Alberta Express Entry – Overview
The Alberta Express Entry (AEE) stream is one of Alberta’s PNP streams that is aligned with Express Entry, which means that a candidate needs a valid Express Entry profile to be eligible to the stream.
Alberta, through this stream, chooses its future newcomers to the province under a set of specific requirements.
The AAIP goes through all the candidates already in the Express Entry pool, and sends Notification of Interest letters (equivalent to invitations to apply) to the ones whose profile corresponds best to their needs.
The AEE stream has minimum eligibility requirements, however, Alberta does not send Notification of Interest letters to every candidate that meets these minimum criteria. In fact, Alberta conducts periodic AEE draws, and each draw has its own criteria (in addition to the minimum criteria). More information is available in the draw history section of this guide.
Since December 2021, the AAIP has launched a program called “Accelerated Tech pathway“. The latter allows candidates with a job offer in the technology sector to be invited to submit an application more quickly and to benefit from less processing times.
If nominated, a candidate will receive an additional 600 CRS points in their Express Entry profile, thus guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply.
The guide below takes a deep look into one of the streams of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Nominee Program (AAIP), the Alberta Express Entry (AEE) stream. The guide will go through an overview of the stream, its eligibility requirements, how it works, the documentation needed, its cost and processing times.
Alberta Express Entry – Eligibility Requirements
Minimum requirements
As said earlier, meeting these minimum eligibility requirements does not necessarily mean that you will receive a Notification of Interest letter from the AAIP. These are other sets of criteria that are specific to each draw.
These are the minimum criteria of eligibility under the Alberta Express Entry (AEE) stream:
- Having an active Express Entry profile in the pool of candidates.
- Meeting the criteria of minimum one of the federal immigration programs: Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Trades (FST) or Federal Skilled Worker (FSW).
- Having at a minimum, a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300.
- Having expressed the intention to live and work permanently in Alberta and have stated an interest in immigrating permanently to Alberta.
- Intending to, and being able to work and live in the province of Alberta.
- Having experience in a job (primary occupation in your federal Express Entry profile) is an occupation in demand, included as part of a specific Alberta Express Entry stream pathway, or is identified an as occupation connected to a provincial economic, sector or occupational priority. Please note that the volume of applications or nominations for your primary occupation in the current calendar year processed by the AAIP must be considered reasonable to meet provincial economic immigration priorities.
- Not having your primary occupation on the Alberta Opportunity Stream Ineligible Occupations list (see below for NOC codes list).
The following adaptability factors may increase the chances of receiving a Notification of Interest letter:
- Having a valid Alberta job offer (continuous, paid full-time work in a location in Alberta (min. of 30 h/week), for a min. 12-month contract, with wages and benefits that meet or exceed provincial minimum wage).
- Having graduated from a post-secondary institution in Canada.
- Having a Canadian citizen or permanent resident immediate family member (parent, child, brother and/or sister) who is currently living in the province of Alberta.
- Having French as a first language.
- Having an Express Entry profile expiring in more than 5 months.
List of Alberta Opportunity Stream Ineligible Occupations
- NOC 00010 – Legislators
- NOC 40021 – School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education
- NOC 40030 – Managers in social, community and correctional services
- NOC 40041 – Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers
- NOC 60040* – Escort agency managers, massage parlour managers
- NOC 41100 – Judges
- NOC 41220 – Secondary school teachers
- NOC 41221 – Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
- NOC 51111 – Authors and writers (except technical)
- NOC 51122 – Musicians and singers
- NOC 42200* – Justices of the peace
- NOC 42202* – Early childhood educators who do not have certification through Alberta Children’s Services – Child Care Staff Certification Office or who have been certified as Level 1 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Assistant)
- NOC 43100 – Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
- NOC 43109 – Other instructors
- NOC 53121 – Actors, comedians and circus performers
- NOC 53122 – Painters, sculptors and other visual artists
- NOC 53124 – Artisans and craftspersons
- NOC 53200 – Athletes
- NOC 63101 – Real estate agents and salespersons
- NOC 33100* – Dental laboratory assistants/bench workers
* This NOC code consists of both eligible occupations and ineligible occupations. The occupation title specifies which occupations are ineligible for each NOC Code listed.
Alberta Express Entry pathways
There are 5 pathways that are currently available to candidates to be able to receive a nomination from the AAIP.
Family connection and primary occupation in demand pathway
There are two main criteria (in addition to the minimum criteria above) to be selected in a draw under this pathway:
- The principal applicant must have a parent, child or sibling in Alberta who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (in-laws of the principal applicant are not eligible)
- The primary occupation of the principal applicant is an occupation in demand in Alberta. The following approaches are used to determine which occupations are in demand in Alberta:
- Occupations with significant cumulative imbalance on Alberta’s Occupational Outlook.
- Occupations in ‘High’ or ‘Moderately High’ demand in the Short-Term Employment Forecast.
- Select occupations in the agriculture, construction, healthcare, or tourism and hospitality sectors.
Priority may be given to candidates with an Alberta job offer.
Dedicated Healthcare pathway
There are three main criteria (in addition to the minimum criteria above) to be selected in a draw under this pathway:
- Have a primary occupation in an eligible National Occupational Classification (NOC) code
- Have a valid and verifiable job offer from an Alberta employer in the health sector in an eligible healthcare profession.
- Provide verifiable proof of meeting the minimal requirements prescribed by the applicable regulatory organization to be able to practice the eligible healthcare profession in Alberta.
Eligible healthcare professions under this pathway, and the applicable regulatory organization responsible for proof of ability to practice in Alberta, include:
- Physicians – College of Physicians and Surgeon of Alberta (CPSA)
- Registered Nurses (RNs) – College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) – College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA)
- Nurse Practitioners (NPs) – College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)
- Physician Assistants – College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA)
- Occupational Therapist – Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (ACOT)
- Physiotherapist – College of Physiotherapist of Alberta (CPA)
- Clinical Social Worker – Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW)
- Psychologist – College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP)
If you are not able to create an Express Entry profile of 300 CRS points or more, you can still apply for the Dedicated Healthcare pathway if you are eligible by submitting a webform to the AAIP. You will need to prove at least a CLB level of 5 in all four language abilities.
Law Enforcement pathway
There are one main criteria (in addition to the minimum criteria above) to be selected in a draw under this pathway. You need to have a valid, verifiable job offer from an employer in the Alberta police services in one of the following eligible occupations:
- NOC 40040 – Commissioned (management) police offers and related occupations in public protection services
- NOC 41310 – Police investigators and other investigative occupations
- NOC 42100 – Police officers (except commissioned)
Priority sectors pathway
There is one main criteria (in addition to the minimum criteria above) to be selected in a draw under this pathway:
- The primary occupation of the principal applicant is connected to agriculture, construction, or hospitality and tourism sectors.
Priority may be given to candidates with an Alberta job offer or whose primary occupation is in demand.
Accelerated Tech pathway
The process for the Accelerated Tech pathway is slightly different in that applicants must submit an interest form on their own, and if the AAIP considers that they meet the eligibility criteria below, they should receive an invitation to submit an application (while other applicants receive their invitation while waiting in the Express Entry pool).
There are 2 main criteria (in addition to the minimum criteria above) to be eligible under the Accelerated Tech pathway:
- Currently working full time or have a full time job offer for an employer based in Alberta:
- in an occupation that is on the list of occupations eligible for the Accelerated Tech pathway (see below),
- for an employer who is part of the Alberta technology industry as defined by their eligible NAICS codes (see below),
- with a base monetary wage or salary that meets provincial minimum wage, and meets or exceeds the requirements set out in your Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), or if you are LMIA exempt or do not have an LMIA, meets or exceeds the lowest starting wage for your occupation across all industries in Alberta.
- The primary occupation of the Express Entry profile must match the current job or job offer.
List of eligible occupations under the Accelerated Tech pathway
- NOC 00012 – Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services
- NOC 10011 – Human resources managers
- NOC 10022 – Advertising, marketing and public relations managers
- NOC 10030 – Telecommunication carriers managers
- NOC 11200 – Human resources professionals
- NOC 11202 – Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations
- NOC 12101 – Human resources and recruitment officers
- NOC 20010 – Engineering managers
- NOC 20011 – Architecture and science managers
- NOC 20012 – Computer and information systems managers
- NOC 21210 – Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries
- NOC 21211 – Data scientists
- NOC 21220 – Cybersecurity specialists
- NOC 21221 – Business systems specialists
- NOC 21222 – Information systems specialists
- NOC 21233 – Web designers
- NOC 21223 – Database analysts and data administrators
- NOC 21231 – Software engineers and designers
- NOC 21230 – Computer systems developers and programmers
- NOC 21232 – Software developers and programmers
- NOC 21234 – Web developers and programmers
- NOC 21300 – Civil engineers
- NOC 21301 – Mechanical engineers
- NOC 21310 – Electrical and electronics engineers
- NOC 21311 – Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
- NOC 22110 – Biological technologists and technicians
- NOC 22212 – Drafting technologists and technicians
- NOC 22220 – Computer network and web technicians
- NOC 22221 – User support technicians
- NOC 22222 – Information systems testing technicians
- NOC 22301 – Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- NOC 22302 – Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
- NOC 22310 – Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- NOC 32120 – Medical laboratory technologists
- NOC 32129 – Other medical technologists and technicians
- NOC 33101 – Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
- NOC 41402 – Business development officers and market researchers and analysts
- NOC 50011 – Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
- NOC 51120 – Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
- NOC 52120 – Graphic designers and illustrators
- NOC 60010 – Corporate sales managers
- NOC 72200 – Electricians (except industrial and power system)
- NOC 72201 – Industrial electricians
- NOC 72205 – Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians
List of eligible NAICS codes under the Accelerated Tech pathway
- NAICS 2211 – Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution
- NAICS 3251 – Basic Chemical Manufacturing
- NAICS 3254 – Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing
- NAICS 3333 – Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing
- NAICS 3341 – Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing
- NAICS 3342 – Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- NAICS 3343 – Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing
- NAICS 3344 – Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing
- NAICS 3345 – Navigational, Medical and Control Instruments Manufacturing
- NAICS 3346 – Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media
- NAICS 3364 – Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing
- NAICS 4173 – Computer and Communications Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
- NAICS 5112 – Software Publishers
- NAICS 5121 – Motion Picture and Video Industries
- NAICS 5173 – Wireless Telecommunications Carrier (except satellite)
- NAICS 5174 – Satellite Telecommunications
- NAICS 5179 – Other Telecommunications
- NAICS 5182 – Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services
- NAICS 5191 – Other Information Services
- NAICS 5413 – Architectural, Engineering and Related services
- NAICS 5414 – Specialized Design Services
- NAICS 5415 – Computer Systems Design and Related Services
- NAICS 5417 – Scientific Research and Development Services
- NAICS 5419 – Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
- NAICS 7115 – Independent Artists, Writers and Performers
- NAICS 8112 – Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
Alberta Express Entry – Application Process
For a better understanding of the process, below is a list of the steps involved in obtaining Permanent Residence through the Alberta Express Entry (AEE) stream. Candidates must:
- Meet the eligibility requirements of the federal FSW, FST or CEC programs.
- Generate their Express Entry profile, and specify their interest in the province by selecting “Alberta” or “All Provinces and Territories”.
- Qualify for the minimum AEE stream eligibility requirements.
- Depending on the applicable pathway:
- For Accelerated Tech pathway Express Entry candidates: Complete the Accelerated Tech Pathway form.
- For other pathways: Obtain a Notification of Interest letter from the AAIP through the Express Entry profile and email a copy of the letter to the AAIP within 2 weeks of receiving it.
- The AAIP will then send an email with a link to the AAIP portal to submit the application.
- Apply to the AEE stream in the AAIP portal by completing the online application and uploading all requested documents.
- Accept the Alberta provincial nomination (after the AAIP processes their application) within 30 days of receiving it on their Express Entry profile.
- Obtain an additional 600 CRS points in the Express Entry profile, and receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- Apply for permanent residence through your Express Entry profile.
You can check out our 10-step guide for Express Entry for more detailed information and advice.
Alberta Express Entry – Application Fees
Alberta Express Entry – Processing Times
As of August 12, 2024
Alberta Express Entry Stream
- Number of applications in the queue: 812
- The AAIP is assessing applications received before:
- Dedicated Healthcare Pathway: July 5, 2024
- Other Pathways: March 6, 2024
- Number of nominations issued in 2024 to date: 1,487
- Dedicated Healthcare Pathway: 322
- Accelerated Tech Pathway: 891
- Law Enforcement Pathway: 7
- Priority Sectors: 161
- Family connection and occupation in demand: 106
- Number of total nominations for 2024 (total allocation): 1,775
- Dedicated Healthcare Pathway: 320
- Accelerated Tech Pathway: 1,047
- Law Enforcement Pathway: 50
- Priority Sectors: 181
- Family connection and occupation in demand: 177
Alberta Express Entry – Latest News & Data
Alberta Express Entry – In-Demand Occupations?
Some streams target specific NOC codes, meaning that if you have experience in those in-demand jobs, you either (i) have more chances to be invited or (ii) that you can be eligible to the stream.
In the case of the Alberta Express Entry (AEE) stream, there is no official list of occupations targeted by the AAIP. However, you can check the following:
- Occupations with significant cumulative imbalance on Alberta’s Occupational Outlook
- Occupations in ‘High’ or ‘Moderately High’ demand in the Short-Term Employment Forecast
- Eligible occupations to the Accelerated Tech Pathway is also a good indication of in-demand occupations.
- The ineligible occupations under the list of Alberta Opportunity Stream Ineligible Occupations
- List of occupations with a high volume submission across all AAIP streams (Latest update: April 2, 2024):
- NOC 62020 – Food service supervisors
- NOC 63200 – Cooks
- NOC 62010 – Retail sales supervisors
- NOC 13110 – Administrative assistants
- NOC 65201 – Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations
- NOC 73300 – Transport truck drivers
- NOC 13100 – Administrative officers
- NOC 12200 – Accounting technicians and bookkeepers
- NOC42202 – Early childhood educators and assistant
- NOC 21231 – Software engineers and designers
You can find check about all NOC codes targeted by the other provinces in our in-demand NOC codes article.
