Alberta
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) on a frequently publishes Notification of Interest (NOIs) letters to Express Entry candidates who are qualified. These candidates can apply for a provincial nomination from AAIP. On acceptance these candidates are nominated by the province, receive 600 points and are invited to apply for permanent residence (PR).
January 17, 2023 - Nomination Certificate limits
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sets the limits for nominations the AAIP can issue each year. IRCC provided 6,500 nomination certificates to Alberta for 2022.
The AAIP has issued all of the IRCC nomination certificates for 2022.
AAIP Streams for Workers
Alberta Express Entry Draws 2022
Alberta 2022 Draws Details
January 9 - AINP EXPRESS ENTRY ACCELERATED TECH PATHWAY - NEW
AINP Express Entry introduces new accelerated Tech pathway
This pathway has 38 occupations under the AINP Express Entry stream.
The Accelerated Tech Pathway has specific minimum eligibility and assessment criteria.
If you believe you meet the assessment criteria, you must first complete and submit the Accelerated Tech Pathway form. This form includes information on your Alberta-based job offer or employment, as well as your federal Express Entry profile.
The AINP will review the information in the form and determine if you meet the minimum eligibility criteria. If you meet minimum criteria, the AINP will then send an email inviting you to submit an application.
Read more
January 19, 2022 - AINP DRAW
Alberta PNP Draw on January 5, 2022 issued 250 invitations, lowest score was 327.
Nomination certificate limits
The following numbers are accurate as of January 18, 2022.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sets the limits for nominations the AINP can issue each year. IRCC provided 6,250 nomination certificates to Alberta for 2021.
The AINP has issued all 6,250 certificates for 2021. The AINP will continue to assess applications in the queue; however, no further certificates will be issued until January 2022.
There are approximately 450 Alberta Opportunity Stream applications and 775 expression of interest applications in the Alberta Express Entry pool.
Information on application volumes and processing is available to help you determine the status of your application.
The AINP does not provide status updates.
January 13 - NEW ALBERTA IMMIGRATION PROGRAM AIMED AT TECHNOLOGY JOBS - ACCELERATED TECH PATHWAY
The Alberta government is trying to attract more people with a background in technology to the province with a new pilot program aimed at speeding up the immigration process.
The Accelerated Tech Pathway, which began accepting applications last month, has been added to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program, Labour and Immigration Minister Tyler Shandro said Thursday, meaning that people like civil and mechanical engineers, medical laboratory technicians and graphic designers have the chance to have their application for permanent residency fast-tracked as a way of helping Alberta deal with labour shortages.
“Under this new pathway, tech professionals from across Canada and overseas can become permanent residents in as little as six months if they have a job offer in an in-demand tech industry occupation,” Shandro said.
“Along with priority application processing, tech professionals will also receive a letter of support from the Government of Alberta if they require a work permit.”
Similar to other express immigration routes in Alberta, in order to apply, potential employees have to first have gone through the process to start an express entry profile with the Government of Canada.
Read more
December 9 - ALBERTA PNP (AINP) INVITES 100 CANDIDATES IN DRAW ON NOVEMBER 24, 2021
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sets the limits for nominations the AINP can issue each year. IRCC provided 6,250 nomination certificates to Alberta for 2021.
6,094 nomination certificates have been issued so far in 2021.
There are approximately 400 Alberta Opportunity Stream applications and 825 expression of interest applications in the Alberta Express Entry pool.
Read more
October 26 - ALBERTA PNP DRAW - AINP
Alberta released detailed of the draw held on October 12, 2021.
Invitations: 293
CRS score: 300
The AINP regularly reviews available candidates in the federal Express Entry pool. Based on available profile information in the portal, the AINP draws to select candidates from the pool, inviting them to submit a completed application to the AINP. Information on Alberta Express Entry Stream Notification of Interest factors is included on the eligibility page.
Read more
https://www.alberta.ca/ainp-processing-times-inventory.aspx
September 21, 2021 - AINP Draw Update
SEPTEMBER 7, 2021: AINP - EXPRESS ENTRY STREAM SELECTION DRAW
The AINP regularly reviews available candidates in the federal Express Entry pool. Based on available profile information in the portal, the AINP draws to select candidates from the pool, inviting them to submit a completed application to the AINP. Information on Alberta Express Entry Stream Notification of Interest factors is included on the eligibility page.
Read more
April 5 - CALGARY HAS OVER 2,000 TECH JOBS
A young, well-educated and globally connected workforce is Calgary’s most important asset and those workers get to take on some of the world’s biggest and most important challenge. The pool of highly qualified workers has made Calgary a global talent hub that is home to innovators and entrepreneurs.
Calgary is a city of opportunity that attracts people from around the world seeking a great place to make a living and a life. More than 29 per cent of the population immigrated from elsewhere in the world and Calgary is home to people with 240 different ethnic origins.
Read more
April 2 - ALBERTA - HOW TO FIND EMPLOYMENT IN ALBERTA
There are many ways to find employment in Alberta. The bigger challenge is finding a career that you want to stay in for long-term.
Many newcomers work survival jobs while they work towards their careers. Working towards a career may require taking English classes, bridging programs or going to College or University. Luckily Alberta has many immigrant associations, resources and programs to help newcomers find meaningful employment.
The Alberta Government does have an “Employment Support” page that helps Albertans looking for work or facing layoffs. In addition, the Alberta Learning and Information Service(ALIS) has many valuable resources for searching and applying for employment. Both pages are excellent ways to start your job search. You can find many resources below to help you find employment in Alberta.
Read more
March 26 - ALBERTA PNP DRAW INVITES 300 CANDIDATES
On March 26, Alberta PNP sent 300 Notification of Interest (NOI) to candidates who had a CRS score of 301.
The AINP regularly reviews available candidates in the federal Express Entry pool. Based on available profile information in the portal, the AINP draws to select candidates from the pool, inviting them to submit a completed application to the AINP. Information on Alberta Express Entry Stream Notification of Interest factors is included on the eligibility page.
Read more
https://www.alberta.ca/ainp-processing-times-inventory.aspx#jumplinks-3
March 2 - ALBERTA PNP DRAW INVITES 200, CANDIDATES, score 301
February 16 - ALBERTA PNP DRAW INVITES 159 CANDIDATES, score 352
February 10 - ALBERTA PNP DRAW INVITES 200 CANDIDATES, score 301
February 11 - AINP PROCESSING TIMES AND INVENTORY
Are you looking for AINP applications processing times and know which streams are accepting applications?
February 2 - Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC
Total number of 216 Skilled Worker and International Graduate candidates invited to apply in the Express Entry BC (EEBC) and Skills Immigration.
The cut off score for Express Entry BC:
Skilled Worker: 104
International Graduate: 100
The Skills Immigration cutoff score:
Skilled Worker: 98
International Graduate: 98
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled: 79
BC PNP’s Entrepreneur Immigration Base Category invited 8 applicants.
The cut-off score was 122.
January 27 - Foreign Graduate Start-up Stream Launched
On January 27, 2021, Alberta launched the Foreign Graduate Start-up Visa Stream (FGSVS). The FGSVS is an economic immigration program for qualified foreign educated graduates from outside of Canada who want to launch start-up enterprises and innovative businesses in Alberta. The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) is now accepting applications from eligible candidates.
Foreign graduates who are keen to apply under the FGSVS must work with a designated agency. The designated agency will issue a letter of recommendation if it considers that the foreign graduate meets the AINP requirements. The foreign graduate requires to submit the letter of recommendation with their Expression of Interest (EOI) through the AINP Portal.
The designated agency will review business plans based on the foreign graduate’s ability to demonstrate market need or demand, the potential for successful market entry in the short-term to medium-term, customer acquisition, business development, key partnerships and financial plans to fund the development and operation of the start-up. The designated agency will provide a written report on their assessment of the proposed business plan. Foreign graduates must submit this report with their FGSVS Business Application.
Read more about the eligibility criteria here
January 26 - BC PNP - 81 invitations
The BC PNP issued 81 ITAs to individuals in 4 streams.
Name of Stream: Minimum Score
Skilled Worker: 80
International Graduate: 80
EEBC Skilled Worker: 80
International Graduate: 80
January 12 - BC PNP - 80 invitations
The BC PNP issued 80 ITAs to individuals in 4 streams.
Name of Stream: Minimum Score
Skilled Worker: 80
International Graduate: 80
EEBC Skilled Worker: 80
International Graduate: 80
January 5 - BC PNP - 168 invitations
The BC PNP issued 168 ITAs to individuals in 5 streams.
Name of Stream: Minimum Score
Skilled Worker: 95
International Graduate: 95
EEBC Skilled Worker: 99
International Graduate: 99
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled: 77
December 22 - BC PNP - 230 invitations
The BC PNP issued 230 ITAs to individuals in 5 streams.
Name of Stream: Minimum Score
Skilled Worker: 95
International Graduate: 95
EEBC Skilled Worker: 99
International Graduate: 99
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled: 77
December 8 - BC PNP - 230 invitations
The BC PNP issued 256 ITAs to individuals in 5 streams.
Name of Stream: Minimum Score
Skilled Worker: 95
International Graduate: 95
EEBC Skilled Worker: 99
International Graduate: 99
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled: 77
NOvember 24 - BC PNP - 360 invitations
The BC PNP issued 360 ITAs to individuals in 5 streams.
Name of Stream: Minimum Score
Skilled Worker: 93
International Graduate: 94
EEBC Skilled Worker: 92
International Graduate: 93
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled: 75
October 20 - BC PNP - Tech Draw-80 invitations
The BC PNP issued 80 ITAs to individuals in 4 streams.
Name of Stream: Minimum Score
Skilled Worker: 80
International Graduate: 80
EEBC Skilled Worker: 80
International Graduate: 80
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled: 75
October 8 - Alberta PNP has new online portal and fees
Effective October 1, 2020, candidates applying to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) can apply online except for applications to the Self-Employed Farmer Stream. Candidates applying in the Alberta Express Entry Stream must receive authorization from AINP to access the portal.
The AINP portal was designed to make immigration applications easier. Candidates receive tips on how to enter data, a customized list of documents and can save a draft application to complete their application at another time. The system does an initial assessment on eligibility to make sure candidates who clearly do not meet basic criteria do not waste time and money submitting an application.
In addition, some of the other changes are:
Application fees
All applications submitted using the AINP online portal on or after October 1, 2020 will have to pay $500 as a processing fee. The application fee is non-refundable once an application has been submitted. The fee covers the cost of processing the application and is required whether a nomination certificate is issued or not.
Candidates who submitted an Alberta Opportunity Stream and Express Entry Stream application by mail on or before October 1, 2020 do not have to pay the processing fee.
Applications mailed after October 1, 2020 to the Self-Employed Farmer Stream must pay the fee.
Post-decision services fees
All requests for post-decision services must now be emailed.
The AINP is now charging a fee for post-decision services, including requests for reconsideration, nomination extensions and nominee requests for 204(c) Letters of Support. All fees are paid online.
204(c) Letters of Support will no longer be issued with a nomination and must be requested by the nominee. Nominees who have a written request from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a 204(c) Letter of Support do not need to pay the service fee.
The fee covers the cost of processing request and is required even if it is determined you are not eligible to have your decision reconsidered or that you are not eligible to receive a nomination extension or 204(c) Letter of Support. Refunds will only be provided for requests for reconsideration where the original decision to decline an application is overturned. All other service fees are non-refundable.
Changes to COVID-19 measures
AINP has made some changes to some temporary COVID-19 application and processing adjustments.
• Incomplete applications will no longer be accepted. Incomplete applications mailed on or after October 1, 2020 or submitted in the online portal will be declined.
• Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) and Alberta Express Entry Stream applications must be completed using the new AINP online portal. Only Self-Employed Farmer Stream applicants will continue to mail their applications. Only additional information or application updates can be submitted by email.
• All candidates who have lost their job after submitting an application to the AINP, regardless of the date they applied, as well as all nominees, will have up to 6 months (180 days) from the time their application is assessed to find employment that meets AINP criteria. Candidates must meet employment requirements at the time an application is submitted or mailed. AINP will advise by email when an application is put on hold. This change provides more opportunity to meet AINP employment criteria and extends the time to find employment by up to 4 months for candidates and nominees. Previously, nominees and select candidates were given up to 60 days to find qualifying employment.
Application updates now submitted by email
All candidates, including those who applied by mail, will send their application updates by email. This includes informing the AINP about:
• corrections or updates to information or documents in an application
• updates to employment status, immigration status, contact information, family composition
• updates to use of a third-party representative
• application withdrawal
AINP stated that the online portal is only accessible to the individual applying, they can, however, share the application with a representative by printing a copy of the preview.
June 17 - Alberta PNP draw issues invitation 187 invitation to Express Entry Candidates
Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) invited 187 candidates through the Alberta Express Entry stream who had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 303.
Currently due to Covid-19 only candidates who are in Alberta are being issued with invitations to apply for provincial nomination. Also, the candidates need to:
• have a job and work in Alberta
• have a work permit that allows them to work
• have a full-time paid job, work in an eligible occupation that meets the provinces minimum wage, and is above the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) conditions
To date AINP has invited 1,785 Express Entry candidates for provincial nomination.
May 27 - Alberta Express Entry Draw Invites 148 Candidates
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) invited 148 candidates were invited to apply through the Alberta Express Entry Stream. All candidates had profiles in the Express Entry system and had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of a minimum 300.
To be invited through the Alberta Express Entry Stream candidates do not need to have a job offer, but they do require to have profiles in the Express Entry Stream.
Currently only candidates within Alberta are being invited for a nomination due to Covid-19. However, Candidates require to have work experience in an eligible occupation that supports the Alberta’s economic development plan. AINP has communicates a list of occupations that they will not consider, e.g., the provinces high-wage and low-wage occupations, and Alberta Opportunity Stream Ineligible Occupations list.
Also, due to the pandemic AINP needs candidates to meet the following conditions in order to receive a nomination:
• be currently working in Alberta, even if they are working from home;
• have a work permit authorizing them to work in their current job;
• have a job that is full-time, paid, meet the provincial minimum wage, exceed Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirements; and they must work in an eligible occupation.
Applications of candidates who are not able to meet license pre-requisites and were working full-time before the pandemic will be kept on hold for 60 days.
Applications of candidates that do not have an employment history in the province, will not be processed.
To date Alberta has issued 1,475 invitations to Express Entry candidates. In 2019, the Albert Express Entry Stream issued of its 6,000 certificates.
May 13 - AINP Express Entry Draw
AINP issued 191 Notification of Interest (NOI) to candidates who had their profiles in the Express Entry pool and were registered. All candidates received 600 additional points toward their CRS score. They need to accept their nomination in 30 days. Minimum CRS was 300.
April 29 – Alberta Covid-19 Measures: AINP Immigration Applications Processing Update
Effective today, the province of Alberta has implemented new temporary coronavirus measures for processing immigration applications for the Alberta Immigration Nominee Program (AINP) amid the coronavirus pandemic.
AINP stated that it will accept copies of all documents and will confirm the documents genuineness either by email or telephone. An incomplete application will be accepted if the candidate meets the below criterion:
• Application is submitted after April 29
• Selection criteria for their AINP stream is met
• Write an explanation letter explaining the reason the application is incomplete
• Attach proof they are in the process of obtaining the document
• For the Alberta Opportunity Stream, attach language test results, or proof that they have registered for a language test
• For Alberta Express Entry Stream, attach valid language results and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
If a candidate has applied before April 29, and is unable to provide any documentation, they need to write an explanation letter outlining the reason the document is not attached. Also, they need to attached proof that they have requested the document.
Alberta will hold all incomplete applications for 60 days from the mailing date. The application can be on hold for a maximum period of six months.
April 29 - AINP Express Entry Draw
AINP issued 200 Notification of Interest (NOI) to candidates who had their profiles in the Express Entry pool and were registered. All candidates received 600 additional points toward their CRS score. They need to accept their nomination in 30 days. Minimum CRS was 322.
April 29 - Temporary changes
Selection criteria and assessment of applications:
Alberta Opportunity Stream
New candidates and current candidates who are working in a place that is not under government directive are eligible for nomination. Candidates who have difficulty in meeting the program criteria will have their applications put on hold for 60 calendar days to enable them time to meet the guidelines.
Alberta Express Entry Stream
Selection draws and nominations continue as usual under the Alberta Express Entry Stream. Only individuals living and working in Alberta will be considered for a nomination at this time.
After nomination
Nominees whose employment circumstance change due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be given 60 calendar days to meet employment criteria in order to maintain their nomination. Nominees who move to another province or territory will have their nomination withdrawn. Nomination extensions and/or 204(c) Letters of Support will be issued to nominees who meet the requirements for these post-nomination supports.
April 16 - AINP Express Entry Draw
AINP issued 200 Notification of Interest (NOI) to candidates who had their profiles in the Express Entry pool and were registered. All candidates received 600 additional points toward their CRS score. They need to accept their nomination in 30 days. Minimum CRS was 353.
April 1 - AINP Express Entry Draw
AINP issued 120 Notification of Interest (NOI) to candidates who had their profiles in the Express Entry pool and were registered. All candidates received 600 additional points toward their CRS score. They need to accept their nomination in 30 days. Minimum CRS was 381.
March 18 - Alberta Express Entry Draw Invites 136 Candidates
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) invited 136 candidates were invited to apply through the Alberta Express Entry Stream. All candidates had profiles in the Express Entry system and had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of a minimum 300.
To be invited through the Alberta Express Entry Stream candidates do not need to have a job offer, but they do require to have profiles in the Express Entry Stream.
March 4 - Alberta Provincial Nominee Program Invites 100 Candidates in Draw
In a draw held on March 4, 100 invitation were issued to candidates in the Express Entry pool in Alberta who had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300 and higher.
February 20- Alberta Provincial Nominee Program Invites 150 Candidates in Draw
In a draw held on February 20, 150 invitation were issued to candidates in the Express Entry pool in Alberta who had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300 and higher.
January 29 - Alberta Provincial Nominee Program Invites 150 Candidates in Draw
In a draw held on January 29, 150 invitation were issued to candidates in the Express Entry pool in Alberta who had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300 and higher.
January 22 - Alberta Provincial Nominee Program Invites 150 Candidates in Draw
In a draw held on January 22, 150 invitation were issued to candidates in the Express Entry pool in Alberta who had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300 and higher.
January 20 - Alberta Provincial Nominee Program Invites 201 Candidates in Draw
In a draw held on January 20, 201 invitation were issued to candidates in the Express Entry pool in Alberta who had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 350 and higher.
January 9 - Alberta Provincial Nominee Program Invites 150 Candidates in Draw
In a draw held on January 9, 150 invitation were issued to candidates in the Express Entry pool in Alberta who had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 350 and higher.
December 5 - Alberta Provincial Nominee Program Invites 132 Candidates in Draw
In a draw held on December 5, 132 invitation were issued to candidates in the Express Entry pool in Alberta who had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 400 and higher.
November 17 - Alberta Provincial Nominee Program Invites 401 Candidates in Two Successive Draws
In a draw held on October 24, 372 invitation were issued to candidates in the Express Entry pool in Alberta who had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300 and higher.
In a similar draw on October 30, invitations were issued to 29 candidates, however, the minimum score rose to 350 and higher.
Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination obtain an additional 600 points toward their CRS score and are essentially assured an invitation to apply for permanent residence in a following draw from the Express Entry system.
The candidates have 30 days to accept the nomination in their Express Entry profile in the portal to be eligible to apply for permanent residence under this stream.
Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) nomination are always sent by email. After the candidates get the AINP nomination, they require apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as soon as possible. The nomination is only valid for 6 months.
The candidate needs to pay the fees and send the application along with the police certificates to the IRCC Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.
October 30 - Alberta Provincial Nominee Program Invites 29 Candidates in Draw
In a draw held on October 30, 29 invitation were issued to candidates in the Express Entry pool in Alberta who had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 350 and higher.
October 24 - Alberta Provincial Nominee Program Invites 372 Candidates in Draw
In a draw held on October 24, 372 invitation were issued to candidates in the Express Entry pool in Alberta who had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300 and higher.
October 9 - Alberta Provincial Nominee Program Invites 115 Candidates in Draw
In a draw held on October 9, 115 invitation were issued to candidates in the Express Entry pool in Alberta who had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 350 and higher.
September 5 - Express Entry - Alberta PNP Issues Invitations to 121 Candidates
On August 15th, Alberta issued 121 Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to Express Entry (EE) stream candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores as low as 400 in its latest draw.
Prior to this on August 7, Alberta issued 35 invitations to candidates who had a CRS score of 352.
The EE stream of Alberta’s PNP is connected to the federal EE system, which means that the candidate must first create an EE profile in order to be considered for a PNP nomination. It is worth mentioning that to be eligible candidates do not require to have a job offer or previous work experience in Alberta. The key is that they should be working in an occupation that supports the economic development and diversification priorities of the province of Alberta.
The Express Entry stream of Alberta PNP gives priority to candidates with:
· A job offers and/or work experience in Alberta;
· A degree from a Canadian post-secondary institution and a valid job offer; or
· A parent, child or sibling already living in Alberta.
Self-Employed Farmer Application (AINP 004)
Prior to submitting an application, Candidates must first seek an assessment from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. Contact Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Telephone: (Canada 001) 403-742-7901 Toll-free in Alberta: 310 FARM (310-3276) or 1-866-882-7677.
