Alberta Advantage Immigration Program

Getting To Know PNP Streams Under The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is a popular program that features eight pathways for those wishing to immigrate to Canada, who wish to settle in Alberta. The province’s strong economy has made it a magnet for those who wish to become permanent residents. This makes Alberta one of the most popular destinations for newcomers and immigrants from all over the world.

What is a Provincial Nomination?

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a federal government initiative that allows provinces to attract immigrants who can support the local labor force. Once an applicant meets the specific selection criteria of a provincial immigration stream and is nominated by a province as well, then they can submit an application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The provinces of Canada operate Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), which allow them to nominate foreign nationals for immigration to Canada. The exception is Quebec, which operates its own immigration programs. Nunavut is not a province but is part of the Northwest Territories and runs its own immigration programs.

The PNP program encourages provinces to nominate candidates for permanent residence who are able to work in their local communities as part-time or full-time employees. The nominee must also be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient knowledge of English or French and will be able to integrate into society as an active member of the community within three years of arriving in Canada.

AAIP immigration streams

Alberta has eight pathways for immigrants, which fall into two categories: workers' streams and entrepreneurs' streams.

Streams for workers

Alberta's Express Entry stream

The Alberta Express Entry stream is designed to recruit talented and skilled candidates from the province of Alberta who have a strong work history and who may be eligible for nomination under the provincial nominee program.

Candidates who already have an Express Entry profile and are eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Federal Skilled Trades Program can use this pathway or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Candidates from the federal Express Entry pool may be selected to apply for nomination by their provincial nominee program. Applicants who have a profile in the Express Entry pool and have illustrated strong ties to Alberta are directly considered for nomination. The Alberta Express Entry stream is based on an invitation-only process, which means that candidates cannot apply directly to the program.

The Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway (AATP) is a provincial immigration program that attracts skilled workers with work experience in one of 38 tech industry occupations.

Alberta Opportunity stream

The Alberta Opportunity Stream is an immigration opportunity for graduates from designated learning institutions in Alberta. The program provides visas to skilled international workers with skills that are critical to Alberta's economy.

This stream is also applicable to international graduates who have completed their studies at a designated learning institution in Alberta.

Candidates for this stream must be eligible to work in Canada and must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) directly to the province. In order to be eligible, an applicant must be in the province working on a Temporary Foreign Worker Permit (TFWP) and must have a full-time job offer letter from an employer in Alberta.

Rural Renewal stream

The Rural Renewal stream is designed to attract immigrants and candidates who are interested in living and working in rural Alberta.

This immigration pathway is for applicants who have received job offers outside of Alberta’s urban areas. The candidate must have completed at least secondary school and must be living or working in designated rural communities.

Entrepreneur Streams

The Entrepreneur Stream is designed for those who want to start their own business or work with a business partner in Alberta.

Alberta offers four different paths for immigrants wishing to establish businesses or farms within the province.

Rural Entrepreneur stream

The Rural Entrepreneur stream is for candidates who want to live in a rural community and start their own business.

Candidates must have at least three years of experience in business and be willing to visit a designated rural community where they will present a business plan. If the applicant is able to gain community support, they may be able to submit an EOI to the AAIP.

The AAIP will then assess the candidate's skills and experience against those of other applicants. The successful applicant will be invited to interview with an advisory panel made up of experienced entrepreneurs and investors from around Australia. If successful at this stage, they will receive a loan from the AAIP of up to $50,000 towards setting up their business or investing in another venture.

Graduate Entrepreneur stream

International graduates may be eligible for this stream if they have a valid post-graduate work permit (PGWP) and at least six months of experience in business management or ownership.

The Graduate Entrepreneur stream is designed to support students who are interested in starting their own businesses by providing them with mentorship and guidance. The program teaches students how to start a business, identify potential customers, create a business plan, develop marketing strategies, develop a target market and identify viable financing options.

Graduates can apply for an Alberta Advanced Education graduate diploma (GDP) after completion of their first year in the program.

Farm Stream

The farm stream is designed to facilitate agriculture in Alberta. Applicants in this stream should establish a new farm or else buy an existing farm in the same province. They must also demonstrate farm management skills through experience or education, or have equivalent experience.

Farm stream candidates must have obtained a minimum of an associate's degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, or Landscape Management from an Alberta institution.

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

This stream is for those applicants who have pursued their post-secondary education outside of Canada and are willing to establish a business in Alberta. Applicants must have operated their own business for at least six months, and provide a detailed business plan and Educational Credential Assessment from an internationally recognized agency.

The Entrepreneur Stream requires that you have completed a minimum of one year of full-time study at an accredited university, college, or institute in the United States, Canada, or another country with a similar educational system. You will be required to provide proof of your academic status through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).

Conclusion

Alberta has been successful in attracting new immigrants from abroad and has a very strong retention rate as well. In the year 2021, Alberta nominated over 6,250 new immigrants and the province will still continue to update and invest in its immigration programs in order to welcome skilled immigrants. This will enable them to become economically established as well.

Alberta has also committed to increasing the number of permanent residents by 20,000 by 2022. The province’s economic growth has led to significant increases in migration levels over the past several years, with new arrivals accounting for 15 percent of Canada’s total population growth between 2016 and 2021.

With this new commitment, Alberta will continue to be a leader in welcoming newcomers who will help fuel our economy and make us a better place to live.