The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
Overview
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), originally known as the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program, is an economic immigration program that selects individuals for permanent residence in Alberta. Nominees must have the necessary skills to fill job shortages or have plans to buy or start a business in Alberta. They must also be capable of supporting their families. The Alberta and Canadian governments manage the program.
If you are nominated under the program, you and your spouse or common-law partner, as well as any dependent children, may apply for permanent residence status.
Applications for permanent residence are handled by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. Final decisions on these applications are likewise made by the federal government.
Alberta Advantage Immigration Streams
Choose a stream to find out how to get nominated:
Streams for workers
The AAIP has 3 streams for foreign workers who are living and working in Alberta, or plan to live and work here:
Alberta Opportunity Stream
Applicants who have a valid job offer from Alberta Employer and they work and live in Alberta are eligible to apply under AAIP nomination program.
Alberta Express Entry Stream
Qualified candidates with an Express Entry profile may be invited by AAIP to apply for nomination for permanent residence. Tech workers can be nominated under Accelerated Tech Pathway though Expedited Processing.
Rural Renewal Stream
Before they can recruit and endorse suitable candidates, communities must apply for and be designated. Candidates can apply for an AAIP nomination if they have a job offer from an Alberta employer in a designated community and an endorsement letter from that community.
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
The Rural Entrepreneur Stream is a scheme for economic immigration. Entrepreneurs in rural Alberta who want to start a business or buy an existing firm can submit an Expression of Interest. Learn about the eligibility requirements, how to apply, and what to do if you are nominated.
Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
The Graduate Entrepreneur Stream permits Alberta to propose competent overseas graduates from Alberta post-secondary institutions who desire to set up or run a business in Alberta to apply for permanent residency. This program nominates exceptional and eligible foreign educated graduates from outside Canada for permanent residence following the establishment of start-up enterprises and creative businesses in Alberta.
Farm Stream
Experienced farmers who plan to buy or start a farm in Alberta can apply for permanent residence. This stream is designed for entrepreneurs with the financial resources and farm management experience to start a new farm or purchase an existing farm in Alberta.
Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
International graduates who have graduated from an approved Alberta post-secondary institution and are working on a post-graduation work permit can apply to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) under the Alberta Opportunity stream.