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Part of Immigration

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program

Eligible individuals can apply to be nominated to work and live in Alberta permanently.

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Alberta Advantage Immigration Program

Introduction

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is an economic immigration program that nominates people for permanent residence in Alberta. Nominees must have skills to fill job shortages or be planning to buy or start a business in Alberta. They must also be able to provide for their families. The program is run by the governments of Alberta and Canada.

If you are nominated through the program, you may apply for permanent residence status together with your spouse or common-law partner, and dependent children.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada manages applications for permanent residence. The federal government also makes final decisions on these applications.

AAIP updates

August 26, 2024: Temporary Measure for Select Applicants with Work Permits Expiring in 2024

August 7, 2024: New expression of interest system

July 26, 2024: Temporary measures to support applicants affected by wildfires

June 25, 2024: New Law Enforcement Pathway in the Alberta Express Entry Stream

Read all AAIP updates

Application streams

Visit the AAIP portal for up to date information on application acceptance for this stream.

Streams for workers

The AAIP has 4 streams for foreign workers who are living and working in Alberta, or plan to live and work here:

  • Tourism and Hospitality Stream

    • Tourism and Hospitality Stream

      Qualified candidates who live and work in Alberta and have a full-time job offer to continue working with an Alberta tourism and hospitality sector employer can apply for an AAIP nomination.

  • Alberta Opportunity Stream

    Qualified candidates who live and work in Alberta and have a job offer from an Alberta employer can apply for an AAIP nomination.
     

  • Alberta Express Entry Stream

    Qualified candidates may be invited to apply for nomination who have profiles in the federal Express Entry pool that are aligned with minimum requirements, factors that increase the chances of selection, and provincial economic, sector and occupational priorities. There are also dedicated pathways operated in this stream for health care professionals, technology workers and police occupations.
     

  • Rural Renewal Stream

    Communities must apply for and become designated before they can recruit and endorse qualified candidates. Temporary foreign workers who have a job offer from an Alberta employer in a designated community, and an endorsement letter from a designated community, can then apply for an AAIP nomination. Communities can also endorse refugees who qualify under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) with the support of a non-governmental referral partner. Referral partners help EMPP candidates with the AAIP application process.
     

Alberta job offer and employer requirements

Most AAIP worker stream candidates must meet Alberta job offer and employer requirements.

Streams for entrepreneurs 

The AAIP has 4 streams for entrepreneurs who plan to live in Alberta and buy or start a business in the province:

  • Rural Entrepreneur Stream

    Entrepreneurs who want to start a business or buy an existing business in a rural Alberta community can submit an Expression of Interest.
     

  • Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

    International graduates of approved Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to start a business or buy an existing business can submit an Expression of Interest.
     

  • Farm Stream

    Experienced farmers who plan to buy or start a farm in Alberta can apply for nomination.
     

  • Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

    Foreign graduates who have a degree from a post-secondary institution outside of Canada and want to launch a start-up enterprise and innovative business can work with a designated agency to submit an Expression of Interest.
     

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Processing times and inventory

How to estimate processing times for applications and determine which streams are accepting applications.

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Resources

Forms and other resources for the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program.

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Expired streams

Information for individuals who applied under Alberta Advantage Immigration Program streams, categories or initiatives that are now closed.

Contact

Connect with us if you have questions about the program using the Opportunity Alberta Feedback contact form.