Alberta Immigration Nomination Program (AINP)

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program popularly called as AINP is an economic immigration program that invites nominations of people for permanent residence in Alberta Province. As per the AINP, 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 by the proof of funds. The program is jointly operated by the governments of Alberta and Canada.

Thus, if they are nominated through the program, they may apply for permanent residence status together with their spouse or common-law partner, and dependent children. RCC manages applications for permanent residence. The federal government also makes final decisions on these applications.

AINP

Three AINP Stream:

Keeping the profile of the applicant in consideration, AINP has further classified in three major streams, each serving the specific need and requirement of a specific group.

A. Alberta Opportunity Stream

This stream invites nomination from those qualified persons who live and work in Alberta province and even have job offer from the Employers of the province.

B. Alberta Express Entry Stream

This stream is valid for those who have federal express entry profile. The qualified candidate may get the benefit of nomination through this stream.

C. Alberta Stream for Self Employers/ Entrepreneur

Valid for the farmers, entrepreneur and self employed persons who are will to buy or start a business in the province of Alberta.

Alberta Opportunity Stream:

The Alberta Opportunity Stream or (AOS) is for those temporary foreign workers who are already working full-time in Alberta province and have a full-time job offer from an Alberta employer in their eligible occupation. Candidates must have a positive LIMA i-e Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).Also, the Candidates must meet other minimum eligibility criteria for residency and work permit type, occupation, language, education, Alberta job offer and work experience.

Eligibility and Criteria:

Residency, work permit requirements:

Take care that at the time their application is submitted, and at the time the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) assesses their application, they must have a valid temporary resident status in Canada that authorizes they to work over there, which means, a temporary foreign worker permit which are based on one of the following:

  • A positive LIMA- Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
  • A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) held by a graduate of an Alberta
  • Advanced Education post secondary public funded institutes.

Occupation requirements:

At the time when the application is submitted, and at the time the AINP assesses the application, they must be working in an eligible occupation in Alberta. Consequently, Occupation requirements also apply to their work experience and job offer.

If they are a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holder, their occupation must also be related to their field of study in Alberta.

Please be informed that most occupations under National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill levels 0, A, B, C and D are eligible under the AINP.

Language requirements:

Official test results must be less than 2 years old at the time their application was submitted.

If they are working in a NOC 0, A or B occupation-Minimum of 5 for each English language skill or Minimum of 5 for each French language skill

If they are working in a NOC C or D occupation-Minimum of 4 for each English language skill or Minimum of 4 for each French language skill

Education requirements:

This is for all applicants except PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit) holders

As of January 1, 2021, at the time their application is submitted, they must have completed a minimum of high school education equivalent to Alberta standards.

They must provide a copy of an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) issued by an agency approved by IRCC for their highest level of education.

PGWP holders must submit the proof of education criteria which should be one of the following from the Alberta provincial public funded post secondary institute:

  • post-diploma certificate or post-baccalaureate certificate (minimum 1 year in length)
  • diploma program (minimum 2 years in length)
  • undergraduate bachelor’s degree
  • graduate level degree
  • graduate level certificate
  • graduate level diploma

Work experience requirements:

The current occupation of the candidate must also match the work experience at the time the application is submitted and at the time the AINP assesses candidate’s application.

Eligible work experience should be:
The candidates should note that at the time their application is submitted they must have either:

  • A minimum of 12 months full-time work experience in their current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months, or
  • A minimum of 24 months of full-time work experience in their current occupation in Canada or abroad within the last 30 months or both – this work experience can be a combination of experience gained in Alberta, in Canada (outside Alberta) or abroad.
Work experience requirements

Post-Graduation Work Permit holders require a minimum of 6 months full-time work experience in their current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months.

Eligible job offers:

Eligible job offers

For all applicants, including the PGWP holders, at the time nomination application is submitted, and at the time the AINP assesses the application, the applicants must have a bona fide full-time job offer or employment contract from an Alberta employer to work in their current occupation in the province of Alberta.

The Alberta employer must be incorporated or registered by or under an act and operating as a business that has an established production capability, plant or place of business in Alberta.

The job offer or employment contract must be signed by them and their Alberta employer and must offer:

  • Continuous, paid work
  • Employment for 12 months or more
  • Full-time work, defined as a minimum of 30 hours per week
  • Work in their current occupation
  • Wages and benefits that meet provincial minimum wage
  • Work for an eligible AINP occupation for which they have a work permit that meets AINP work permit requirements

They must meet the terms agreed to in their job offer or employment contract at the time of their application is submitted and at the time the AINP assesses their application.

  • How to Apply
  • What to do after you are nominated

Alberta Express Entry Stream

The Express Entry Stream Alberta allows it to nominate a limited number of qualified candidates from IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s) Express Entry system.

So, the candidates who have shown strong ties to Alberta or who can help support the government’s economic development and diversification priorities may be invited to submit an application.

Additionally, international graduates from Canadian post-secondary institutions may also be asked to apply under this stream.

Requirement/Eligibility

  • A candidate must have minimum federal express entry selection points that are 67 out of 100 points.
  • A Candidate must also have minimum valid express entry profile that means the express entry profile must not be older than 9 months.
  • While filling up the details about the province, make your to tick the check box containing the name of Alberta province. (State your Intent/Interest)
  • One year of work experience in the occupation approved by the Alberta’s Economic development and diversification program.
  • You should have a minimum CRS Score of 300
  • Proof of settlement funds
  • Proof of language proficiency test with minimum score of CLB 7
  • ECA reports of the transcripts from the IRCC authorized agency

Here, it should be noted that the chances can brighten up in case c candidate also has the advantage of the following:

How to Apply for the AINP (Alberta Express Entry Program)-Ten Steps Process:

  1. Get the ECA (Education Credential Assessment) report from the IRCC authorized agency.
  2. Appear in language proficiency test and get the TRF (Test Report Form)
  3. Create Express Entry profile in IRCC website and declare Alberta as your Intent/Interest
  4. AINP will send you the NOI (Notification of Intent) on your IRCC profile
  5. Respond to NOI within two week of receiving it ( On pnpoffice@gov.ab.ca)
  6. AINP officials will confirm your information. If approved they would ask to apply through MADI (My Alberta Digital Id)
  7. You will also get the list of the documents need to be uploaded
  8. Apply through MADI and upload all your documents.
  9. As you will receive File number , you would be asked to deposit the application fee which at present is CAD 500
  10. You would receive decision on whether the application is approved or rejected.

Once approved, you would get your certificate of nomination in soft copy form. This certificate would give you 600 CRS points and it will pave the way for the guaranteed selection in the next express entry draw.

  • How to Apply
  • What to do after you are nominated

Alberta Streams for entrepreneurs

The AINP has 3 different streams for entrepreneurs and farmers who plan to live in Alberta and buy or start a business or farm in the province of Alberta:

1-International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration 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 (EOI).
The International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream (IGEIS) permits Alberta province to nominate qualified international graduates from Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to establish or operate a business in Alberta to apply for permanent residence over there.

  • How to Apply
  • What to do after you are nominated

2- Self- Employed Farmer Stream:

Experienced farmers who plan to buy or start a farm in Alberta can apply for permanent residence.
This stream is for entrepreneurs who have the financial resources and farm management experience to establish a new or purchase an existing farm in Alberta.

Candidates should submit their application, along with a proposed business plan, to the AINP-Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) for assessment. The AINP would consult with Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development to see if the business plan is viable and feasible, and meets the requirements of Alberta’s agriculture industry.

  • How to Apply
  • What to do after you are nominated

3-Foreign Graduate Start up Visa Stream:

The Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream (FGSVS) is an economic immigration program for qualified foreign educated graduates from outside of Canada. The program invites those, who want to launch start-up enterprises and innovative businesses in the province of Alberta.

Foreign graduates who are interested in applying under the FGSVS must work with a designated agency. The designated agency will issue a letter of recommendation if it deems that the foreign graduate meets the AINP requirements. The foreign graduate must submit the letter of recommendation with their Expression of Interest (EOI) through the AINP Portal.

  • How to Apply
  • What to do after you are nominated

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