Minimum CLB of 4 in either English or French Invest min. $200,000 in a participating rural Alberta community with min. ownership of 51% for a new business OR 100% ownership for business succession Min. net worth of $300,000 New businesses must create at least one full-time job (not including relatives) Have a Community Support Letter from a participating rural Alberta community |
No | No | $3,500
+ $200 for Expression of Interest |
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) – Guides
For more detailed information on the AAIP streams, you can consult our stream guides below. Each guide includes the stream’s eligibility requirements, application process, documents needed, cost, processing times, etc.
