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Alberta Advantage Immigration Program application streams

Qualified candidates from outside Canada can choose from immigration streams for workers and for entrepreneurs.

Employer fees are illegal

Employers and employment agencies cannot charge employees fees for a job or employment offer. If an employer is charging you a fee of any kind, we can help. Call the Alberta government information line at 310-0000 and ask for Employment Standards or the Temporary Foreign Worker Advisory Office.

Introduction

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is an economic immigration program that nominates people for permanent residence in Alberta. Nominees must have skills to fill job shortages or be planning to buy or start a business in Alberta. They must also be able to provide for their families. The program is run by the governments of Alberta and Canada.

If you are nominated through the program, you may apply for permanent residence status together with your spouse or common-law partner, and dependent children.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada manages applications for permanent residence. The federal government also makes final decisions on these applications.

AAIP updates

Read all AAIP updates

Program streams

Choose a stream to find out how to get nominated.

Streams for workers

A new worker expression of interest system is in place as of September 30, 2024. Learn how to apply to AAIP worker streams

The AAIP has 4 streams for foreign workers who are living and working in Alberta, or plan to live and work here:

  • Tourism and Hospitality Stream – Qualified candidates who live and work in Alberta and have a full-time job offer to continue working with an Alberta tourism and hospitality sector employer.
  • Alberta Opportunity Stream – Qualified candidates who live and work in Alberta and have a job offer from an Alberta employer can apply for an AAIP nomination.
  • Alberta Express Entry Stream – Qualified candidates may be invited to apply for nomination who have profiles in the federal Express Entry pool that are aligned with minimum requirements, factors that increase the chances of selection, and provincial economic, sector and occupational priorities. There are also dedicated pathways operated in this stream for health care professionals, technology workers and police occupations.
    • Dedicated Health Care Pathway – Qualified individuals with job offers in eligible health care professions can apply to be nominated for permanent residence in Alberta.
  • Rural Renewal Stream – Rural communities can apply for designation with the intent to attract and recruit newcomers to address labour needs and settle newcomers.

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 – Entrepreneurs who want to start a business or buy an existing business in a rural Alberta community can submit an Expression of Interest.
  • Graduate Entrepreneur Stream – International graduates of approved Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to start a business or buy an existing business can submit an Expression of Interest.
  • Farm Stream – Experienced farmers who plan to buy or start a farm in Alberta can apply for nomination.
  • Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream – Foreign graduates who have a degree from a post-secondary institution outside of Canada and want to launch a start-up enterprise and innovative business can work with a designated agency to submit an Expression of Interest.