If you wish to immigrate to Alberta, you currently have eight options to choose from. This page will help you figure out which immigration stream is suitable for your situation.
Streams for workers
Streams for entrepreneurs
Summary of AAIP Options
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 Opportunity Stream
Foreign nationals working in Alberta and international graduates who completed their studies at an approved Alberta post-secondary institution are eligible to apply for a provincial nomination under the Alberta Opportunity Stream.
Application Fee: CAD $500
How it works:
Candidates interested in the Alberta Opportunity Stream must complete their application online through the AAIP online portal. After that, candidates will be asked to submit specific documents depending on their individual situations and pay the online application fee.
Minimum Requirements:
Alberta Express Entry Stream
The Express Entry stream allows Alberta to nominate individuals who already have a profile in the federal Express Entry system. Individuals who have demonstrated ties to Alberta and have the necessary skills to contribute to the province’s economic growth may be invited by the province to submit an application.
Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination from Alberta are awarded an additional 600 CRS points. This practically guarantees receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.
Application Fee: CAD $500
How it works:
The Alberta Express Entry Stream works by invitation only. Candidates who have Express Entry profiles may receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from the Alberta government directly in the federal system. Invited candidates then have a limited about of time to indicate to the province that they are interested in being considered for selection under this stream.
If selected, candidates will receive a request from the AAIP to apply for provincial nomination by submitting all required documents through the AAIP online portal.
Minimum Requirements:
Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway
The Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway is a fast-track immigration program for tech professionals who have a profile in the federal government’s Express Entry system and be eligible for the Alberta Express Entry Stream. Individuals who have determined they meet the eligibility criteria of the stream are invited to submit an online form on the AAIP portal to be assessed under this stream. The AAIP verifies that the candidate meets the minimum eligibility criteria and if so, the AINP invites the candidate to apply for a provincial nomination.
Application Fee: CAD $500
How it works:
Candidates can initiate the application process under the expedited pathway if they are currently working or have a job offer with an Alberta technology industry employer in an eligible tech occupation and meet the requirements under the Alberta Express Entry stream. To do so they must submit an online form via the AAIP website. If they meet the stream criteria, candidates will receive an invitation from the AAIP to apply for provincial nomination by submitting all required documents through the AAIP online portal.
Minimum Requirements:
Rural Renewal Stream
The Rural Renewal Stream is for candidates who have a job offer from an Alberta employer to work in rural communities in Alberta.
Application Fee: CAD $500
How it works:
This stream is community-driven, which means that candidates must first obtain the support of a participating community in Alberta. Designated communities work to attract and retain foreign nationals, employers make them a job offer, and the community is responsible for ensuring that the candidate meets the stream criteria. A letter of support is then provided to the foreign national. Once the foreign national receives the endorsement they submit their application to the AAIP.
Minimum Requirements:
Farm Stream
The Self-Employed Farmer Stream is for candidates interested in immigrating to Alberta to purchase or start a farming business.
Application Fee: CAD $500
How it works:
Interested candidates must first submit their business plan to the Alberta government, and wait to receive a decision. The AAIP bases its decision through consultation with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry to ensure that the business plan is feasible and that the project meets the needs of Alberta's agricultural industry. If a positive decision is received, you must then gather the required documents and fill in the required forms for both the Alberta government and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Minimum Requirements:
Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
Alberta’s International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream is for international graduates of approved Alberta post-secondary institutions who are interested in establishing or operating a business in Alberta.
Application Fee: CAD $3,500
How it works:
Interested candidates must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the AAIP online portal. You will receive an EOI score within 30 days and the highest-ranking candidates will be asked to submit a Business Application.
A Business Application must be completed within 90 days of receiving an email asking you to submit one. You must also submit all required documents
Minimum Requirements:
Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
Alberta’s Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa is for foreign-educated international graduates who wish to launch a start-up business in Alberta, and become permanent residents of Canada.
Application Fee: CAD $3,500
How it works:
If you are interested in this program, you must work with a designated agency. This agency will issue you a letter of recommendation if you meet the requirements.
You will then have to submit your letter of recommendation with their Expression of Interest (EOI) through the AAIP Portal.
The agency will also provide a written report on their assessment of your proposed business plan. You must submit this report with your application.
What are the designated agencies?
1. Empowered Startups
2. Platform Calgary
Minimum Requirements:
Rural Entrepreneur Stream
The Rural Entrepreneur Stream is for candidates who wish to start a business in rural communities in Alberta.
Application Fee: CAD $3,500
How it works:
This stream is community-driven, which means that entrepreneurs who wish to establish a business in rural Alberta must first make contact with a participating community and plan an exploratory visit. After the exploratory visit, the entrepreneur must provide a business proposal containing information about the business and the benefits to the community. A supporting letter is then provided to the entrepreneur. Once the foreign national has the support of the community, they submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the AAIP.
Minimum Requirements:
Dedicated Health Care Pathway
Overview
You can apply for nomination to get permanent residence in Alberta through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) Dedicated Health Care Pathway if you have an Alberta job offer in an eligible health care occupation.
There are 2 ways to apply for nomination – Express Entry and Non-Express Entry.
Express Entry
You must apply using this option if you have an Alberta job offer in an eligible health care occupation and meet the eligibility requirements.
If you are approved under Alberta Express Entry Stream – Dedicated Health Care Pathway, you will apply for permanent residence using the Government of Canada Express Entry process and are subject to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) processing times.
Eligible professions
Eligible health care professions under both Dedicated Health care Pathways, 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)
National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes
NOC codes cover many different occupational titles.
If you apply for the Dedicated Heath Care Pathway, we will ask for information about the