PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Alberta province operates several immigration streams divided into two categories:

Workers

• Alberta Opportunity Stream
• Alberta Express Entry
• Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway

Entrepreneurs

• Farm Stream
• Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
• Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Alberta Opportunity Stream 

The Alberta Opportunity Stream was launched in June 2018. This stream targets foreign nationals who are already working in Alberta and who have an official offer of employment from their Alberta employer to continue working full-time in the province. Candidates for this stream must meet a range of eligibility requirements regarding work experience, job offer, language proficiency, and education.

Alberta Express Entry Stream 

The Alberta Express Entry stream was launched in June 2018. The stream allows the province to offer provincial nominations to select candidates with active profiles in the federal Express Entry system. Alberta will automatically consider profiles in the federal Express Entry pool. While the exact selection criteria is unknown, AAIP states that it will seek candidates who demonstrate strong ties to Alberta and who can support regional economic development and diversification.

Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination through this stream will a 600-point increase to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence in the subsequent Express Entry draw.

Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway 

The Accelerated Tech Pathway allows certain Express Entry candidates with an Albertan job offer at a company in a tech industry or in an eligible tech role to apply for nomination with expedited processing.

To be eligible for the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway, the candidate must be eligible under the Alberta Express Entry stream. Candidates must also be working in one of 38 tech occupations identified as in demand by the AAIP, or hold a job offer with an Alberta employer that is part of an eligible tech industry.

AAIP Farm Stream 

The Alberta Farm Stream targets foreign nationals with extensive experience owning and operating a farm who have the financial resources to launch a new farming operation in Alberta. Candidates for this stream must consult with the province and submit a highly detailed proposal outlining their plan to launch a new agricultural farm in Alberta.

Graduate Entrepreneur 

The Graduate Entrepreneur stream offers a pathway to permanent residence to international graduates from Alberta post-secondary institutions that wish to start and operate a business in the province. This stream uses a points-based Expression of Interest to rank system candidates. Those with the highest-ranking points will be invited to submit a detailed Business Application. Successful applicants will be issued a nomination by the province, which can be used to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream 

The Foreign Entrepreneur Stream offers a pathway to permanent residence to recent graduates who have completed a foreign post-secondary credential and who have an intention of starting and operating a business in the province of Alberta. Candidates who meet the minimum stream requirements can register a profile using AAIP’s online portal and submit a Business Application for the chance to start a business in Alberta, and, eventually apply for permanent residence.