Alberta Immigration Streams
Alberta Immigration Streams
If you're interested in immigrating to Alberta, there are currently eight immigration streams available. These streams cater to various candidates, including foreign workers, healthcare professionals, and individuals with job offers in Alberta. Here’s a breakdown of the available options:
1. Tourism and Hospitality Stream
- Eligibility: This stream is for candidates living and working in Alberta with a full-time job offer from an employer in the tourism and hospitality sector.
- Purpose: To attract skilled workers to continue contributing to Alberta’s tourism and hospitality industry.
To be eligible for the Tourism and Hospitality Stream, your current employment and Alberta job offer must be with a single, approved Tourism and Hospitality employer.
Requirements for Approved Employers:
Eligible Industries: Your employer’s primary business activities must belong to an eligible industry, as defined by the Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB) – Alberta industry code, or fall under exempt activities.
WCB Coverage: At the time of submitting your application and when the AAIP assesses your application, your employer must have valid WCB coverage. Alternatively, if your employer is exempt from needing coverage, they must provide a WCB clearance letter.
Use this link to determine if your Alberta employer’s primary business activities belong to an eligible WCB Industry. If you need assistance in determining a WCB industry, or if you need to know if coverage is required, contact WCB – Alberta.
Sector association and Travel Alberta membership requirements
At the time your application is submitted your Alberta employer must be a member of an eligible sector association, provided in this link. .
2. Alberta Opportunity Stream
- Eligibility: For qualified candidates who live and work in Alberta with a valid job offer from an Alberta employer.
- Purpose: This stream allows foreign workers to apply for an Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AAIP) nomination based on their job offer.
Eligible Occupations
To qualify under the Alberta Opportunity Stream, you must be employed in an eligible occupation in Alberta at the time you submit your application and when it is assessed by the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). The occupation you are employed in at the time of application is referred to as your "current occupation."
Ineligible Occupations
Certain occupations are not eligible for this stream. If you are employed in one of these roles at the time of submission or assessment, you will not qualify for application or nomination.
For a detailed list of ineligible occupations, click here.
Language Requirements
You must meet the following minimum language test scores in English or French at the time of application, based on a single test result:
NOC TEER Category | English CLB | French NCLC |
|---|---|---|
NOC 0, 1, 2, 3 occupations | Minimum 5 | Minimum 5 |
NOC 4 or 5 occupations | Minimum 4 | Minimum 4 |
NOC 33102 (nurse aides, etc.) | Minimum 7 | Minimum 7 |
Education Requirements
For All Applicants Except Post-Graduation Work Permit Holders
As of January 1, 2021, you must have completed at least a high school education equivalent to Canadian standards at the time of application.
You must submit an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for your highest level of education, issued by an IRCC-designated organization. If your ECA indicates that your credential is not equivalent to Canadian high school completion, your application may not qualify.
3. Alberta Express Entry Stream
- Eligibility: Candidates in the federal Express Entry pool may be invited to apply for a provincial nomination if they meet the minimum criteria and align with Alberta's economic priorities.
- Special Pathways: There are dedicated pathways for healthcare professionals, technology workers, and police occupations within this stream.
4. Dedicated Health Care Pathway - Eligibility: For healthcare professionals with a job offer in an eligible health care profession in Alberta.
- Purpose: To nominate qualified healthcare workers for permanent residence in Alberta.
5. Rural Renewal Stream
- Eligibility: Rural communities in Alberta can apply for designation to attract and recruit newcomers to address labor shortages and encourage settlement in rural areas.
Purpose: To address workforce needs in rural communities across Alberta.
Alberta Immigration Streams for Entrepreneurs
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AAIP) offers four immigration streams for entrepreneurs who wish to establish or buy a business in Alberta. Here’s an overview of the available options:
1. Rural Entrepreneur Stream
- Eligibility: Entrepreneurs interested in starting a new business or buying an existing business in a rural Alberta community can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
- Purpose: To encourage business development and economic growth in rural Alberta.
2. Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
- Eligibility: International graduates of approved Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to start or purchase a business in the province can submit an Expression of Interest.
- Purpose: To support Alberta’s graduate entrepreneurs in starting their own businesses and contributing to the local economy.
3. Farm Stream
- Eligibility: Experienced farmers looking to purchase or start a farm in Alberta can apply for a nomination under this stream.
- Purpose: To attract experienced agricultural entrepreneurs to invest in Alberta’s farming sector.
4. Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
- Eligibility: Foreign graduates who have obtained a degree from a post-secondary institution outside of Canada and wish to launch an innovative business or start-up in Alberta.
- Purpose: To help international graduates establish start-ups and contribute innovative ideas to Alberta’s economy.
