Alberta

Capital: Edmonton

Population: 4,460,000

Climate: Summer months usually range between 20°-25° C but can hit mid-high 30s. The coldest part of winter usually ranges between -5 to -15 ° C.

Must see: Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park

Known for: Oil and natural gas deposits, hiking and skiing destination

Learn more at www.alberta.ca

Home to some of Canada's top tourist destinations like Banff and Lake Louise, Alberta is arguably one of the most scenic provinces in Canada. The province boasts 5 UNESCO World Heritage Site, such as Dinosaur Provincial Park where you can explore Canadian badlands and discover fossils. Like many provinces, Alberta has its own unique culture, largely shaped by immigration (over 120 languages are spoken in Calgary!) but still maintaining their cowboy history with famous events like the Calgary stampede. Alberta has a large oil industry and abundant natural resources which largely supports the economy through crop, livestock and power production. Combined with strong manufacturing, transportation, telecommunications and service sector roles, the province offers a vibrant economy with median household incomes typically above the national average. With lower cost of living and an abundance of nature to explore, Alberta makes a great place to call home!

Previously called the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), the currently named Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) helps prospective candidates who want to settle permanently in the province of Alberta. Through working with small communities in Alberta, the AAIP is able to target the economic needs throughout the province, and through Entrepreneur and farming streams continue to build a thriving and diverse province. Many streams work with an Expression of Interest (EOI) online platform where candidates can enter themselves into a pool of candidates if they feel they meet the requirements of the program.

Alberta immigration starting guide

Alberta Opportunity Stream

This stream is for temporary foreign workers who are already living and working full-time in Alberta and still hold a valid work permit. Candidates must have an eligible full-time job offer with a positive LMIA, or hold an LMIA exempt work permit.

Additional requirements for applicants include:

hold a valid work permit at time application is submitted, and at time it is assessed by AAIP. Status maintained during processing (implied status) and restoration of status do not qualify.
be currently working in an eligible occupation in Alberta (not included on the list of "ineligible occupations" provided by AAIP. If you are working on a PGWP your occupation must be related to your field of study.
valid language test results showing a minimum of CLB 5 for NOC 0, A or B occupations, and minimum CLB 4 for NOC C or D occupations. NOC 3413 requires minimum CLB 7.
minimum education equivalent to high school in Alberta. If you are a PGWP holder you must have an eligible credential issued by an Alberta Advanced Education publicly funded post-secondary institution.
either a minimum 12 months full-time work experience in your current occupation in Alberta, within the last 18 months, or, minimum 24 months full-time work experience in your current occupation in Canada or abroad within the last 30 months. PGWP holders must have minimum 6 months full-time work in Alberta in your current occupation, within the past 18 months.

Alberta Express Entry Stream

This stream allows for the AAIP to nominate a limited number of qualified candidates in the federal express entry system. If you have strong ties to Alberta, can help with the provinces economic development and diversification priorities, or are an international graduate, you may be asked to submit an application. This stream allows expedited processing for some occupations on the Accelerated Tech Pathway.

You may be eligible to receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) letter if you meet the following:

have an active Express Entry profile in the federal express entry pool.
your primary occupation in your federal Express Entry profile is an occupation that supports Alberta's economic development and diversification.
you have stated an interest in immigrating permanently to Alberta.
you have a minimum comprehensive ranking score or 300.

Factors that may increase your chances of an NOI:

you have an Alberta job offer
you are a graduate of a Canadian post-secondary institution
you have a parent, child, brother or sister who is a permanent resident or citizen living in Alberta
French is your first language

Factors that may decrease your chances of an NOI:

your Express Entry profile expires in 5 months or less
your primary occupation in your federal Express Entry profile is on the Alberta Opportunity Stream Ineligible Occupations list, or has a high volume of submissions across all AAIP streams.

Accelerated Tech Pathway

If you meet the criteria for the Alberta Express Entry Stream, and have a valid job offer in the tech industry, you may be eligible for this pathway. This stream allows expedited processing for eligible occupations, included below. You may submit a request if your occupation is included on the NOC list and you feel you meet the criteria.

have an active Express Entry profile in the federal express entry pool with a minimum CRS score of 300.
you are working full-time in Alberta or have a job offer for full-time employment based in Alberta. Both the occupation and employer must be eligible.
the primary occupation in your Express Entry profile is the same occupation as your current Alberta employment or job offer.

You may be less likely to be invited if your Express Entry profile expires in 3 months or less, so it is recommended you keep it up to date.

List of eligible occupations:

0013 - Senior managers - financial, communications and other business services 0112 Human resources managers

0131 - Telecommunication carriers manager

0211 - Engineering managers

0212 - Architecture and science managers

0213 - Computer and information systems managers

0512 - Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts 0601 Corporate sales managers

1123 - Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations 1121 Human resources professionals

1223 - Human resources and recruitment officers

2131 - Civil engineers

2132 - Mechanical engineers

2133 - Electrical and electronics engineers

2147 - Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)

2161 - Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries

2171 - Information systems analysts and consultants

2172 - Database analysts and data administrators

2173 - Software engineers and designers

2174 - Computer programmers and interactive media developers

2175 - Web designers and developers

2221 - Biological technologists and technicians

2232 - Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians

2233 - Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians

2241 - Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians

2253 - Drafting technologists and technicians

2281 - Computer network technicians

2282 - User support technicians

2283 - Information systems testing technicians

3211 - Medical laboratory technologists

3212 - Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants

3219 - Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health)

4163 - Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants

5131 - Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations

5241 - Graphic designers and illustrators

7241 - Electricians (except industrial and power system)

7242 - Industrial electricians

7246 - Telecommunications installation and repair workers

Rural Renewal Stream

This stream is for temporary foreign workers who have a job offer to work in a rural Alberta community. The AAIP defines rural as outside the Calgary and Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) and under 100,000 in population. This stream is a two-step process:

A community designation process - community recruits newcomers to meet labour needs and provides an Endorsement of Candidate letter.
Candidate submits the AAIP application.

Additional requirements for applicants include:

a valid endorsement letter from a designated community.
a full-time valid job offer from an Alberta employer to work in an eligible occupation in your designated community. The offer must be for at least 1 year with a wage that meets or exceeds the lowest starting wage for your occupation.
must meet the licensing, registration and certification requirements that your occupation has.
minimum education equivalent to high school in Alberta.
minimum 12 months full-time work experience in your eligible occupation in Alberta or abroad, within the last 18 months. Only PGWP holders are eligible to count paid co-op work terms as experience, and PGWO holders who studied a 2 year post-secondary program in their designated community are not required to meet work experience criterion.
valid language tests showing minimum CLB 5 if your occupation is NOC 0, A or B, or minimum CLB 4 if your occupation is NOC C or D.
proof of settlement funds for yourself and your family, if you are not residing in Canada or if you are in Canada but not working.

Rural Entrepreneur Stream

This stream allows Alberta to nominate qualified and capable entrepreneurs who want to start a new or buy an existing business in a rural Alberta community. The AAIP defines rural as outside the Calgary and Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) and under 100,000 in population. Candidates interested in a specific community should connect with the community contact person to discuss their business proposal and schedule an exploratory visit. Communities reserve the right to meet with entrepreneurs they feel fit their communities needs. The first steps for this pathway are:

conduct an exploratory visit and prepare a valid Exploratory Visit Report
provide a copy of a complete Rural Entrepreneur Stream Business Proposal Summary to the community contact person
if the community deems it is a good fit after reviewing they may supply a Community Support Letter endorsing the Business Proposal Summary
candidate can now submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the AAIP

Additional requirements for applicants include:

minimum 3 years work experience as an active business owner/manager, or 4 years experience as a senior manager, within the past 10 years.
minimum net worth of $300,000 CAD. All assets must be the personal holdings of the candidate, their spouse or common-law partner.
minimum investment of $200,000 from candidate's own, and/or spouse/common-law partners equity. Higher levels of investment will be awarded more points.
minimum education equivalent to high school in Alberta.
minimum 51% business ownership and partners must be Canadian PR or citizen. Business must not be ineligible and must create at least 1 full-time job for Canadian PR or citizen (not a family member). More points are awarded for more job creations.
valid language tests showing minimum CLB 4.
candidates must have a community support letter from a participating rural Alberta community.

Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

This stream allows the AAIP to nominate qualified international graduates from eligible Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to establish or operate a business in Alberta. Candidates can use the self-assessment tool to determine if they qualify before submitting a Business Application and submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI).

Additional requirements for applicants include:

completed a minimum of 2 years full-time education resulting in a degree or diploma from an Alberta Advanced Education publicly funded post-secondary institution.
have a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) that is valid at the time of your EOI submission.
valid language test results showing minimum CLB 7.
minimum education equivalent to high school in Alberta.
must establish a new business or buy an existing business in Alberta with a minimum 34% ownership. Business must be eligible and business partners must be Canadian PR or citizen.

Additional factors may increase an applicants chances of receiving an EOI, and not all complete Business Applications will receive a nomination.

Farm Stream

This stream is for entrepreneurs who have the financial resources and farm management experience to establish a new or purchase an existing farm in Alberta. After submitting an application including a proposed business plan, the AAIP will consult with Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development to ensure the business plan is feasible and viable and meets the needs of Alberta's agriculture industry.

Additional requirements for applicants include:

proven farm management skills.
minimum investment of $500,000 CAD in a primary production farming business in Alberta. Candidates may be required to show the ability to invest more than the minimum.
a proposed business plan documenting your investment plans. This will be reviewed by Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development and priority will be given to the best opportunity for growth relevant to Alberta's agri-food targets

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

This stream is for qualified foreign educated graduates from outside Canada who want to launch start-up enterprises and innovative businesses in Alberta. Candidates who are interested in this stream must work with a designated agency who will issue a letter of recommendation if they find the candidate to fit the requirements. Once the letter is received, a candidate can upload it along with their Expression of Interest (EOI).

Additional requirements for applicants include:

minimum 6 months full-time work experience actively managing or owning the business, or with business incubators or accelerators.
completion of a degree from a post-secondary institution outside Canada within the past 10 years. Must be equivalent to a Canadian degree and have an ECA.
a business plan with projected financials.
prepared slides for a 10 minute presentation outlining the proposed business venture.
valid language tests showing minimum CLB 5.
must have minimum 34% ownership if the business is located in an urban centre, or 51% ownership if located outside Calgary and Edmonton.
minimum investment of $100,000 CAD for an urban centre location and $50,000 for a regional location. Higher points are rewarded for higher investment levels.
must have a letter of recommendation from an AAIp-approved designated agency.
proof of funds required to set up the business and support any dependants.

Additional factors may increase an applicants chances of receiving an EOI, and not all complete applications will receive a nomination.