The province of Alberta is one of the largest in Canada, and Calgary and Edmonton are two of the largest cities in the country. Additionally, it is the most populous province of the Prairies. It also boasts some of the most beautiful national parks in the world.
Its best feature is that they offer the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program. Immigrants from all over the world are eligible to apply for an APNC (Alberta Provincial Nomination Certificate).
Here are some streams that the AINP has:
1. Alberta Express Entry Stream
Thousands of immigrants enter the country using the Express Entry program. One of the benefits of the Express Entry Stream is that Alberta can nominate individuals who already have a profile in their system.
An individual with demonstrated connections to Alberta and the skills to contribute to the economy and growth of the economy may be given a chance to apply, ensuring a smooth path to permanent residency.
Eligible Applicants
- Be a member of the federal Express Entry pool and have an active profile
- Meet the criteria for at least one of the federal immigration programs
- A desire to and ability to live and work in Alberta
- Maintain an occupation that supports Alberta's economic development and diversification
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 300 is required.
The following adaptability factors may increase your chances of being nominated:
- Valid Alberta job offer and/or work history
- If you're a graduate of an Alberta post-secondary institution and have a valid Alberta job offer,
- A parent, child, brother, or sister who is a permanent resident within the province, or a Canadian citizen resident within the province.
2. Alberta Express Entry Stream – Accelerated Tech Pathway
Through the Accelerated Tech Pathway in the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program, foreign workers who work for, or have a job offer from, an employer in the tech industry in Alberta in an eligible tech occupation can receive expedited processing.
3. Alberta Opportunity Stream ( AOS)
International graduates who completed their studies at a post-secondary institution in Alberta or immigrants working in Alberta can apply to this stream. They can receive a provincial nomination under the Alberta Opportunity Stream.
Eligible Applicants
- An evaluation of the labour market impact (LMIA) that is positive
- Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may grant an exemption from the LMIA for workers based on one of the following exemptions:
- Trade agreements with other countries
- Employees transferred within a company
- IEC (International Experience Canada)
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) of a publicly funded post-secondary institution in Alberta Advanced Education
- Additionally, PGWP holders must meet certain occupation, education, and experience requirements.
Streams for Entrepreneurs
For entrepreneurs planning to live or start their business in Alberta, AINP offers three streams
1. Farmer Stream
Also, if you are a farmer, you are welcome!
In the Self-Employed Farmer Stream, candidates must be planning on purchasing or starting a farm business in the province as their main objective.
Applicants eligible to apply
- Managing a farm enterprise previously;
- To develop a sustainable farming business in Alberta, you will need education, training, and work experience;
- You will need a business plan if your goal is to run a farm in Alberta;
- The proposal includes proof that a financial institution in Canada is willing to finance it;
- A minimum equity investment of CAD 500,000;
- CAD 500,000 is a minimum net worth requirement or access to these funds is confirmed from other sources.
2. Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream
This one is a great one for international students.
In the Alberta Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream, international graduates of post-secondary institutions in Alberta that wish to operate or buy and start a business in the province may apply.
Requirements -
- The student must have completed at least two years of full-time education that resulted in a degree or diploma from an Alberta Advanced Education publicly funded institution. Qualified for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
- When you submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), you should hold a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) valid for at least two years.
- For the four language skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking, you need a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark level of 7 for English or a minimum Level of Competence Linguistic Canadian (NCLC) level of 7 for French. If your EOI is submitted, your test results must not be older than 2 years.
- The new or existing business in Alberta must have at least 34% ownership. There must not be an ineligible business type for the proposed business.
3. Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream
Canada loves students!
FGVSS (Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream) is an economic immigration program that provides economic immigration to qualified foreign-educated graduate students from outside of Canada who wish to launch start-up enterprises and innovative businesses in Alberta.
AINP and government-approved designated agencies are collaborating on the FGSVS.
A foreign graduate seeking admission under the FGSVS must work with a designated agency. As long as the foreign graduate meets the AINP requirements, the designated agency will issue a letter of recommendation.
4. Rural Renewal Stream
In the Rural Renewal Stream, a community-based approach is used to attract and retain newcomers to rural areas through activities that are specifically designed to support local economic development needs and contribute to the development of rural communities. In the Rural Renewal Stream, rural communities are empowered to recruit and retain foreign nationals to live, work, and settle in their areas.
The Rural Renewal Stream has a 2-step process:
- A community designation process – community recruits newcomers to meet labour needs and provides an Endorsement of Candidate letter.
- Candidate submits the AAIP application.
Requirements
Community residency requirement
At the time your application is submitted and at the time the AAIP assesses your application, you must intend to and be able to reside and work in your designated community in Alberta.
Ineligible applicants
Refugee claimants or individuals involved in a federal appeal or removal process cannot apply for or be nominated under the Rural Renewal Stream. The AAIP does not intervene in the federal refugee claim, appeal or removal process.
Community endorsement requirement
At the time your application is submitted and at the time the AAIP assesses your application, you must have a valid Endorsement of Candidate Letter issued by the Economic Development Organization (EDO) of your designated rural community in Alberta. The recommendation must be based on criteria established by the EDO. In addition, you must meet the AAIP Rural Renewal Stream eligibility criteria.
Other Requirements
- When you submit your application and when the AAIP assesses your application, you must have a genuine full-time job offer or employment contract from an Alberta employer that covers an eligible occupation in your designated community.
- At the time your application is submitted, you must demonstrate that you meet the following language test score in English or French.
- At the time your application is submitted, you must demonstrate that you meet the following language test score in English or French.
- NOC C or D occupation -Minimum of 4 for each English language skill
- At the time your application is submitted, you must have completed a minimum of high school education equivalent to the Canadian education standard or a foreign degree, diploma or certificate. You must provide a copy of an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) issued by an organization designated by IRCC for your highest level of education.
You do not need to provide an ECA if:
- you have a Canadian degree, diploma or certificate from a recognized Canadian post-secondary, technical college or secondary institution, or
- You have a valid Alberta Qualification Certificate or a trade certificate recognized by AIT.
5. Rural Entrepreneur Stream.
The Rural Entrepreneur Stream allows Alberta to nominate qualified and capable entrepreneurs who want to start a new or buy an existing business in a rural Alberta community.
The business proposal of candidates interested in a specific rural Alberta community should be discussed with the community contact person who can schedule an exploratory visit. Exploratory visits will be scheduled by each community individually. The communities reserve the right to only meet with entrepreneurs they deem suitable.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this stream, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- During the past 10 years, have at least 3 years of experience as an owner/manager of an active business or have at least 4 years as a senior manager.
- Educational credentials include completion of high school, equivalent to the Canadian standard, with an Education Credential Assessment (ECA)
- You must meet the Canadian Language Benchmark level 4 for each English skill or the Canadian Language Competency Level 4 for each French skill: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The results of your official tests must be less than 2 years old when you submit your Expression of Interest.