Alberta Skilled Worker through Express Entry
Individuals can immigrate to Alberta using the Skilled Worker program through Express Entry, obtain permanent residency in Canada, and then become Canadian citizens after a few years. Alberta’s immigration programs are designed to attract skilled labor to the province.
Life in Alberta is appealing to many immigrants from all over the world. Studying in Alberta is also popular due to its high-quality public universities. The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program manages seven different work and entrepreneurship programs for immigration to Alberta.
Work immigration programs to Alberta
Gaining permanent residency through Alberta’s provincial program can be done by applying to the offered work or entrepreneurship programs in the province.
AAIP or the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program has three immigration subcategories for work immigration to Alberta, Canada, through which you, as a foreign skilled worker residing in Alberta or outside, can apply to work in Alberta’s skilled labor market.
There are four different subcategories aimed at attracting labor in the province of Alberta and obtaining permanent residency through Alberta’s work immigration.
| Subcategory | Main Requirement |
|---|---|
| Alberta Express Entry Stream | To apply under this program you must have the necessary points to enter the Express Entry pool and an active profile in Express Entry. Immigration to Alberta through the Skilled Worker program is possible through this avenue. |
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | To apply under this program you must have a valid work permit in Canada and a job offer. |
| Rural Renewal Stream | To apply under this program you must intend to reside and work in Alberta's rural and low-population areas and have a valid invitation from these regions. |
| Alberta Tourism and Hospitality Program | To apply under this program you must be residing in Alberta and have a job offer in this sector |
Alberta Skilled Worker through Express Entry
This program is also known as the Alberta Skilled Worker Program or Alberta’s Skilled Workforce program. Alberta’s Skilled Worker selection is done through Express Entry. The province of Alberta can invite a limited number of applicants each year, who have created a profile in the Express Entry system, to apply for permanent residency through the province.
As a foreign worker, you can register through Express Entry, and if you receive and accept an invitation from the province, your eligibility will be reassessed by the province. After that, you can register for this program. If you receive an invitation from the province, 600 points will be added to your CRS score.
Conditions for the Alberta Skilled Worker program through Express Entry
If you meet the following conditions, you might be able to receive an invitation from the province of Alberta:
You must have an active profile in Express Entry. (Preferably with more than 5 months of validity)
The job you entered in your Express Entry profile must be one of the in-demand occupations in Alberta.
You must have a minimum score of 300 in the Express Entry CRS system.
You must express your intention to immigrate to Alberta.
Factors that increase your chances of receiving an invitation
Having a Canadian post-secondary education
Having a job offer from the province of Alberta
Family Connection: Having close relatives (parents, siblings, children) residing in Alberta with permanent residency status or Canadian citizenship
Dedicated Healthcare Pathway: Employment in in-demand healthcare occupations (doctors, nurses, medical assistants, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and social workers) and having a job offer in this field from Canadian employers
Knowledge of French as a first language
Factors that decrease your chances of receiving an invitation
Your Express Entry profile expires within the next 5 months or less.
The selected job is on the list of occupations that do not qualify, or a large number of applications have been received in that field by the province.
Language requirement for the Alberta Skilled Worker program
| Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker category: | Minimum CLB 7 in English (equivalent to IELTS 6 with no score below 6). |
| Express Entry Canadian Experience category: | Minimum CLB 7 in English (equivalent to IELTS 6 with no score below 6) for NOC TEER 0 1 job categories. |
Alberta Skilled Worker Points System:
In the Alberta Skilled Worker Points system, individuals can earn a maximum of 100 points. They gain these points from two sections: human capital criteria and economic criteria. The following table shows the points for each factored item.
Human Capital Criteria: Maximum 69 points
Education
| Education Level: | Maximum Points: 12 |
|---|---|
| PhD: | 12 |
| Master's Degree: | 10 |
| Bachelor's Degree: | 7 |
| Trade Certificate or Diploma: | 7 |
| Certificate or Diploma: | 4 |
| High School Diploma or Less: | 0 |
| Location of Highest Level of Education in Canada: Maximum Points 10 | |
| Studied in Alberta: | 10 |
| Studied in Other Provinces or Territories (other than Alberta): | 6 |
Language
| CLB and NCLC Points: | English: | French: |
|---|---|---|
| Score 6 or higher: | 10 | 6 |
| Score 5: | 8 | 5 |
| Score 4: | 5 | 3 |
| Score 3 or lower: | 0 | 0 |
| No language test: | 0 | 0 |
| Bilingual Skill: *This applies to individuals whose CLB or NCLC score is 4 or higher in both languages. | Maximum Points: 3 |
Work Experience
| Work Experience: | Total Points: 21 |
|---|---|
| Total Work Experience: *Includes work experience in Canada and abroad: Maximum Points: | 11 |
| 12 months or more: | 11 |
| 6 to 11 months: | 7 |
| Less than 6 months: | 3 |
| Work Experience in Canada: *Work experience in Alberta and outside Alberta will be considered with higher points calculated. Maximum Points: | 10 |
| 6 months or more of work experience in Alberta: | 10 |
| 6 months or more of Canadian work experience in other provinces and territories (excluding Alberta): | 6 |
Age
| Age: | Total Points: 5 |
|---|---|
| Age: | Maximum Points: 5 |
| 18 to 20 years: | 3 |
| 21 to 34 years: | 5 |
| 34 to 49 years: | 4 |
| 50 years or older: | 3 |
Family Connections
Family Link in Canada Total Points: 8
For those whose family member is a citizen or permanent resident over 18 years of age in Alberta.
* Family members include parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, siblings, aunts, uncles, and your nephews and nieces.
Your spouse’s family points do not count for you. Maximum Points: 8
Economic Criteria: Maximum 31 Points
Job Offer
| Alberta Job Offer | Total Points: 16 |
|---|---|
| Permanent full-time job offer in Alberta | Maximum Points: 10 |
| Job offer for work in selected rural communities | Maximum Points: 6 |
| Approval letter from the designated rural community in the rural renewal program | 6 |
| Job offer in the tourism and hospitality sector from an approved entrepreneur | 6 |
| Job offer from a law enforcement entrepreneur who is a member of the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police | 6 |
| Job offer in Alberta | Maximum Points: 5 |
| Calgary metropolitan area | 0 |
| Edmonton metropolitan area | 0 |
| Selected rural renewal program communities | 5 |
| Other areas | 5 |
| Job offer for regulated occupations | Maximum Points: 10 |
Alberta Skilled Worker Program Steps through Express Entry
To apply through this program, the following steps must be taken:
1. Register in the Express Entry system and grant Alberta access to your profile information.
2. The province reviews the applicant’s information, and an invitation is issued.
3. Invited applicants register through the provincial program.
The age requirements for working immigration to Alberta through this program and the overall points table for Alberta’s skilled workforce are based on Express Entry scoring. Additionally, the necessary documents for the Alberta Skilled Worker program are also in accordance with the conditions and documents required after receiving the province’s invitation.
Cost of the Alberta Skilled Worker Program
A non-refundable initial fee of $500 is collected for application processing (this fee is non-refundable if an invitation is not received and is collected from all online applications).
If an invitation is received, government fees for permanent residency application will also be added to this amount.
Accelerated Tech Pathway
The Accelerated Tech Pathway is a part of Alberta’s Skilled Worker program through Express Entry, specifically for tech workers who reside in Alberta or have a job offer from Alberta.
Applicants for the Accelerated Tech Pathway must complete the online pre-registration form and send it to the province. Once the form is completed and submitted, and after it is reviewed by provincial officials, if you qualify, you will receive an invitation to apply for the program.
The requirements to receive an invitation through the Accelerated Tech Pathway are as follows:
If you meet the conditions below, you may be able to get an invitation from the province of Alberta:
Having a valid job offer in the specified occupations or being employed in Alberta at the time of application.
Reviewing the program criteria and completing and submitting the online pre-registration form.
Having an active profile in the Express Entry pool.
The job listed in your Express Entry profile must be one of the occupations in demand in the province.
Scoring at least 300 points in the CRS system.
Expressing your intent to immigrate to Alberta, Canada.
If there are three months or less remaining on the validity of your profile, you have a significantly lower chance of receiving an invitation.
In addition to the above factors, the latest scoring system of the province of Alberta also considers these points:
| Human Factor | Maximum Points | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Education Level | 22 | - The higher the education level the more points the applicant receives; those with a PhD; master's degree and bachelor's degree or technical diplomas receive 12; 10; and 7 points respectively. - Graduating in Alberta adds 10 extra points while studying in other Canadian provinces adds 6 extra points for the applicant. |
| Language Proficiency | 13 | Applicants must have a minimum score of CLB 4 in English or an equivalent NCLC score of 4 in French to enter this system. The higher the language score the more points the individual receives. For example with a CLB score of 6 the applicant can earn up to 10 points. Bilingual individuals may also receive an additional 3 points. |
| Work Experience | 21 | Work experience is highly important; providing 12 months or more of work experience can add 11 points to the applicant's profile. Those with Canadian work experience in Alberta can earn up to 10 additional points. |
| Age | 5 | The maximum score (5) is given to applicants aged 21 to 34; older applicants will receive lower scores. |
| Family Connections in Alberta | 8 | Having a close family member living in Alberta adds up to 8 points to the applicant's score. |
List of Eligible Occupations for Alberta's Accelerated Tech Pathway
Senior Managers – Financial, Communications, and Other Business Services 00012
Human Resources Managers 10011
Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations Managers 10022
Telecommunications Managers 10030
Human Resources Specialists 11200
Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations Specialists 11202
Human Resources and Recruitment Officers 12101
Engineering Managers 20010
Architecture and Science Managers 20011
Computer and Information Systems Managers 20012
Mathematicians | Statisticians | Actuaries 21210
Data Scientists 21211
Cybersecurity Specialists 21220
Business Systems Specialists 21221
Information Systems Specialist 21222
Web Designer 21233
Data Analyst 21223
Software Engineer and Designer 21231
Computer Programmer and Systems Developer 21230
Software Developer and Programmer 21232
Web Programmer and Developer 21234
Civil Engineer 21300
Mechanical Engineer 21301
Electrical and Electronics Engineer 21310
Computer Engineer | Hardware 21311
Biology Technician 22110
Design Technician 22212
Computer Network Technician 22220
User Support Technician 22221
Information Systems Testing Technician 22222
Mechanical Engineering Technician 22301
Industrial and Production Engineering Technician 22302
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technician 22310
Medical Laboratory Technologist 32120
Other Medical Technicians 32129
Medical Laboratory Technician and related technical jobs 33101
Business Development Officer and Marketing Analyst 41402
Director of Publishing, Film, Media, and Performing Arts 50011
Producer | Director | Dance Designer 51120
Graphic Designer and Illustrator 52120
Corporate Sales Manager 60010
Electrician (not including industrial and power systems) 72200
Industrial Electrician 72201
Technician for installing telecommunications and cable TV equipment 72205
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Frequently asked questions
Can applications be made from outside Canada for any of Alberta's immigration programs?
Except for the Alberta Opportunity Stream, where having a valid work permit is a requirement, you can apply from outside Canada if you meet the other program conditions.
Which occupations are eligible for Alberta's immigration programs?
If you are applying through the Alberta Opportunity Stream or the Rural Renewal Stream, you can apply for all occupations except the listed ones. However, if you are applying through the Express Entry system, your work experience in TEER 4 and 5 groups will not be accepted.
Can applications be made to Alberta's immigration programs without a job offer?
To enroll in the Alberta Opportunity Program and the Alberta Rural Renewal Program, you must have a valid job offer. However, you can apply through the Alberta Skilled Worker Program via Express Entry without a job offer.
Is an Express Entry profile required for other immigration programs in Alberta?
No. Having a profile is only mandatory for the Alberta Skilled Worker program through Express Entry.
What are the age requirements for working immigration to Alberta?
There are no specific age requirements for these programs, but it’s clear that if you apply through the Express Entry system, your age will impact your scoring.