Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

Alberta is one of the three Prairie provinces of Canada, located in the western part of the country. The Canadian province of Alberta is famous for its geography including, extensive farming and cattle ranching areas, the Rocky Mountains, coniferous forests, rich mineral deposits, and more than 600 lakes. 

Edmonton, the capital city of the province, is the focal point for Canada’s crude oil trade. The economy of the province is based on the oil and gas industry, followed by agriculture, forestry, and tourism. 

The province welcomes newcomers to apply for permanent residency in Canada through the Alberta Immigration Nominee Program (AINP). The AINP PNP targets potential immigrants with relevant skills and experience in demand in the province. Successful applicants obtain an Alberta Provincial Nomination Certificate, and then they can apply for permanent resident status with the Canadian government.

Alberta’s Provincial Nominee Program has three major immigration streams to invite applications for permanent residence in the province. Make Home Canada has mentioned all these streams below with a brief so that you can determine if the AINP is the right pathway for you for Canadian immigration.

• Alberta Opportunity Stream
• Alberta Express Entry Stream
• Self-Employed Farmer Stream

NOTE: The Employer-Driven Stream and Strategic Recruitment Stream were terminated, with effect from June 14, 2018.

Alberta Opportunity Stream

Under this stream, applicants include foreign nationals who are already working in the province and international students who have completed their graduation at an eligible post-secondary institution in the province and are working in Alberta on a post-graduation work permit. 

NOTE: International graduates applying under this stream must have at least six months of work experience in Alberta in a job matching their field of study and have to meet minimum language requirements. 

Also, an international student who has completed his studies from any other Canadian province or territory will not be eligible for the AINP as a post-graduation work permit holder.  

To qualify for this stream, a candidate must:

1. Have a valid temporary resident status that allows him to stay and work in Canada;

• • Residency status to be considered ineligible under this stream include:

• • • Temporary residents living and working in other provinces of Canada;
    • Foreign nationals living and working in Canada without a valid temporary resident status; or
    • Refugee claimants or individuals indulged in any federal appeal or removal process.

2. Have a valid work permit for an eligible occupation, verified under;

• • A positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA);
  • An LMIA exemption for applicants with a Post-Graduation Work Permit; or
  • An LMIA exemption for workers covered under Intra-Company Transferees,  International trade agreements, or individuals participating in International Experience Canada, as verified by IRCC.

3. Have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 5 in English or French in all four abilities (for candidates with jobs classified under NOC codes 0, A, and B).

• • Candidates applying under NOC code 3413, that is, Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates, require a minimum of CLB 7 in English or French.

4. Have at least a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent;

• • Candidates with foreign educational credentials require an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report, issued by an IRCC-recognized organization.
  • Candidates do not require an ECA if they:

• • • Have a Canadian degree or diploma from a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution; or
    • Having relevant work experience in the trade in Alberta with a valid Alberta Qualification Certificate or trade certificate recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training does not require an ECA.

5. Meet the minimum work experience requirements in the current job (occupation while applying);

• • • Have at least 12 months of full-time work experience in his current job in Alberta within the last 18 months;
    • Have at least 24 months of full-time work experience in his current job in Canada and/or outside Canada within the last 30 months;
    • A post-graduation work permit holder must have at least 6 months of full-time work experience in his current job in Alberta within the last 18 months.
      • To be eligible under this stream, a post-graduation work permit holder must be working for a position in his field of study.

6. Have a valid full-time job offer from an employer in Alberta;

• • • A valid job offer must:
      • Be full-time paid work with a minimum of 30 hours/week for 12 months or more, varying for different eligible AINP occupations;
      • Be signed by the applicant as well as the Alberta employer;
      • Be providing an employment opportunity for 12 months or more;
      • Be providing work related to the applicant’s current job; and
      • Be providing work in an eligible occupation, for which the applicant holds a valid work permit.

7. Have required licensing, certification, and registration to perform job responsibilities; and

8. Be working in an eligible occupation in Alberta, relevant to previous work experience.

Alberta Express Entry Stream

This stream enables AINP to target a few candidates from the federal Express Entry pool. The purpose is to nominate potential immigrants with strong connections to Alberta and those who can contribute to the economy of the province. Successful applicants obtain a provincial nomination and receive a few extra points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Thus, nominated applicants have higher chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency under the Express Entry pool.

Only foreign nationals who have received a Notification of Interest (NOI) letter or invitation from the province can apply under the Alberta Express Entry Stream. 

The AINP nominates candidates through the self-declared details mentioned in the Express Entry profile. Also, nominated candidates must receive an email request to apply to the program.

To receive an NOI, a candidate must:

• Have an active profile in the federal Express Entry pool;
• Work in an eligible occupation that supports the economy of the province; 
• Have shown the intent to settle permanently in Alberta; and
• Have a minimum CRS score of 300 points.
• NOTE: Candidates who meet one or more below adaptability factors have more chances to receive an NOI:

• • Have a valid job offer or work experience in Alberta;
  • Have graduated from an eligible post-secondary institution in Alberta with a valid job offer; and
  • Have a parent, child, brother, or sister residing as a permanent resident or Canadian citizen in Alberta.

Self-Employed Farmer Stream

This stream allows AINP to target farm owners and operators who want to establish a new farming business or purchase an existing business in the province, and have the intent to settle permanently. The AINP nominates applicants under this stream with the help of Alberta’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

To qualify for this stream, a candidate must:

• Prove that he possesses the required farm management skills with:
  • Proof of education, training, and work experience;
  • Financial documentation of his existing farming business;
  • A proposed business plan demonstrating the applicant’s plan to operate the farming business in Alberta;
  • Prove that a Canadian financial institution is willing to invest in the business plan of the applicant.
• Prove that he has enough financial resources to invest in this business plan:
  • Must be able to make a minimum investment of CAD 500,000 of equity in a primary production farming business in Alberta;
  • Show a minimum net worth of CAD 500,000 or confirmation to access these funds.
  • NOTE: CAD 500,000 is the minimum investment requirement. Candidates may need additional funds to show their investment ability.
• Demonstrate that he will make an investment in a primary production farming business in Alberta
  • NOTE: Candidates who show maximum opportunities for growth towards Alberta’s agri-food targets have higher chances of getting nominated by the provincial government.
• Be present in an interview (to show the eligibility under this stream of AINP) with a representative of the provincial government.

Not sure where to start with the application process for the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program? Do not worry, MakeHomeCanada is here to address all your queries. Reach out to our expert immigration consultants to get insights into various pathways for Canadian immigration, including the Express Entry system and PNPs. We will help you determine the most appropriate immigration program as per your credentials. Let us join you on this immigration journey to Canada.