Apply for the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
You may have an opportunity to fast track your Canadian permanent residence by applying for the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP). Learn more below, and fill out our free immigration assessment form and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your eligibility and options.
Apply for the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program 2024
Do You Want To Work and Live in Alberta?
If you are interested in living and working in Alberta, the Alberta PNP Program may be for you. Alberta is one of Canada’s fastest growing provinces with cities such Calgary and Edmonton growing at a fast pace. Job opportunities in Alberta are an attractive option for many foreign workers seeking stable, long term employment.
What Is the Alberta AINP Program?
This is an immigration program operated on behalf of the Government of Alberta. The Alberta PNP or AINP lets the province hire skilled workers who have the right work experience and training needed to fill jobs in Alberta.
Those who successfully apply for the program can get permanent residence, when they receive a Provincial Nomination (PN) from the province.
How to Apply for Alberta INP Streams for Fast Track Canada Immigration
Successful applicants will receive an Alberta Provincial Nomination Certificate, which will speed up the Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa application processing time.
Under the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), you may qualify under one of eight streams. Each stream has specific requirements and processes that you must meet in order to apply. Click on a stream below to see application costs, process overviews, minimum requirements and more:
Foreign nationals employed in Alberta and international graduates who have finished their studies at an approved Alberta post-secondary institution are eligible to seek a provincial nomination through the Alberta Opportunity Stream.
Application Fee: CAD $500
Process Overview: Individuals interested in the Alberta Opportunity Stream must complete their application online using the AAIP online portal. Subsequently, applicants will need to provide specific documents based on their unique circumstances and pay the online application fee.
Minimum Requirements:
- Must have a valid work permit
- Must be working in an eligible occupation in Alberta that matches your work experience
- A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 4 or 5 depending on occupation A minimum of a high school degree
- A minimum of 12 months of work experience in Alberta in the last 18 months, or a minimum of 24 months of work experience in Canada in the last 30 months
The Alberta Express Entry stream enables the province to nominate individuals who have profiles in the federal Express Entry system. Those who have strong connections to Alberta and possess the necessary skills to contribute to its economic growth may be invited by the province to apply.
Candidates in the Express Entry pool who receive a provincial nomination from Alberta are granted an additional 600 CRS points, essentially guaranteeing them an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.
Application Cost: CAD $500
Process Overview: The Alberta Express Entry Stream operates through invitation only. Candidates with Express Entry profiles may receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from the Alberta government directly within the federal system. Invited candidates then have a limited time to indicate their interest 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:
- Must be in the Express Entry pool
- Must have indicated an interest in settling in Alberta permanently
- Must be employed in an occupation that supports Alberta’s economic development and diversification
- Must have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300
Our Canadian immigration professionals can help potential immigrants optimize their Express Entry profile for Alberta immigration through the AINP. We can help with every step of the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program process, and once an Alberta nomination is received we can professionally prepare a Canada Permanent Residency application on your behalf.
The Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway is a rapid immigration program designed for technology professionals who have a profile in the federal Express Entry system and are eligible for the Alberta Express Entry Stream. Individuals who believe they meet the stream’s eligibility criteria are invited to complete an online form on the AAIP portal for assessment under this pathway. The AAIP confirms that the candidate meets the minimum eligibility requirements, and if so, the AINP invites the candidate to apply for provincial nomination.
Application Cost: CAD $500
Process Overview: Candidates can start the application process for the accelerated pathway if they are presently employed or have received a job offer from an Alberta technology industry employer in a qualifying tech occupation and meet the criteria of the Alberta Express Entry stream. To begin, they must submit an online form through the AAIP website. If they meet the stream’s criteria, candidates will be invited by the AAIP to apply for provincial nomination by submitting all necessary documents through the AAIP online portal.
Minimum Requirements:
- Must have a profile in the Express Entry pool
- Must have indicated a desire to immigrate to Alberta permanently
- Must have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300
- Must be employed or have received a job offer in an eligible tech occupation in Alberta
The Rural Renewal Stream is intended for individuals who have received a job offer from an Alberta employer to work in rural communities within the province.
Application Cost: CAD $500
Process Overview: This stream operates on a community-driven basis, requiring candidates to first secure the support of a participating community in Alberta. These designated communities actively seek to attract and retain foreign nationals by facilitating job offers from local employers and ensuring that candidates meet the stream’s criteria. Once a candidate receives community endorsement, they can submit their application to the AAIP.
Minimum Requirements:
- Must possess a valid full-time job offer or employment contract from an Alberta employer to work in an eligible occupation within a designated community
- Must have accrued at least 12 months of full-time work experience in an eligible occupation within the 18 months prior to the application. This experience can be a combination of work in Alberta, elsewhere in Canada, or abroad
- Must satisfy the minimum language proficiency requirements
- Must have a high school education equivalent to Canadian standards
- Must demonstrate adequate financial resources to support themselves and any family members relocating to the designated community
This Self Employed Farmer stream in Alberta was created to help foreign immigrants buy or start their own farms in Canada.
Application Cost: CAD $500
Process Overview: Prospective applicants must initially submit their business proposal to the Alberta government and await a determination. The AAIP assesses proposals in collaboration with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry to validate their viability and alignment with the agricultural sector’s requirements in Alberta. Upon receiving a favorable assessment, applicants must compile the necessary documentation and complete the requisite forms for both the Alberta government and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Minimum Requirements:
- Farm management skills;
- Sufficient financial resources (minimum investment of CAD $500,000)
- Evidence of sufficient financial resources to develop or sustain farming operations
- Investment plans are documented in a proposed business plan for a farm in Alberta
Alberta’s International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream is for international graduates of authorized Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to start or run a business in Alberta.
Application Cost: CAD $3,500
Process Overview: Interested candidates must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via the AAIP’s online portal. You will receive an EOI score within 30 days, and the top candidates will be invited to submit a Business Application.
A Business Application must be completed within 90 days of receiving an email request to submit one. You must also provide the appropriate documentation.
Minimum Requirements:
- Minimum of two years of full-time education in Alberta
- Possession of a valid Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) at the time of application
- Attainment of a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7
- Must establish a new business or manage an existing business with a minimum ownership stake of 34%.
The Rural Entrepreneur Stream is for candidates who wish to start a business in rural communities in Alberta.
Application Cost: CAD $3,500
Process Overview: This program operates on a community-centered basis, requiring entrepreneurs interested in starting a business in rural Alberta to first engage with a participating community and arrange for an exploratory visit. Following this visit, the entrepreneur must submit a business proposal outlining the business details and its potential community benefits. Upon receiving a supporting letter from the community, the entrepreneur can then submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the AAIP.
Minimum Requirements:
- Minimum 3 years of experience as an active business owner/manager or minimum of 4 years of experience as a senior manager in the last 10 years
- Minimum high school education equivalent to the Canadian standard with an Education Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 4 for each English language skill or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) of 4 for each French language skill
- Minimum net worth of $300,000
- Minimum investment of $200,000 from candidate’s own (and/or spouse/common-law partner) equity
- Community Support Letter from a participating rural Alberta community
The Rural Entrepreneur Stream is for candidates who wish to start a business in rural communities in Alberta.
Application Cost: CAD $3,500
Process Overview:
To participate in this program, you must collaborate with a designated agency. If you meet the program’s criteria, this agency will provide you with a letter of recommendation. You must include this letter of recommendation with your Expression of Interest (EOI) submission through the AAIP Portal.
Additionally, the agency will assess your proposed business plan and provide a written report. You are required to submit this report along with your application.
Minimum Requirements:
- Minimum 3 years of experience as an active business owner/manager or minimum of 4 years of experience as a senior manager in the last 10 years
- Minimum high school education equivalent to the Canadian standard with an Education Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 4 for each English language skill or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) of 4 for each French language skill
- Minimum net worth of $300,000
- Minimum investment of $200,000 from candidate’s own (and/or spouse/common-law partner) equity
- Community Support Letter from a participating rural Alberta community
Why Hire Us to Help with Your Alberta PNP Application?
While the procedures for applying for an Alberta PNP may seem uncomplicated, some applicants apply without seeking any help from an immigration lawyer, thinking that they can “do it themselves”.
For Alberta PNPs, there is a higher risk of refusal in cases where the application is not properly prepared. The standards are very high.
The documentation and processes involved in successfully obtaining a PNP are complex and usually require legal expertise.
We have helped hundreds of individuals and their families successfully immigrate to Canada through the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program. Our experienced immigration lawyers will be able to assess your case and recommend a course of action to best serve your needs.
The first step towards your Alberta Provincial Nominee Program application is getting an assessment of your case. Fill out our free immigration assessment form and we will get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your eligibility and options.
The first step towards moving to Canada is to get an assessment of your specific situation. Call us today at +1.647.492.0794 for an assessment to see if you are eligible to move to Canada, or fill out our online assessment form.