Skip to content

Notifications

Government mail service may be affected by the Canada Post labour disruption. See how to send and receive government mail during this time. 

AI search tool

Try our new Search AI tool as an alternative to the search below to improve your experience on Alberta.ca using artificial intelligence. See the AISearch fact sheet for more information.

Popular topics:

Part of AAIP application streams

Dedicated Health Care Pathway

Qualified individuals with job offers in eligible health care professions can apply to be nominated for permanent residence in Alberta.

Overview

You can apply for nomination to get permanent residence in Alberta through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) Dedicated Health Care Pathway if you have an Alberta job offer in an eligible health care occupation. 

There are 2 options: Express Entry and Non-Express Entry. 

  • You must meet all requirements when your application is submitted and when it is assessed.

Express Entry

You must apply using this option if you have an Alberta job offer in an eligible health care occupation and meet the eligibility requirements.

If you are approved under Alberta Express Entry Stream – Dedicated Health Care Pathway, you will apply for permanent residence using the Government of Canada Express Entry process and are subject to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) processing times.

  • Eligible health care professions

    Eligible professions

    Eligible health care professions under both Dedicated Health care Pathways, and the applicable regulatory organization responsible for proof of ability to practice in Alberta, include:

    • Physicians – College of Physicians and Surgeon of Alberta (CPSA)
    • Registered Nurses (RNs) – College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)
    • Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) – College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA)
    • Nurse Practitioners (NPs) – College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)
    • Physician Assistants – College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA)
    • Occupational Therapist – Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (ACOT)
    • Physiotherapist – College of Physiotherapist of Alberta (CPA)
    • Clinical Social Worker – Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW)
    • Psychologist – College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP)

    National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes

    NOC codes cover many different occupational titles.

    If you apply for the Dedicated Heath Care Pathway, we will ask for information about the occupation identified in your job offer and the regulatory organization’s proof of ability to practice the eligible health care profession in Alberta.

  • Eligibility requirements

    To qualify for this pathway within Express Entry, you must: 

    • have a valid, verifiable job offer from an Alberta employer in the health sector (based on valid Workers’ Compensation Board coverage) in an eligible health care occupation
    • provide verifiable proof of meeting the minimal requirements prescribed by the applicable regulatory organization to be able to practice the eligible health care profession in Alberta
    • have an active Express Entry profile in the federal Express Entry pool
    • have your primary occupation in the federal Express Entry profile portal be in an eligible health care occupation
    • have a minimum federal Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System score of 300
    • meet the criteria of at least one of the federal immigration programs managed by Express Entry:
    • intend to and be able to live and work permanently in Alberta and have stated an interest in immigrating permanently to Alberta

  • How to apply

    Follow the instructions on how to apply to AAIP worker streams.

Non-Express Entry

You can only apply for this option if you have an Alberta job offer in an eligible health care occupation and do not qualify for the Alberta Express Entry Stream.

If you are able to create an Express Entry profile with a CRS score of 300 points or more, you must apply via the Alberta Express Entry Stream. Work directly with your employer to learn if you can qualify before applying through this pathway.

If you are approved under Non-Express Entry – Dedicated Healthcare Pathway, you will apply for permanent residence using the Government of Canada Provincial Nominee Program: Non-Express Entry Process and are subject to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) processing times.

  • Eligible health care professions

    Eligible professions

    Eligible health care professions under both Dedicated Health care Pathways, and the applicable regulatory organization responsible for proof of ability to practice in Alberta, include:

    • Physicians – College of Physicians and Surgeon of Alberta (CPSA)
    • Registered Nurses (RNs) – College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)
    • Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) – College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA)
    • Nurse Practitioners (NPs) – College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)
    • Physician Assistants – College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA)
    • Occupational Therapist – Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (ACOT)
    • Physiotherapist – College of Physiotherapist of Alberta (CPA)
    • Clinical Social Worker – Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW)
    • Psychologist – College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP)

    National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes

    NOC codes cover many different occupational titles.

    If you apply for the Dedicated Heath Care Pathway, we will ask for information about the occupation identified in your job offer and the regulatory organization’s proof of ability to practice the eligible health care profession in Alberta.

  • Eligibility requirements

    To qualify for this pathway, you must:

    • have a valid, verifiable job offer from an Alberta employer in the health sector in an eligible health care occupation (based on valid Workers’ Compensation Board coverage)
    • provide verifiable proof of meeting the minimal requirements prescribed by the applicable regulatory organization to be able to practice the eligible health care profession in Alberta
    • have a valid work permit or status maintained during processing (formerly implied status) if you are working in Alberta at the time you submit your application
    • intend to and be able to live and work permanently in Alberta and have stated an interest in immigrating permanently to Alberta
    • demonstrate that you have Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level of 5 for all skill levels or language skill levels sufficient to get licensure in the regulated health-care occupation in Alberta, as demonstrated by successful registration as a licensed professional in Alberta or by submitting an official language test result
      • Licensed Practical Nurses must provide information on how you met language requirements for licensure. If your language requirement was met through employer verification that you have been providing health services primarily in English, an AAIP-accepted official language test must be submitted to demonstrate a minimum of CLB 5 for all language skill levels.
      • Clinical Social Workers must provide a copy of the language exam completed for licensure or an AAIP-accepted official language test to demonstrate a minimum of CLB 5 for all language skill levels.
      • The following official language tests are accepted:
      • Check the federal guideline on CLB/NCLC equivalency for each test.
      • Official test results must be less than 2 years old from the date you took the test when you submit your application.
        • We do not accept confirmation of registration to take a language test.

  • How to apply

    Follow the instructions on how to apply to AAIP worker streams.

Ineligible applicants

For either option, you are NOT eligible to apply if:

  • 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 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 are currently identified as ineligible to re-apply to the AAIP due to misrepresentation

Contact

Connect with us if you have questions about the program:
Use the AAIP contact form