Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

Alberta is a province with friendly people, a diverse landscape and exciting communities. Plenty of opportunities await newcomers.

If you are considering living and working permanently in Alberta, the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) can help you through the immigration process.

What is the AINP?

The AINP is an immigration program operated on behalf of the Government of Alberta by the Ministry of Employment and Immigration in conjunction with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to expedite the processing of an application for permanent residence.

The AINP is designed to support Alberta's economic growth by attracting labour-market-destined immigrants to the province.

Individuals nominated by the Province of Alberta, together with their spouse and dependent children, are eligible to apply for a permanent resident visa through CIC as a Provincial Nominee. CIC expedites permanent resident applications from Provincial Nominees and makes final decisions on the permanent resident applications.

The Province of Quebec does not participate in the Provincial Nomination Program (PNP). It has entered into a series of agreements with Government of Canada that permits Province of Quebec to establish its own selection criteria for all economic immigrants who indicate their intention to reside in that Province of Quebec.

The process for applying to the AINP is different, depending on the stream and category you are applying under. The table below will help you start to identify the stream or category that may work best for you. If you answer yes, follow the links to review all criteria required for the stream or category under which you are applying. You must meet all criteria for your stream or category before submitting an application to the AINP.

Alberta PNP Strategic Recruitment Stream

Applicants do not need a job offer to qualify under the following categories.

U.S. Visa Holder Category

This stream was designed for workers who are currently in the United States on temporary work visas (H1B, H1B1, H1C and E3). The applicant must have at least one year of work experience in the United States on one of these temporary work visas in an occupation that is listed as one of Alberta’s in-demand 0ccupations. The applicant must currently be working in a qualifying occupation. A job offer is not needed to qualify. Alberta will nominate successful applicants for Canadian Permanent Residency, thereby fast-tracking the immigration process.

Please note: The AINP intends to adjust the list of eligible occupations for the U.S. Visa Holder Category in the near future. If your occupation is currently on the list, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible to ensure that you will be able to qualify.

Engineering Occupations Category

Eligible applicants must:

Be currently residing in Alberta;

Have education and training as an engineer, designer, or drafter;

Have an occupation that is listed on Alberta's Strategic Recruitment Stream - Engineering Occupations List;

Be currently working of have worked within the last 12 months in Alberta for a recognized Alberta Engineering, Procurement, and Construction company or a company which is a member of the Consulting Engineers of Alberta;

Obtain a "Letter of No Objection" from the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA).

Compulsory Trades Category

Eligible applicants must:

Be currently residing in Alberta;

Have an occupation that is listed as a Compulsory Trade in Alberta;

Be currently working or have previously worked for an Alberta employer in their trade;

Have an invitation from Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT).

Alberta PNP Employer Driven Stream

To qualify under the Employer Driven Stream of the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program, the applicant must have a valid job offer from an employer in Alberta and must qualify under one of the following three subcategories.

Skilled Worker Category

The job offer must be in a skilled occupation;

The applicant must have the formal education and/or specialized training required for the position.

International Graduate Category

The international graduate must have completed a degree, diploma, or graduate level credential from an approved Alberta educational institution;

The job offer must be in a skilled occupation;

The applicant must have the formal education and/or specialized training required for the position.

Semi-Skilled Worker Category

The applicant must possess the qualifications necessary for the job offer in one of the following industries:

Food and Beverage;

Hospitality;

Manufacturing;

Trucking – Transportation;

Foodservices (pilot project).

You can begin your job search for employment in Alberta with our free Canada Job Search Tool.

Alberta PNP Self Employed Farmer Stream

To qualify under the Self Employed Farmer Stream, the applicant must have:

Prior managerial experience with an existing farm enterprise;

Education, training and work experience necessary to develop a sustainable farming business in Alberta;

A business plan for the farming enterprise to be developed in Alberta;

Evidence that a Canadian financial institution is willing to finance the proposed farming enterprise;

A minimum of $500,000 CAD of equity to invest in the farming enterprise;

A minimum net worth of $500,000 CAD or confirmation of access to these funds from other sources.

Alberta PNP Family Stream

To qualify under the Family Stream, applicants must have a close family member in Alberta (defined as a mother/father, son/daughter, sister/ brother, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew) who is willing to sign a Sponsorship Affidavit of Support.

The Canadian Sponsor must be at least 21 years of age and be able to demonstrate financial ability to support the applicant. He/she must be a Canadian citizen or Permanent

The Applicant must:

Be between 21 and 45;

Be able to demonstrate strong English language abilities;

Have completed post-secondary education or training;

Be able to demonstrate work experience; and

Have at least CAD $10,000 and CAD $2,000 for each accompanying dependent of settlement funds to demonstrate ability to become successfully established in Alberta.