Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
Alberta nominates workers and entrepreneurs who can fill job shortages or plan to buy or start a business in the province. Run jointly by the governments of Alberta and Canada, a nomination through the Alberta Express Entry Stream adds 600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile — virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence from IRCC.
8
Streams (4 worker + 4 entrepreneur)
6,403
2026 Nomination Allocation
$135
Worker EOI Fee
$1,500
Worker Application Fee
What is the AAIP?
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is Alberta's economic immigration program (formerly the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program, renamed in February 2022). It nominates people for permanent residence who have skills to fill job shortages, or who plan to buy or start a business in Alberta, and who can provide for their families.
The program is run jointly by the governments of Alberta and Canada. It operates as a two-step process: first, the applicant receives a provincial nomination; then, they apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence, which makes the final decision. A spouse or common-law partner and dependent children can be included on the permanent residence application.
Four worker streams:
Alberta Opportunity Stream — temporary foreign workers already living and working full-time in Alberta with a full-time job offer from an Alberta employer in an eligible occupation.
Tourism and Hospitality Stream — candidates living and working in Alberta with a full-time job offer to continue with an approved Alberta tourism and hospitality sector employer.
Alberta Express Entry Stream — candidates with an active federal Express Entry profile aligned with provincial economic, sector, and occupational priorities — including the Dedicated Health Care, Accelerated Tech, and Law Enforcement pathways.
Rural Renewal Stream — workers with a job offer from an employer in a designated rural community, plus an Endorsement of Candidate letter from that community.
Four entrepreneur streams:
Rural Entrepreneur Stream — entrepreneurs starting or buying a business in a rural Alberta community (population under 100,000, outside the Calgary and Edmonton metropolitan areas).
Graduate Entrepreneur Stream — international graduates of approved publicly funded Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to establish or operate a business in Alberta.
Farm Stream — experienced farmers with the financial resources and management skills to buy or start a primary-production farm in Alberta.
Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream — foreign graduates with a degree from outside Canada launching a start-up or innovative business, working with an AAIP-approved designated agency.
Alberta Express Entry = +600 CRS points
A nomination through the Alberta Express Entry Stream adds 600 CRS points to your federal Express Entry profile. IRCC then issues an Invitation to Apply and processes the permanent residence application on a priority basis — typically within about 6 months.
2026 Program Priorities
In 2026, AAIP is prioritizing draws and nominations within its worker streams for occupations in key sectors. This is not an exhaustive list, and priorities are subject to change.
Health Care
Dedicated Health Care pathways (Express Entry and non-Express Entry) with a 500-nomination allocation in 2026 for eligible regulated health occupations.
Technology
Accelerated Tech Pathway (600 allocation), including tech occupations supporting Alberta’s data-centre needs.
Construction, Manufacturing, Aviation & Agriculture
Priority-sector Express Entry draws (600 allocation combined), including linked skilled trades.
Rural Communities
Designated communities under the Rural Renewal Stream (1,000 allocation) recruiting to fill local labour needs.
Additional federal spaces for physicians and Francophones.Up to 10,000 federal spaces are available across all PNPs in 2026. AAIP nominations for practice-ready physicians (NOC 31100/31101/31102 meeting Dedicated Health Care Pathway requirements) or Francophones (CLB/NCLC 5 French in all four competencies, any AAIP-eligible NOC) do not count against Alberta's 6,403 allocation.
The Worker Expression of Interest (EOI) System
Alberta's worker streams use a points-based Expression of Interest system — a key difference from many other provincial programs. Understanding how the WEOI is scored and how draws work is central to a successful application.
2026 draw-score context — illustrative only
AAIP does not disclose exact draw parameters, and EOI score is not the only selection factor. Recent 2026 minimum scores have ranged roughly from the high-40s to low-70s depending on the stream — for example, Alberta Opportunity Stream 50–65, Tourism & Hospitality 71–73, Accelerated Tech 55–63, Rural Renewal 50–55, and Dedicated Health Care 45–64. These are not guaranteed cut-offs.
As of July 15, 2026, there were 36,760 WEOIs in the pool (22,913 identifying the Alberta Opportunity Stream), which reflects how competitive the system is.
Alberta launched an AAIP Eligibility Explorer tool (June 17, 2026) to help candidates check which stream they may qualify for. Our RCIC uses it as a starting point, then confirms eligibility against the full criteria.
AAIP Streams
Alberta offers eight streams — four worker and four entrepreneur. Use the navigator below to jump to any stream and review its eligibility criteria.
Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS)
For temporary foreign workers already living and working full-time in Alberta who have a full-time job offer from an Alberta employer in an eligible occupation. Candidates apply on their own through the AAIP portal.
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Residency & status | Valid temporary resident status authorizing work in Canada, at submission and at assessment. Maintained/restoration status is not accepted. Must live and work in Alberta. |
| Work permit | Valid work permit based on a positive LMIA; an accepted LMIA exemption (trade agreements, intra-company transferees, IEC, Mobilité Francophone, R205(d) religious work, Vulnerable Worker OWP); a PGWP from an Alberta publicly funded institution; or an OWP under an eligible IRCC public policy (e.g. CUAET, Hong Kong recent graduates). |
| Occupation | Must work in an eligible Alberta occupation — most TEER 0–5 occupations qualify (see ineligible list below). PGWP holders: occupation must relate to the Alberta field of study. |
| Language | CLB/NCLC 5 in all four skills for TEER 0–3; CLB/NCLC 4 for TEER 4–5. NOC 33102 (nurse aides): CLB/NCLC 7. Accepted tests: CELPIP General, IELTS General Training, PTE Core, TEF Canada, TCF Canada; results under 2 years old. |
| Education | Minimum high school equivalent to Canadian standards, with an ECA from an IRCC-designated organization (exemptions for recognized Canadian credentials or a valid Alberta trade certificate). PGWP holders: an Alberta Advanced Education–approved credential from a publicly funded Alberta institution. |
| Work experience | 12 months full-time in the current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months, OR 24 months full-time in the current occupation in Canada and/or abroad within the last 30 months. PGWP holders: 6 months full-time in Alberta within the last 18 months. Full-time = min 30 hrs/week. |
| Licensing | Any required Alberta licensing, registration or certification for the occupation; valid AIT trade certificate for compulsory trades; childcare workers need Level 2 or Level 3 ECE certification. |
| Job offer | Full-time job offer / employment contract from an Alberta employer in the current occupation, meeting Alberta job offer and employer requirements, valid at submission and assessment. |
Ineligible based on job offer
Ineligible applicants
AOS Ineligible Occupations (NOC 2021)
The following occupations are not eligible under the Alberta Opportunity Stream. An asterisk (*) means only the listed occupations within that NOC are ineligible.
| NOC | TEER | Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| 00010 | 0 | Legislators |
| 40021 | 0 | School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education |
| 40030 | 0 | Managers in social, community and correctional services |
| 40041 | 0 | Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers |
| 60040* | 0 | Escort agency managers, massage parlour managers |
| 41100 | 1 | Judges |
| 41220 | 1 | Secondary school teachers |
| 41221 | 1 | Elementary school and kindergarten teachers |
| 51111 | 1 | Authors and writers (except technical) |
| 51122 | 1 | Musicians and singers |
| 42200* | 2 | Justices of the peace |
| 42202* | 2 | Early childhood educators without Alberta Child Care Staff Certification, or certified only as Level 1 ECE |
| 43100 | 3 | Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants |
| 43109 | 3 | Other instructors |
| 53121 | 3 | Actors, comedians and circus performers |
| 53122 | 3 | Painters, sculptors and other visual artists |
| 53124 | 3 | Artisans and craftspersons |
| 53200 | 3 | Athletes |
| 63101 | 3 | Real estate agents and salespersons |
| 33100* | 3 | Dental laboratory assistants/bench workers |
| 44100 | 4 | Home child care providers |
| 44101 | 4 | Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations |
| 64321 | 4 | Casino occupations |
| 55109 | 5 | Other performers |
| 65109 | 5 | Other sales related occupations |
| 65211 | 5 | Operators and attendants in amusement, recreation and sport |
| 65229 | 5 | Other support occupations in personal services |
| 65329 | 5 | Other service support occupations |
| 75200 | 5 | Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs |
| 85101 | 5 | Harvesting labourers |
| 85102 | 5 | Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers |
| 85104 | 5 | Trappers and hunters |
| 85110 | 5 | Mine labourers |
| 85121 | 5 | Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers |
Tourism and Hospitality Stream
For temporary foreign workers already working full-time in Alberta’s tourism and hospitality sector who have a full-time job offer from a qualifying, approved Alberta employer in an eligible occupation. A positive LMIA is required.
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Work permit | Valid work permit based on a positive LMIA for an eligible occupation, or IRCC temporary special measures for those directly affected by wildfires. Maintained status is not a substitute at submission. |
| Approved employer | Employment and job offer must be with a single approved tourism & hospitality employer whose primary activity is in an eligible WCB industry, who holds valid WCB coverage, and who is a member of an eligible sector association. |
| Occupation | Current employment and job offer must be for one of the eligible tourism & hospitality occupations (see list below). |
| Work experience | A minimum of 6 consecutive months (or 780 hours) of paid, full-time (min 30 hrs/week) work with the same approved employer, in an eligible occupation. |
| Language | Minimum CLB/NCLC 4 in each skill. Accepted tests: CELPIP General, IELTS General Training, PTE, TEF Canada, TCF Canada; results under 2 years old. |
| Education | Minimum high school equivalent to Canadian standards, with an ECA (exemptions for recognized Canadian credentials or a valid Alberta trade certificate). |
| Job offer | Full-time job offer / employment contract for an eligible occupation with the current approved employer, meeting all Alberta job offer and employer requirements. |
Eligible Tourism & Hospitality Occupations (NOC 2021)
| NOC | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 54100 | Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness (TEER 4) |
| 60030 | Restaurant and food services managers (TEER 0) |
| 60031 | Accommodation service managers (TEER 0) |
| 62020 | Food service supervisors (TEER 2) |
| 62200 | Chefs (TEER 2) |
| 63200 | Cooks (TEER 3) |
| 64300 | Maîtres d’hôtel and hosts/hostesses (TEER 4) |
| 64301 | Bartenders (TEER 4) |
| 64314 | Hotel front desk clerks (TEER 4) |
| 64320 | Tour and travel guides (TEER 4) |
| 64322 | Outdoor sport and recreational guides (TEER 4) |
| 65200 | Food and beverage servers (TEER 5) |
| 65201 | Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations (TEER 5) |
| 65210 | Support occupations in accommodation, travel and facilities set-up services (TEER 5) |
| 65310 | Light duty cleaners (TEER 5) |
| 65311 | Specialized cleaners (TEER 5) |
| 65312 | Janitors, caretakers and heavy-duty cleaners (TEER 5) |
| 65320 | Dry cleaning, laundry and related occupations (TEER 5) |
2026 context: Tourism & Hospitality draw scores have been the highest of any AAIP stream (roughly 71–73), and the 2026 allocation is small (150 nominations).
Alberta Express Entry Stream
For candidates with an active profile in IRCC’s federal Express Entry pool whose occupation aligns with a dedicated pathway or an Alberta economic, sector, or occupational priority. Alberta invites a limited number of candidates to apply; selection parameters vary by draw and are subject to change without notice.
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Express Entry profile | Must have an active profile in the federal Express Entry pool. |
| Federal program | Must meet the criteria of at least one federal Express Entry program: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades, or Federal Skilled Worker. |
| CRS score | Minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300. |
| Occupation | Primary occupation in the Express Entry profile must be part of a specific pathway, or identified as an occupation connected to a provincial economic, sector, or occupational priority. |
| Job offer | If invited based on an Alberta job offer, you and your employer must meet all Alberta job offer and employer requirements. |
| Intent | Must intend and be able to live and work permanently in Alberta and have stated an interest in immigrating permanently to Alberta. |
Dedicated pathways
Dedicated Health Care Pathway
Accelerated Tech Pathway
Law Enforcement Pathway
Priority Sectors
+600 CRS Points
A nomination through the Alberta Express Entry Stream adds 600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply from IRCC. IRCC then processes the permanent residence application on a priority basis.
Family-connection and occupation-in-demand invitations were discontinued March 17, 2025, but candidates can still claim Worker EOI points for a qualifying Alberta family connection (parent, sibling, or child who is a citizen or PR, over 18).
Rural Renewal Stream
For candidates who have a full-time job offer in a designated rural community and an Endorsement of Candidate letter from that community. Communities must apply to become designated before they can recruit and endorse candidates. Applicants may be temporary workers in Canada with a valid work permit, or individuals outside Canada.
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Community residency | Must intend to reside and work — or already live and work — in your designated Alberta community. |
| Community endorsement | A valid Endorsement of Candidate letter issued by the community’s Economic Development Organization, valid for one year from issuance. |
| Occupation | Job offer in an eligible occupation (not on the ineligible list below). TEER 0–5 for temporary workers residing in Alberta; TEER 0–3 only for workers elsewhere in Canada or outside Canada. |
| Work experience | Minimum 12 months full-time (30 hrs/week) in an eligible occupation within the last 18 months (combination of Alberta, Canada, or abroad), meeting the TEER-matching matrix. PGWP holders who completed a 2-year program at a DLI in their designated community are exempt. |
| Language | CLB/NCLC 5 in each skill for a TEER 0–3 job offer; CLB/NCLC 4 for TEER 4–5. Accepted tests: CELPIP General, IELTS General Training, PTE, TEF Canada, TCF Canada; results under 2 years old. |
| Education | Minimum high school equivalent to Canadian standards, with an ECA (exemptions for recognized Canadian credentials or a valid Alberta trade certificate). |
| Licensing | Required Alberta licensing/registration/certification; valid AIT trade certificate for compulsory trades; Level 2 or Level 3 ECE certification for childcare workers. |
| Job offer | Full-time job offer / employment contract from an Alberta employer in an established business in your designated community, meeting all Alberta job offer and employer requirements. |
| Settlement funds | If you are not in Canada, or are in Canada but not working, you must show LICO-based settlement funds sized to your family and the population of your designated community. |
Ineligible applicants
Rural Renewal Ineligible Occupations (NOC 2021)
An asterisk (*) means only the listed occupations within that NOC are ineligible.
| NOC | TEER | Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| 00010 | 0 | Legislators |
| 60040* | 0 | Escort agency managers, massage parlour managers |
| 41100 | 1 | Judges |
| 51111 | 1 | Authors and writers (except technical) |
| 51122 | 1 | Musicians and singers |
| 42200* | 2 | Justices of the peace |
| 53121 | 3 | Actors, comedians and circus performers |
| 53122 | 3 | Painters, sculptors and other visual artists |
| 53124 | 3 | Artisans and craftspersons |
| 53200 | 3 | Athletes |
| 33100* | 3 | Dental laboratory bench workers |
| 44100 | 4 | Home child care providers |
| 44101 | 4 | Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations |
| 64321 | 4 | Casino occupations |
| 55109 | 5 | Other performers |
| 65229 | 5 | Other support occupations in personal services |
| 85101 | 5 | Harvesting labourers |
Designated Communities (as of the latest AAIP list)
You must hold an Endorsement of Candidate letter from a designated community. The list is updated by AAIP over time.
January 1, 2026 changes: each designated community now receives a yearly endorsement allocation; Endorsement of Candidate letters are valid for one year; and a TEER-based endorsement model applies. Foreign nationals in Canada must hold a valid work permit at application and assessment.
Rural Entrepreneur Stream
For entrepreneurs who want to start a new business or buy an existing business in a rural Alberta community — defined as a community with a population under 100,000, outside the Calgary and Edmonton Census Metropolitan Areas. This is an EOI-based stream.
Before submitting an EOI, candidates must complete an exploratory visit and obtain a Community Support Letter and endorsed Business Proposal Summary from a participating rural community.
Key requirements
Process: Exploratory visit → Community Support Letter → submit Expression of Interest (scored on the 175-point Rural Entrepreneur points grid) → Request to Submit a Business Application → Business Application → nomination → establish and operate the business → IRCC permanent residence.
Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
For qualified international graduates of publicly funded Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to establish or operate a business in Alberta. This is an EOI-based stream.
Key requirements
Process: Submit Expression of Interest (scored on the 125-point Graduate Entrepreneur points grid) → Request to Submit a Business Application → Business Application → nomination → operate the business → IRCC permanent residence.
Farm Stream
For experienced farmers who have the financial resources and farm-management skills to establish a new farm or purchase an existing farm in Alberta. Candidates submit an application with a proposed business plan, which Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation reviews for feasibility.
Key requirements
Process: Submit application and proposed business plan → AAIP and Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation assessment → nomination → establish/operate the farm → IRCC permanent residence.
Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
For qualified foreign-educated graduates from outside Canada who want to launch a start-up or innovative business in Alberta. Candidates must work with an AAIP-approved designated agency, which reviews the business concept and issues a letter of recommendation. This is an EOI-based stream.
Key requirements
Process: Work with a designated agency → submit Expression of Interest (scored on the 200-point points grid) → Business Application → nomination → operate the start-up → IRCC permanent residence.
Candidates must work with an AAIP-approved designated agency — currently Elite Global Group Ltd., Empowered Startups, and Platform Calgary. Our RCIC will assess your profile and coordinate with the agency before you commit.
How the AAIP Works
The worker-stream flow has six key stages, from confirming eligibility through your IRCC permanent residence application. Entrepreneur streams follow a different multi-stage process (EOI → invitation → business application → Business Performance Agreement → establish/operate the business → nomination) — book a consultation for details.
Confirm your stream and eligibility
Identify which of the eight streams fits your profile using the criteria above, the AAIP Eligibility Explorer, and our RCIC assessment. Confirm your NOC 2021 code, TEER category, and whether your occupation is eligible.
Submit a Worker Expression of Interest
Worker-stream candidates submit a WEOI through the AAIP portal ($135 fee). It is scored on the Worker EOI points grid, is valid for one year, and you may only hold one WEOI at a time. Entrepreneur streams instead submit an Entrepreneur EOI or, for the Farm Stream, a mailed application.
Receive an invitation to apply
Draws are conducted as needed based on sector needs and provincial priorities. If invited, you have a 15-day invitation period to respond. Candidates may be invited to a stream other than the one they identified.
Submit your AAIP application
Apply through the AAIP portal and pay the applicable fee ($1,500 for worker streams; $3,500 for entrepreneur/farm streams). Submit a complete document checklist — incomplete files delay processing.
Receive your nomination
A nomination certificate is issued. Express Entry route: +600 CRS points → IRCC Invitation to Apply → priority PR processing (~6 months). Non-Express Entry route: a paper-based PNP permanent residence application to IRCC. Post-nomination services are available (nomination extensions, 204(c)/205(a) work-permit support letters — fees apply).
IRCC permanent residence application
Submit your permanent residence application to IRCC, including your spouse/partner and dependent children. Maintain your eligibility and employment conditions — IRCC makes the final decision.
2026 Nomination Allocations
As of July 15, 2026
| Stream / pathway | 2026 allocation | Issued | Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | 3,425 | 1,859 | 1,566 |
| Rural Renewal Stream | 1,000 | 597 | 403 |
| Tourism and Hospitality Stream | 150 | 124 | 26 |
| Dedicated Health Care Pathways | 500 | 187 | 313 |
| Express Entry — Accelerated Tech Pathway | 600 | 347 | 253 |
| Express Entry — Law Enforcement Pathway | 38 | <10 | n/a |
| Express Entry — Priority sector draws | 600 | 376 | 224 |
| Entrepreneur streams | 90 | 24 | 66 |
| Total AAIP | 6,403 | 3,520 | 2,883 |
Allocations are subject to change without notice, and AAIP may redistribute spaces between streams. As of mid-July 2026, AAIP was assessing Alberta Opportunity Stream applications received on or before April 16, 2026 — processing takes several months.
Government Fees
The AAIP charges provincial fees to process expressions of interest and applications. These are separate from IRCC's permanent residence application fees.
AAIP Provincial Fees
Fee schedule effective April 7, 2026
| Stage | Fee (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI) | $135 | Effective April 7, 2026; non-refundable |
| Worker stream application | $1,500 | AOS, Express Entry, Rural Renewal, and Tourism & Hospitality; non-refundable once submitted |
| Entrepreneur Expression of Interest | $200 | Graduate, Foreign Graduate, and Rural Entrepreneur streams |
| Entrepreneur / Farm stream application | $3,500 | Graduate, Foreign Graduate, Rural Entrepreneur, and Farm streams |
| Nomination extension (reissue after 6 months) | $150 | Post-decision service |
| 204(c) or 205(a) work-permit support letter | $150 | Each; post-decision service |
| Request for reconsideration | $250 | Refunded only if a declined decision is overturned on reconsideration |
| Business Performance Agreement changes | $150 | Entrepreneur streams |
IRCC Permanent Residence Fees (after AAIP nomination)
| Applicant | Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant | $1,525 |
| Spouse or common-law partner | $1,525 |
| Dependent child (per child) | $260 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (principal applicant) | $575 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (spouse/partner) | $575 |
Important:Government fees are payable directly to the AAIP and IRCC respectively, and are separate from Asteco's professional fees. Fees are subject to change by the relevant authority at any time. A complete itemized quote — including Asteco's professional fees, government fees, and applicable third-party costs — is provided before you commit to any service.
Employer fees are illegal. Employers and employment agencies cannot charge workers a fee for a job or employment offer in Alberta. If an employer is charging you a fee, contact Alberta Employment Standards or the Temporary Foreign Worker Advisory Office (310-0000).
Alberta Job Offer & Employer Requirements
Most worker-stream candidates need a qualifying Alberta job offer. The employer and the job offer must meet AAIP's requirements — if they are not met, the application is declined and the application fee is not refunded.
Our RCIC reviews employer eligibility before you rely on a job offer. If you are an Alberta employer looking to support a candidate, see our services for employers.
How Asteco Can Help
The AAIP is a points-based, EOI-driven program with eight streams, tight invitation windows, and two separate applications (AAIP and IRCC) to coordinate. Our RCIC-regulated team manages every step.
Disclaimer: AAIP stream criteria, priority sectors, fees, allocations, draw practices, and processing times are established by the Government of Alberta and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information on this page reflects AAIP guidelines as published in July 2026. This page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult our RCIC before making any immigration decisions.
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Information reflects AAIP guidelines as of July 2026. Program criteria, fees, and allocations are subject to change by the Government of Alberta and IRCC at any time. This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult our RCIC before making any immigration decisions.