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Alberta Express Entry Stream – Eligibility

Find out if you meet the requirements for being asked by the province of Alberta to apply to this immigration stream.

Overview

Eligibility requirements posted on this page, are subject to change without notice. Selection parameters for invitations to apply to this stream may vary for individual selection draws.

In 2024 and early 2025, the AAIP will consider an invitation to apply based on the following priorities:

  • family connection and primary occupation in demand
  • Dedicated Health Care Pathway
  • Accelerated Tech Pathway
  • Law Enforcement Pathway
  • priority sectors, such as agriculture, construction

Ensure you read the process and requirements for each pathway below.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify to submit an application and receive a nomination, you must meet the following 3 types of requirements:

  • Minimum assessment requirements

    The following minimum assessment requirements apply to all Alberta Express Entry Stream applicants at the time of application and assessment:

    Ineligible applicants

    You are not eligible to apply if:

    • you are a refugee claimant or subject to a federal appeal or removal process
      • AAIP cannot intervene in the federal refugee claim, appeal or removal process.
    • you have an active nomination under any AAIP stream
      • An active nomination is one that has not expired or is eligible for extension, or both, or a nomination that was used to apply for permanent residence but where a decision has not yet been made on the permanent residence application.
    • you are currently identified as ineligible to re-apply to the AAIP due to misrepresentation
  • Pathway requirements

    Family connection and primary occupation in demand

    The following pathways requirements apply to those invited to apply under the Family Connection pathway.

    At the time your application is submitted and assessed:

    • you must have an eligible Alberta relative defined as your parent, child or sibling
      • Important: Family connection and relative eligibility is evaluated on the basis of the connection to the principal applicant (in-laws of the principal applicant are not eligible). Only connections or relationships that match the AAIP definition with the principal applicant (parent, child or sibling) and are verifiable and apparent through essential supporting documents are considered eligible. In addition, the minimum age of the supporting Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Alberta is 18, and the AAIP reserves the right to request supporting documents that verify the residency and relationship.
    • your Alberta relative must be:
      • living in Alberta
      • a Canadian citizens or permanent resident
      • at least 18 years of age
        • Important: the AAIP reserves the right to request supporting documents that verify the residency and relationship.

    AAIP is basing ‘occupation in demand in Alberta’ using one or more of the following approaches to select individuals who have experience in:

    Dedicated Health Care Pathway

    The Dedicated Health Care Pathway page sets out eligibility requirements for this pathway.

    Accelerated Tech Pathway

    The following pathway requirements apply to those invited to apply under the Accelerated Tech Pathway. 

    At the time your application is submitted and assessed:

    Ineligible applicants

    The following individuals are not eligible to apply for or be nominated under the Accelerated Tech Pathway, even if they are working for an eligible Alberta employer in an eligible tech occupation or have a job offer to work 30 hours a week or more in a 12-month or greater period:

    • part-time, casual or seasonal employees, regardless of their working hours
    • independent contractors or temporary agency workers
    • employees who do not work in Alberta, such as those who work online from a location outside Alberta or who work at a premises outside of Alberta

    Law Enforcement Pathway

    The AAIP will review the information on international recruits, as identified by a member organization of the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police, to determine if requirements are met to receive an invitation to apply.

    The following pathway requirements apply to those invited to apply under the Law Enforcement Pathway.

    At the time your application is submitted and assessed:

    • your primary occupation in your Express Entry profile is the same occupation as your current Alberta employment or job offer
    • you have been identified by AACP to AAIP as an internationally recruited police officer and
      • have a valid, verifiable job offer from an Alberta employer in the Alberta police services (based on valid AACP membership) in one of the following eligible police services National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes and titles:
        • 40040 – Commissioned (management) police offers and related occupations in public protection services
        • 41310 – Police investigators and other investigative occupations
        • 42100 – Police officers (except commissioned)
    • Important: NOC codes cover many different occupational titles. AAIP will seek additional information from prospective applicants, and the AACP, regarding the occupation identified in the job offer to ensure the individual is eligible under this pathway.

    Other Alberta Express Entry Stream selections and other streams’ nominations will complement the selections targeting this specific sector.

    Priority sectors

    The following pathway requirements apply to those invited to apply under Priority Sector draws.

    At the time your application is submitted and assessed:

    • your primary occupation in your Express Entry profile must be an eligible agriculture or construction occupation
    • if you are invited based on having an Alberta job offer, your job offer occupation must be an eligible agriculture or construction occupation
  • Selection draw requirements

    The AAIP may apply other selection factors when completing selection draws for the Alberta Express Entry Stream.

    At the time of application and assessment you must demonstrate you meet all additional selection factors for the draw under which you were invited to apply.

    To confirm selection parameters, review information on selection draws completed by the AAIP on AAIP processing information.

    You may be less likely to be asked to submit an application if your Express Entry profile expires in 5 months or less. It is recommended you keep your Express Entry profile up to date so that you remain eligible for consideration for Alberta Express Entry Stream in the future.