Are you considering migrating to Canada, one of the most picturesque and prosperous countries in the world? Alberta, a province located in Western Canada, offers an enticing opportunity for immigrants through its Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). This program is designed to cater to labor market shortages in the province and invites skilled workers to become a part of Alberta’s vibrant community. In this article, we’ll explore the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), now known as AAIP, its different pathways, and the requirements for a successful migration to Alberta.
What is the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)?
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), now popularly known as the AAIP – Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, is aimed at individuals who have the abilities and skills to cater to the labor market scarcities in Alberta. This Provincial Nominee Program of Alberta accepts applications from skilled workers through the Alberta Opportunity Pathway and Express Entry system. AINP also manages two business immigration pathways – the Farmer Self-Employed and the Overseas Graduate Entrepreneur Pathway.
How Does the AINP Work?
The AINP is administered by the Government of Alberta in collaboration with the National Immigration Department IRCC – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Candidates who are interested in immigrating to Canada through AINP are required to follow a process of two stages:
- Apply for Provincial Nomination with the Government of Alberta
- Apply for Canada PR Visa with the Federal Government if successful in the nomination
A specific number of nominations are allocated by IRCC to AINP every year.
Different AINP Immigration Pathways
AINP accepts applications from candidates through the following four immigration pathways:
Alberta Opportunity Pathway
The Alberta Opportunity Pathway, introduced in June 2018, aims at simplifying the application process of AINP, reducing wait times, and making the system fairer for employers and candidates.
Minimum requirements for AINP Opportunity Pathway:
- Candidates must possess a valid Provisional Resident status in Canada authorizing them to work.
- The valid Work Visa must be based on one of the following:
- Affirmative LMIA (Labor Market Impact Assessment)
- Exemption for LMIA through inter-company transferees, international trade agreements, Mobilit Francophone, or International Experience
- Post-graduate Work Visa
- The candidates must also be working in an eligible occupation.
Note: Post-Graduate Work Visa holders have additional requirements related to their area of study in the Alberta province.
Occupation Requirements
To be eligible for the Alberta Opportunity Pathway, candidates must be employed in a qualified occupation in Alberta. Most occupations under NOC – National Occupational Classification Skill levels D, C, B, A, and 0 are eligible for AINP. Alberta does not prioritize candidates based on their occupation, unlike some other provinces in Canada. However, AINP has a list of disqualified occupations.
Language Requirements
Candidates need to provide language test results that prove minimum CLB – Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 in all language skills in either French or English, depending on the NOC code.
Education Requirements
Candidates must have completed at least High School Education in their nation of origin at the time of applying.
Work Experience Requirements
Candidates are required to have at least 12 months of full-time experience for work in their present occupation in Alberta within the past 18 months, or at least 24 months of full-time experience for work in their present occupation in Canada or overseas within the past 30 months.
In addition to these requirements, candidates must have the certification, registration, or licensing to work in their present occupation in Alberta and a full-time and valid job offer from an employer in Alberta.
Alberta Express Entry Pathway
The Alberta Express Entry Pathway allows the province to select eligible applicants for nomination from the Federal Express Entry pool. AINP directly selects eligible candidates from the pool in Express Entry.
Requirements for Alberta Express Entry stream:
- Candidates must have an operative profile in the Canada Express Entry pool.
- They must declare interest in permanently immigrating to Alberta.
- They must be employed in an occupation that advances diversification and economic development of Alberta.
- The minimum CRS score (Comprehensive Ranking System) must be 300 points.
Factors such as having a job offer from an Alberta employer, graduating from a Canadian post-secondary institution, or having relatives residing in Alberta can boost a candidate’s chances of obtaining a Notification of Interest (NOI).
Alberta Self-Employed Farmer Pathway
The Self-Employed Farmer Pathway is aimed at candidates with skills in farm management and adequate finances for investment in an agricultural business in the province.
Requirements for the Self-Employed Farmer Pathway:
- Experience in managing a current farming enterprise
- Work experience, training, and education essential for developing a viable agricultural business in Alberta
- A Business Plan for the agricultural enterprise that needs to be established in the province
- Proof that a Canadian Financial Institution is ready to fund the proposed agricultural enterprise
- Equity of at least $500,000 for investment in the agricultural enterprise
- A net worth of at least $500,000 or authorization to access these funds
Alberta Overseas Graduate Entrepreneur Pathway
The Overseas Graduate Entrepreneur Pathway of Alberta is aimed at overseas graduates from post-secondary institutions in Alberta who desire to operate or establish a business in the province.
Steps to apply for PR Visa through AINP’s Entrepreneur pathway:
- Furnishing an Expression of Interest (EOI): Candidates who fulfill the criteria for eligibility can submit EOIs, which will be assessed and offered scores within 1 month of submission. Those with the highest ranking will be asked to furnish the Business Application.
- Submission of Package for Business Application: Selected candidates from the EOI pool are required to furnish the Business Application within 3 months. Payment of the non-refundable $3,500 application fee must also be done.
- Assessment of Business Application: The AINP assesses the Business Application along with the supporting documents upon receiving them from the candidates. A signed Business Performance Agreement will be sent to the candidates whose Business Application is approved.
- Establishment of the Business in Alberta: Candidates can reside in Alberta and actively operate and own their business for a minimum of 1 year after receiving the Letter of Approval for Business Application.
- Concluding Report for Nomination from AINP: The last report for Nomination from AINP is submitted after fulfillment of the Business Performance conditions. AINP will forward a Certificate of Nomination to IRCC – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada if it approves the final report and sends a nomination letter to the candidate.
Latest Alberta PNP Draws
The profiles of the candidates in the Canada Express Entry pool are regularly reviewed by AINP. It then offers Notifications of Interest to the candidates inviting them to apply for nomination through AINP Draws.
In-Demand Occupations in Alberta
The following are the List of Eligible In-demand Occupations in Alberta:
- Managerial Occupations
- Applied and Natural Sciences and Associated Occupations
- Finance and Business administration Occupations
- Occupations in Religion, Government Service, Education, and Social Science
- Health Occupations
- Sales and Service Occupations
- Occupations in Sport Recreation, Culture, and Art
- Occupations exclusive to Manufacturing, Processing, and Utilities
- Equipment, Transport, Trades and Operators and Associated Occupations
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