What is the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)?

The AAIP is one of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

Successful applicants to the AAIP receive a provincial nomination certificate. With this nomination, the applicant, as well as his or her accompanying family members, if applicable, may apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Canadian permanent residence.

Alberta has been a hugely attractive destination for newcomers to Canada over recent years, with the government data from Canada’s most recent census in 2016 showing that Alberta rivals British Columbia for position as the second most popular immigration destination in Canada, after Ontario. Alberta’s share of recent immigrants — defined as people who first obtained permanent resident status in Canada in the five years prior to a census — increased from 6.9 per cent in 2001 to 17.1 per cent in 2016.

Immigrants to Alberta are attracted by the wealth of job opportunities across the province and high living standards. The provincial capital, Edmonton, as well as the slightly larger Calgary and a host of smaller communities across the province, have experienced economic growth over recent years.

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) Streams

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program offers eight streams. There are four streams for workers: the Opportunity Stream, the Express Entry Stream, the Accelerated Tech Pathway, and the Rural Renewal Stream. There are four streams for entrepreneurs: the Rural Entrepreneur Stream, the Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, and the Farm Stream.

AAIP streams for workers

The Opportunity stream provides a pathway to Canadian permanent residence for foreign workers working in Alberta, who will require a job offer from an employer in Alberta in order to be eligible.

The Express Entry stream provides a pathway for Express Entry candidates who Alberta invites to apply to the province. Candidates are invited through their Express Entry accounts with the exact selection criteria not available to the public.

The Accelerated Tech Pathway provides expedited processing to certain Express Entry candidates who are currently employed in Alberta in an eligible tech occupation or hold a job offer from an Alberta employer in an eligible tech occupation.

Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination through an Express Entry-aligned stream receive 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points and an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence at a subsequent draw from the pool.

The Rural Renewal Stream is for newcomers who have job offers and community support from a designated rural community in Alberta.

AAIP streams for entrepreneurs

The Rural Entrepreneur Stream is for experienced businesspeople who wish to start a new business or purchase an existing business in a rural community in Alberta.

The Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is for international students who have graduated from post-secondary institutions in Alberta and wish to immigrate to the province permanently by starting a business or purchasing an existing business.

The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is for recent graduates from post-secondary institutions outside Canada who are interested in starting new businesses and settling in Alberta.

The AAIP also offers the Farm Stream for experienced farmers with the demonstrated capacity to operate a farm in Alberta.

Four top tips when applying for the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program

Like any application, it pays to be as prepared as possible when it comes time to submit your AAIP application. With that in mind, here are four top tips that you should focus on:

1. Read all the relevant AAIP terms and conditions. The availability of AAIP streams and categories is dependent upon application volumes and labour market needs. The criteria for the AAIP are routinely evaluated and may be subject to change at any time and without notice so make sure that you are as prepared as possible.
2. Review the AAIP selection criteria: Each stream has its own distinct selection criteria. Be sure that you’re familiar with the requirements for your stream.
3. Review the language test requirements: It is necessary for you to demonstrate proficiency in either English or French by taking one of the approved language tests for Canadian immigration.
4. Follow the instructions laid out on the AAIP website: Applicants through the Opportunity and Express Entry streams must apply using the AAIP Online Portal. For the latest eligibility requirements and application procedures you can always refer to the AAIP government website.

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) overview

You can find out which AAIP streams are open right now, in our PNP Canada Live Tracker.

If you have already submitted an application to Alberta immigration authorities, or thinking of doing so soon, you can view updated AAIP processing times.

Finally, if you are looking to move to Alberta then you should take the time to visit our detailed and informative city guides about Alberta’s two biggest cities: Calgary and Edmonton.