Immigration to Alberta

Many people who see immigration as a way to advance themselves and their families tend to want to move to Canada. Among these, immigrating to Alberta is considered one of the best migration destinations. You can obtain Canadian permanent residency through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), which was previously known as the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program.

Given that if you are selected by the province, you can receive 600 points in the federal Express Entry system, you will have the opportunity for your permanent residency process to be faster. With this background, let’s take a look at this province, its advantages, requirements, and details of the Alberta immigration program.

Introducing Alberta

Alberta is a prosperous province rich in resources and natural beauty. It is located in western Canada and houses two major Canadian cities, Calgary and Edmonton. It is also recognized as one of the most beautiful areas in North America, with famous national parks like Banff and Jasper.

Advantages of immigrating to Alberta

Good job market

Higher-paying jobs

Reasonable taxes

Affordable cost of living

Immigration programs suitable for different groups

What are the sections of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program?

This province offers you eight options, which are categorized into two groups: one for the workforce and the other for entrepreneurs. In this article, we will help you find the right program for you.

Alberta's immigration programs for the workforce

Tourism and Hospitality Stream: For workers currently employed in Alberta who have a full-time job offer from an employer in the tourism and hospitality sector in the province.

Alberta Opportunity Stream: For skilled workers who are currently employed in Alberta and have a job offer.

Alberta Express Entry Stream: For applicants in the Express Entry (EE) system who have a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 300.

Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway: This program falls under the Express Entry and is for applicants who are currently working in Alberta’s tech industry or have a job offer in one of 38 job titles related to this category.

Rural Renewal Stream: If you have a job offer from an Alberta employer to work in the rural communities of this province, you can apply through this program.

Alberta Provincial Immigration Programs for Entrepreneurs

Investment programs in Alberta include:

Farm Stream Entrepreneur Program: If you want to start a business in Alberta’s agricultural sector, this program is for you.

Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: If you have graduated from an approved Alberta academic institution and want to start a business in Alberta, this program will assist you.

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: If you graduated outside Canada and want to start a business in this province, this program is designed for you.

Rural Entrepreneur Stream: If you’re looking to start a business in a rural community in Alberta, you can apply through this program.

Alberta's Top Immigration Programs at a Glance

Program	JOB OFFER REQUIRED	Aligned with Express Entry?	Currently Active?	Details
Hospitality and Tourism	Yes	No	Yes	You need to be in Alberta and have a job offer in the tourism and hospitality sector.
Opportunity Alberta	Yes	No	Yes	You must have work experience in the province.
Alberta Express Entry	No	Yes	Yes	You need to have work experience in the province or have a first-degree relative who is a citizen or resident of Alberta.
Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway	Yes	Yes	Yes	You need to have a permanent job in Alberta or a job offer from Alberta.
Rural Renewal	Yes	No	Yes	You must intend and be able to live and work in a rural community in Alberta.
Rural	No	No	Yes	–
Graduate Entrepreneurs	No	No	Yes	You need to have completed your studies in Alberta.
International Graduate Entrepreneurs	No	No	Yes	–
Rural Entrepreneurs	No	No	Yes	You need a letter of support from one of Alberta's rural associations.

Now, let’s take a closer look at each of these immigration programs to Alberta, including details like the requirements and costs of immigrating to Alberta.

Alberta Opportunity Program

If you’re working in Alberta or are one of the international graduates who have completed your studies at an approved post-secondary institution in Alberta, you are eligible for the provincial program under the Alberta Opportunity Program.

Application fee: CAD 500

How this program works:

You need to complete your application online through the AAIP online portal. After that, you will be asked to submit the required documents based on your individual circumstances and pay the online application fee.

Minimum requirements:

You must have a valid work permit.

You must be employed in Alberta in a job that matches your work experience.

You should provide a minimum language level of CLB 4 or 5 depending on the job type.

At least a high school diploma.

You must have at least 12 months of work experience in Alberta within the last 18 months or at least 24 months of work experience in Canada within the last 30 months.

For more information on how this program is scored, please visit the Alberta Opportunity Program page.

Alberta Express Entry Program

The Alberta Express Entry program, which aligns with the federal Express Entry, allows the province to select individuals who already have a profile in the federal Express Entry system.

You need to demonstrate your connection to Alberta and prove your skills to help grow the province’s economy. If this is the case, you will be able to use this program and will receive an invitation from the province to submit your application.

Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination from Alberta are awarded an additional 600 CRS points. This effectively guarantees an invitation to apply for permanent residency in your next Express Entry draw.

Application fee: CAD 500

How this program works?

The Alberta Express Entry program only works with an invitation. If you have an Express Entry profile, you can receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) directly from the Alberta government in the federal system. Once you are invited, you have a limited time to express your interest in the province. If you are chosen by the province, you will be asked to apply for a provincial nomination by submitting all required documents through the AAIP online portal.

The minimum requirements for this program are:

You must be in the Express Entry pool.

You must have expressed interest in permanent immigration to Alberta.

You must be working in a job that aligns with Alberta’s development.

You need to score at least 300 points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

The Canadian Tech Fast-Track Immigration Program

Alberta Tech Fast-Track program

The Alberta Tech Fast-Track program is a quick immigration route for tech professionals who have a profile in the federal Express Entry system and meet the eligibility criteria for Alberta Express Entry.

If you meet the necessary criteria for this stream, you will be invited to submit an online form through the AAIP portal. If you’re eligible, AAIP will ask you to apply for provincial nomination.

Application fee: 500 Canadian dollars

How this program works:

If you are currently working in Alberta’s tech industry or have a job offer from an employer in Alberta in this sector and meet the Alberta Express Entry criteria, you can apply through this program. To do this, just submit an online form via the AAIP website. If you meet the program criteria, you will receive an invitation from AAIP to submit your provincial immigration application, and you need to send all required documents through the AAIP online portal.

What requirements do you need for this program?

You must have a profile in the Express Entry pool.

You must have expressed interest in permanent immigration to Alberta.

You need a minimum of 300 points in the Comprehensive Ranking System.

You must be working in a qualified technology job in Alberta or have a job offer.

The Rural Renewal Program Alberta

The Alberta Rural Renewal Program is for those who have received a job offer from an Alberta employer to work in the rural communities of the province.

Application fee: CAD 500

How this program works:

This program is community-driven, meaning that candidates must first secure the support of one of Alberta’s communities. These communities work to attract and retain foreign nationals, where employers present their job offers, and the community reviews it to ensure the candidate meets the immigration program criteria. A letter of support is then provided to the foreign national. Once the foreign national receives the approval, they submit their application to the AAIP.

To qualify for this program, you need to meet the following minimum requirements:

You must have a valid job offer or employment contract from an Alberta employer.

You need at least 12 months of full-time work experience in the 18 months prior to your application. This work experience can be a mix of experience in Alberta, other places in Canada, or abroad.

You must meet the minimum language requirements.

You should have at least a high school education equivalent to Canadian educational standards.

You must demonstrate that you have enough financial resources to support yourself and all family members living in Alberta.

Self-Employed Farmer Stream

The Self-Employed Farmer Stream is for applicants interested in immigrating to Alberta to buy or start a business in agriculture.

Application fee: CAD 500

How this program works:

You must first submit your business plan to the Alberta government and wait for their decision and response. If you receive a positive response, you will need to gather the required documents and submit the necessary forms to the Alberta government and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

What conditions do you need to meet?

Farm management skills;

Sufficient financial resources (minimum investment of CAD 500,000);

Documented investment plans in the form of a business plan.

Alberta Graduates Entrepreneur Stream

This program is for international graduates of accredited graduate institutions in Alberta who are interested in starting or launching a business in Alberta.

Application fee: CAD 3,500

How the program works:

Interested applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the AAIP online portal. You will receive your EOI score in about 30 days, and those candidates with the highest scores will be invited to submit a business application. You have a maximum of 90 days to do this.

Minimum requirements for this program:

At least two years of full-time study in Alberta;

A valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) at the time of application;

At least a CLB 7 score;

Start a new business or own at least 34% of an existing business and manage it.

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Program

Alberta's foreign graduate startup visa

Alberta’s foreign graduate startup visa is for international graduates who wish to establish a startup or a new business in Alberta.

Application fee: CAD 3,500

How the program works:

If you meet the necessary requirements, one of the designated agencies will issue you a letter of recommendation. You then need to submit your letter of recommendation along with your Expression of Interest (EOI) through the AAIP portal. This agency will also provide a written report regarding their assessment of your proposed business plan. You must submit this report with your application.

What are the designated agencies?

Empowered Startups

Platform Calgary

You might be wondering about the minimum requirements we need to meet?

At least six months of full-time work experience in managing or owning a business;

You need to have a business plan with financial projections.

You should hold a foreign university degree and have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). This credential should have been obtained within the last ten years.

Have a 10-minute presentation using slides that explains your proposed business and outlines your investment details.

Have a minimum language level of CLB 5.

If a business is located in an urban area, you must have at least 34% ownership, or if it’s outside Calgary or Edmonton, you need at least 51% ownership. You must invest a minimum of $100,000 for urban areas or $50,000 for areas outside the city. You need a letter of recommendation from an AAIP-approved agency. You must have enough financial capacity to start the business and cover your own and your family’s expenses in Canada.

Rural Entrepreneurial Program

This stream is suitable for those looking to establish a business in rural communities in Alberta.

Application fee: CAD 3,500

How this program works:

This is a community-driven stream, meaning entrepreneurs interested in starting a business in rural Alberta must first contact an approved association and schedule a visit. After this visit, you’ll need to present your business proposal. This proposal should include details about the business and its benefits to the community. Afterwards, you’ll receive a support letter. You then need to submit your expression of interest.

What are the minimum requirements for this program?

A minimum of 3 years of experience as a business owner or manager or at least 4 years of senior management experience in the past 10 years.

A minimum high school diploma equivalent to Canadian standards with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).

Must have at least CLB 4 or NCLC 4 for French language proficiency.

You need to have a minimum net worth of $300,000.

Make a minimum investment of $200,000.

You must have a support letter from a rural Alberta association.

Read more about Alberta’s entrepreneurial programs on the Investing in Alberta page.

How do I apply through Alberta's provincial program?

Step 1: Initially, choose the most suitable program based on the criteria for each of Alberta’s immigration programs.

Step 2:

If applying through Alberta’s programs aligned with Express Entry (Alberta Express Entry and Fast Track Technology), you may receive a notification of interest (NOI) in your Express Entry profile from the province which you must respond to. If selected by the province, you should apply through the AAIP portal.

If you are applying through other programs that are not aligned with Express Entry, you must submit your EOI request directly on the province’s AAIP portal.

Why does Alberta need a provincial immigration program?

Like all provinces in Canada, Alberta is facing a labor shortage, and in order to keep its economy strong, Alberta is trying to attract skilled and professional workers from around the world.

Alberta has been successful in attracting immigrants from abroad and has managed to retain them in the province, boasting a very high retention rate. In 2021, Alberta nominated over 625 candidates. On the other hand, the province continues to update and invest in its immigration programs to welcome skilled immigrants and empower them to create economic stability.

Studying in Alberta

Alberta has one of the advanced educational systems in Canada and worldwide. Since the province has good universities and offers countless opportunities after graduation, studying in Alberta can be very appealing to international students and a turning point in their lives.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum CRS score for Express Entry in Alberta?

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for the Alberta Express Entry stream is 300.

Is it easy to immigrate to Alberta?

The Alberta provincial immigration program is one of the simplest provincial nomination programs in Canada for obtaining nomination for permanent residency in Canada. The stream aligned with the AAIP Express Entry invites applicants with a CRS score of less than 300.

Can I immigrate to Alberta without a job offer?

Yes. For some of Alberta’s immigration programs, you do not need a job offer. However, having a job offer may increase your chances in Alberta’s Express Entry stream.

How long does Alberta Express Entry take?

You will have to wait at least 3-4 months for your application to be reviewed, and depending on several factors such as the quality of the application (completeness, eligibility, information and documents), the volume of applications received, etc., this time may be longer.

What IELTS score is required for Alberta's provincial immigration program?

Overall, Provincial Immigration Programs (PNPs) are one of those immigration programs that provide a pathway to Canadian PR visa immigration with a low IELTS score. For the Alberta Immigration Program (AAIP): A minimum IELTS score of 4.5 is required.

How can I accept the AAIP nomination?

You have 30 days to accept your Alberta Advantage Immigrant Program nomination online in your federal Express Entry profile. You must accept your nomination on the federal portal to be eligible to apply for permanent residence under this stream.

Can I get permanent residency in Alberta with NOC level TEER 4?

yes You can obtain permanent residence or PR for a TEER 4 or TEER 5 NOC in Alberta. If you are a semi-skilled worker (TEER 4) or unskilled worker (TEER 5) living in Alberta, you can get PR.

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