Located in Western Canada, Alberta is the most populous of the country’s three Prairie provinces and home to two major cities, Calgary and Edmonton. Known for its stunning landscapes, Alberta boasts world-famous national parks like Banff and Jasper, making it one of North America’s most picturesque regions.
The province runs the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)—formerly the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program. This program allows skilled workers with in-demand experience to receive an Alberta Provincial Nomination Certificate, offering a pathway to permanent residence.
Alberta Immigration Streams
If you’re considering immigrating to Alberta, you have eight different immigration pathways to explore. This guide will help you determine which stream best suits your situation.
Streams for Workers
- Alberta Opportunity Stream – For skilled workers currently employed in an eligible occupation in Alberta.
- Alberta General Express Entry Stream – For Express Entry (EE) candidates with a CRS score of at least 300, working in an eligible occupation.
- Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway – A specialized Express Entry stream for applicants working in Alberta’s tech industry or with a job offer in one of 38 tech occupations identified by the province.
- Rural Renewal Stream – For candidates with a job offer from an Alberta employer in a rural Alberta community.
Streams for Entrepreneurs
- Farm Stream – For individuals looking to establish or operate a farming business in Alberta.
- Graduate Entrepreneur Stream – For international graduates from Alberta post-secondary institutions who wish to start a business in the province.
- Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream – For foreign nationals who graduated outside Canada and want to launch a business in Alberta.
- Rural Entrepreneur Stream – For entrepreneurs looking to start or acquire a business in a rural Alberta community.
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) Summary
| Category | Job Required? | Express Entry Aligned? | Accepting Applications? | Connection to Alberta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | Yes | No | Yes | Work experience in Alberta |
| Alberta Express Entry Stream | No | Yes | Yes | Work experience OR family in Alberta (parent, child, sibling who is PR or citizen) |
| Accelerated Tech Pathway | Yes | Yes | Yes | Full-time work in Alberta or job offer |
| Rural Renewal Stream | Yes | No | Yes | Intend to live/work in a rural Alberta community |
| Farm Stream | No | No | Yes | N/A |
| Graduate Entrepreneur Stream | No | No | Yes | Completed education in Alberta |
| Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream | No | No | Yes | N/A |
| Rural Entrepreneur Stream | No | No | Yes | Community support letter from a rural Alberta community |
This table provides a quick overview to help you determine the most suitable Alberta immigration stream for your profile.
