Introduction
There is a variety of immigration programs to help you move to Alberta. They each have different application and eligibility requirements. Once you become a permanent resident or Canadian citizen you can move freely within Canada.
Things to think about
Immigration options
There are federal (Government of Canada) immigration programs and provincial immigration programs. In Alberta, the provincial program is called the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). The Government of Alberta nominates individuals for permanent residence, but the federal government makes the final decision.
The AAIP is an economic immigration program that nominates people that can help meet the province’s needs for workers and entrepreneurs. Needs may change as Alberta’s economy changes.
Provincial program – Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
The AAIP has many streams for individuals who are working or intend to work in Alberta, as well as for entrepreneurs interested in establishing or operating a business in the province. Eligibility differs for each stream.
Candidates must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) if they are interested in receiving an invitation to apply to one of the AAIP streams. Candidates may be selected based on EOI score rankings and provincial labour market needs and priorities. The Government of Alberta nominates individuals for permanent residence, but the Government of Canada makes the final decision. All streams have a non-refundable application fee.
A nomination issued under one stream, cannot be used to apply for permanent resident under another stream, given that each stream has different eligibility criteria.
Streams for workers
Streams for those who are working or intend to work in Alberta are:
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This stream is for temporary foreign workers who are already working full-time in Alberta and have a full-time job offer or employment contract from an Alberta employer in an eligible occupation. Candidates must have a work permit based on a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or hold one of the accepted LMIA exemption work permits.
Other minimum eligibility criteria must be met for residency and work permit, occupation, language, education, and work experience.
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This stream allows the Government of Alberta to nominate a limited number of qualified candidates from IRCC’s Express Entry system. Candidates cannot apply directly to the Alberta Express Entry Stream. Only candidates who have an Express Entry profile with the Government of Canada and receive a Notification of Interest letter from AAIP in the Express Entry mailbox are able to apply.
Learn more about the Alberta Express Entry Stream
Designated Healthcare Pathway (Alberta Express Entry Stream)
This pathway provides expedited processing to foreign workers who are currently working for, or have a job offer with, an Alberta employer in the healthcare sector and who are licensed to practice in one of the eligible healthcare professions.
Learn more about the Alberta Express Entry Stream and all of its pathways and initiatives.
You cannot use a nomination issued under a different Alberta Advantage Immigration Program stream to apply under the Alberta Express Entry Stream or the federal Express Entry system.
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This stream is for rural Alberta communities (population less than 100,000). Communities must be designated to participate in this stream. The community is responsible for verifying labour market needs and attracting, recruiting, and settling immigrants into their community.
Individuals must be selected by a designated community and receive an endorsement letter before applying to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program. Once nominated, temporary foreign workers can qualify to work while they wait for a decision on their application for permanent residence. Individuals interested in the stream will need to contact the designated community directly.
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This stream is for temporary foreign workers who are already working full-time in Alberta in the tourism and hospitality sector. Candidates must have full-time job offer from a qualifying Alberta employer in an eligible occupation. Candidates must have a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Other minimum eligibility criteria must be met for occupation, language, education, and Alberta job offer and work experience.Learn more about the Tourism and Hospitality Stream.
Streams for entrepreneurs
Streams for those who plan to purchase or establish a business in Alberta:
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This stream is for international graduates of approved Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to start a business or buy an existing business.
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This stream is for talented foreign graduates from outside Canada who have the skills and financial means to launch an innovative start-up enterprise in Alberta. Foreign graduates interested in applying under this stream must work with a designated agency. The designated agency will issue a letter of recommendation if it deems that the foreign graduate meets the AAIP requirements.
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This stream is for entrepreneurs with the skills and financial means to start a new business or buy an existing business in a rural Alberta community.
Candidates should connect with the community contact person to discuss their business proposal and schedule an exploratory visit. If the community determines you and your business proposal is a benefit to the community, they will issue a Community Support Letter and endorse the Business Proposal Summary. Then you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the AAIP.
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This stream is for experienced farmers who plan to buy or start a farm in Alberta. Individuals that are interested in this stream will need to provide documentation that they have farm management skills and sufficient financial resources to invest a minimum of $500.000 Canadian of equity to establish a new or purchase an existing farm in Alberta.
Federal government
The Government of Canada oversees all immigration to the country. The federal department responsible for immigration is Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Use the Come to Canada Tool to determine if you are eligible for federal immigration programs.
Additional programs may be available to you through the federal website.
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Express Entry is an electronic management system for permanent residence applications run by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
To access Express Entry, candidates must first complete a profile, which demonstrates how they meet the criteria of one of the federal economic immigration programs (Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, or Federal Skilled Trades Program).
Once complete, the candidate will be scored using a ranking system. The highest ranked candidates may receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence from IRCC. Under Express Entry, candidates do not apply for permanent residence until they are invited to do so.
Use the Come to Canada Tool to determine if you are eligible.
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Immigrate by being nominated by a Canadian province or territory. In Alberta, the provincial nominee program is called the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program.
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Business immigration provides entrepreneurs and self-employed people from other countries with pathways to permanent residence.
Start-up visa
Immigrate by starting a business and creating jobs in Alberta. If you have an innovative business idea or venture, you can apply for a Start-Up Visa. Your venture must be supported by a designated organization.
Get the support of a designated organization
Self-employed person (paused until January 2027)
If you intend to be self-employed in Alberta, you can apply as a Self-Employed Person. You must have relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics and be willing and able to be self-employed and make a significant contribution to cultural or athletic activities.
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The Francophone Mobility work permit makes it easier for Canadian employers to hire you. Immigrate as a skilled worker. Get extra Express Entry points for French and English language skills.
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Family Sponsorship Program enables Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor family members to become permanent residents so they may live, work and study in Alberta.
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Refugees and asylum is for people in need of protection who want to immigrate as a refugee. Refugees must have left their home country or country where they usually live. They must be unable to return home because of a fear of persecution, or are seriously affected by civil war or armed conflict.
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Agri-food pilot (open until May 14, 2025)
The Agri-food Pilot helps address the labour needs of the Canadian agri-food sector. The pilot provides a pathway to permanent residence for experienced, non-seasonal workers in specific industries and occupations.
Caregivers
Caregivers who provide child care or home support for seniors or people with disabilities can come to Alberta to become a permanent resident or to work temporarily. People who work as a caregiver need six months of eligible work experience from to qualify for permanent residence.
Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot
The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) is to help skilled refugees and displaced persons immigrate to Canada through economic programs and gives Alberta employers access to a new pool of qualified candidates to fill job openings.
Humanitarian and compassionate considerations
If you are in Canada and would suffer from excessive hardship if you had to return to your home country to apply, you might qualify for humanitarian and compassionate considerations.
Additional programs may be available to you through the federal website.
Resources
Available in 15 languages, the guide will help you learn about moving to Alberta for a short time and about ways of making the province your home.