The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)

Alberta Express Entry Stream

Immigrate to Canada: Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)

The following is a summary of the basic requirements of each of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). The AAIP has programs that are linked to Express Entry and programs that do not require applicants to have a valid Express Entry profile.

Please note that the following are only summaries of the basic essential requirements for each program. If you believe you meet the criteria of the program, you will need to review the full AAIP program guidelines to make sure that you meet all of the OINP’s specific requirements. If you need assistance with this, you can book a consultation with one of our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants. 

Alberta Express Entry Stream

For the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)’s  Express Entry Stream,  AAIP will contact applicants if they have decided to choose them. Applicants do not apply directly to the AAIP, they have to wait to receive a notification of interest from the AAIP. If applicants do not hear from the AAIP, then they are not interested in your profile at this time. If an applicant is selected, they are notified through their Express Entry portal and given a specific timeline to contact the AAIP to complete and submit required application forms and supporting documents. If the deadline is not met, the applicant will not be eligible for the nomination. If the deadline is met, the AAIP will review your documents, and if you are found to be eligible, they will issue you with a provincial nomination. This will then add 600 points to your Express Entry score, and you will be eligible under the provincial nominee program and can be chosen in Express Entry draws for provincial nominees.

Applicants must have the following to be eligible for consideration

  • An active Express Entry profile in the federal Express Entry pool;
  • Have stated an interest in immigrating permanently to Alberta;
  • Are working in an occupation that supports Alberta’s economic development and diversification;
  • Have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 300;
  • If you have one or more of the following adaptability factors, this may increase your likelihood of receiving a Notification of Interest letter:
    • you have an Alberta job offer
    • you are a graduate of a Canadian post-secondary institution
    • you have a parent, child, brother or sister who is a permanent resident living in Alberta, or a Canadian citizen living in Alberta
    • French is your first language

Please note that if you are invited to submit an application to the AAIP, you will need to review the full program guidelines to make sure that you meet all of AAIP’s specific requirements. If you need assistance with this, you can book a consultation with one of our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants. 

 

The following can make an applicant less likely to be selected:

  • your Express Entry profile expires in 5 months or less
  • your primary occupation in your federal Express Entry profile
  • your primary occupation in your federal Express Entry profile falls within one of the NOC codes listed in the following section

 

Is there an AAIP Occupation in Demand List?

Only those with experience in an occupation that supports Alberta’s economic development and diversification may be chosen. AAIP has not released a set list of which occupations are in demand or NOC codes that guarantee being selected. AAIP only states that the following occupations are less likely to be selected:

Business, finance, and administration occupations

  • 1221 – Administrative officers
  • 1226 – Conference and event planners
  • 1227 – Court officers and justices of the peace
  • 1241 – Administrative assistants
  • 1242 – Legal administrative assistants
  • 1253 – Records management technicians
  • 1411 – General office support workers
  • 1414 – Receptionists
  • 1511 – Mail, postal and related workers
  • 1526 – Transportation route and crew schedulers

Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

  • 2113 – Geoscientists and oceanographers
  • 2115 – Other professional occupations in physical sciences
  • 2122 – Forestry professionals
  • 2131 – Civil engineers
  • 2132 – Mechanical engineers
  • 2134 – Chemical engineers
  • 2141 – Industrial and manufacturing engineers
  • 2211 – Chemical technologists and technicians
  • 2233 – Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
  • 2253 – Drafting technologists and technicians
  • 2273 – Deck officers, water transport
  • 2274 – Engineer officers, water transport
  • 2275 – Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators

Health occupations

  • 3214 – Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
  • 3216 – Medical sonographers
  • 3217 – Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c.
  • 3232 – Practitioners of natural healing
  • 3414 – Other assisting occupations in support of health services

Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services

  • 4012 – Post-secondary teaching and research assistants
  • 4021 – College and other vocational instructors
  • 4033 – Educational counsellors
  • 4111 – Judges
  • 4156 – Employment counsellors
  • 4166 – Education policy researchers, consultants and program officers
  • 4167 – Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers
  • 4214 – Early childhood educators and assistants
  • 4413 – Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants

Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport

  • 5113 – Archivists
  • 5123 – Journalists
  • 5125 – Translators, terminologists and interpreters
  • 5135 – Actors and comedians
  • 5211 – Library and public archive technicians
  • 5223 – Graphic arts technicians
  • 5224 – Broadcast technicians
  • 5225 – Audio and video recording technicians
  • 5226 – Other technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
  • 5252 – Coaches
  • 5254 – Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness

Sales and service occupations

  • 6312 – Executive housekeepers
  • 6313 – Accommodation, travel, tourism and related services supervisors
  • 6321 – Chefs
  • 6322 – Cooks
  • 6332 – Bakers
  • 6341 – Hairstylists and barbers
  • 6411 – Sales and account representatives – wholesale trade (non-technical)
  • 6511 – Maîtres d’hôtel and hosts/hostesses
  • 6512 – Bartenders
  • 6513 – Food and beverage servers
  • 6521 – Travel counsellors
  • 6522 – Pursers and flight attendants
  • 6523 – Airline ticket and service agents
  • 6524 – Ground and water transport ticket agents, cargo service representatives and related clerks
  • 6525 – Hotel front desk clerks
  • 6533 – Casino occupations
  • 6552 – Other customer and information services representatives
  • 6611 – Cashiers
  • 6622 – Store shelf stockers, clerks and order fillers
  • 6721 – Support occupations in accommodation, travel and facilities set-up services
  • 6731 – Light duty cleaners
  • 6741 – Dry cleaning, laundry and related occupations
  • 6742 – Other service support occupations, n.e.c.

Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

  • 7231 – Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
  • 7233 – Sheet metal workers
  • 7236 – Ironworkers
  • 7237 – Welders and related machine operators (except pressure/alloy welders)
  • 7242 – Industrial electricians
  • 7294 – Painters and decorators
  • 7312 – Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
  • 7315 – Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
  • 7321 – Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
  • 7331 – Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics
  • 7371 – Crane operators (except all-terrain crane operators)
  • 7452 – Material handlers
  • 7512 – Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators
  • 7521 – Heavy equipment operators
  • 7534 – Air transport ramp attendants
  • 7611 – Construction trades helpers and labourers

Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations

  • 8222 – Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services
  • 8232 – Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers
  • 8613 – Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers
  • 8615 – Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers

Occupations in manufacturing and utilities

  • 9214 – Supervisors, plastic and rubber products manufacturing
  • 9222 – Supervisors, electronics manufacturing
  • 9235 – Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators
  • 9412 – Foundry workers
  • 9432 – Pulp mill machine operators
  • 9433 – Papermaking and finishing machine operators
  • 9434 – Other wood processing machine operators
  • 9435 – Paper converting machine operators
  • 9436 – Lumber graders and other wood processing inspectors and graders
  • 9441 – Textile fibre and yarn, hide and pelt processing machine operators and workers
  • 9442 – Weavers, knitters and other fabric making occupations
  • 9445 – Fabric, fur and leather cutters
  • 9447 – Inspectors and graders, textile, fabric, fur and leather products manufacturing
  • 9461 – Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing
  • 9463 – Fish and seafood plant workers
  • 9465 – Testers and graders, food and beverage processing
  • 9472 – Camera, platemaking and other prepress occupations
  • 9474 – Photographic and film processors
  • 9521 – Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
  • 9524 – Assemblers and inspectors, electrical appliance, apparatus and equipment manufacturing
  • 9533 – Other wood products assemblers and inspectors
  • 9617 – Labourers in food and beverage processing

AAIP states that the following occupations are ineligible to be selected:

The below National Occupation Classification (NOC) code consists of both eligible occupations and ineligible occupations. The ‘Occupation’ column specifies which specific occupations are ineligible to be selected for each NOC Code listed.
NOC Code (2016)NOC Skill LevelThe specific occupation which is ineligible
00110Legislators
04220School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education
04230Managers in social, community and correctional services
04320Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers
0651*0Escort agency managers, massage parlour managers
4031ASecondary school teachers
4032AElementary school and kindergarten teachers
4154AProfessional occupations in religion
5121AAuthors and writers
5133AMusicians and singers
5135AActors and comedians
5136APainters, sculptors and other visual artists
1227BCourt officers and justices of the peace
3223*BDental laboratory assistants/bench workers
4214*BEarly childhood educators who do not have certification through Alberta Children’s Services – Child Care Staff Certification Office or who have been certified as Level 1 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Assistant)
4216BOther instructors
4217BOther religious occupations
5232BOther performers, not elsewhere classified
5244BArtisans and craftspersons
5251BAthletes
6232BReal estate agents and salespersons
4411CHome child care providers
4412CHome support workers, housekeepers and related occupations
4413CElementary and secondary school teacher assistants
6533CCasino occupations
6564COther personal service occupations
7513CTaxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs
8442CTrappers and hunters
6623DOther sales related occupations
6722DOperators and attendants in amusement, recreation and sport
6742DOther service support occupations, not elsewhere classified
8611DHarvesting labourers
8612DLandscaping and grounds maintenance labourers
8613DAquaculture and marine harvest labourers
8614DMine labourers

Alberta Express Entry Stream – Accelerated Tech Pathway

New Alberta Express Entry Stream – Accelerated Tech Pathway

The AAIP has created a new substream under their Alberta Express Entry Stream. This pathway is specifically for those in the Express Entry system who have a valid job offer from an eligible Alberta employer. To be considered under this stream, eligible applicants need to complete an online electronic application form with the AAIP. 

Applicants must have the following to be eligible for consideration

  • An active Express Entry profile in the federal Express Entry pool (which should not be expiring in the next three months);
  • Have stated an interest in immigrating permanently to Alberta;
  • Have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 300
  • you are working full-time in Alberta or have a job offer for full-time employment based in Alberta (full-time means a minimum of 30 hours per week)
  • your employment or job offer is on the list of eligible Accelerated Tech Pathway occupations below AND
    • your employer is part of the Alberta tech industry as defined by the AAIP list of eligible North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes below
  • the primary occupation in your EE profile is the same occupation as your current Alberta employment or job offer
  • have completed an online electronic application form with the AAIP. 

Please note that if you are invited to submit an application to the AAIP, you will need to review the full program guidelines to make sure that you, your employer, and your job offer meet all of AAIP’s specific requirements. If you need assistance with this, you can book a consultation with one of our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants. 

List of eligible Accelerated Tech Pathway occupations

0013 Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services
0112 Human resources managers
0131 Telecommunication carriers manager
0211 Engineering managers
0212 Architecture and science managers
0213 Computer and information systems managers
0512 Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
0601 Corporate sales managers
1123 Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations
1121 Human resources professionals
1223 Human resources and recruitment officers
2131 Civil engineers
2132 Mechanical engineers
2133 Electrical and electronics engineers
2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
2161 Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries
2171 Information systems analysts and consultants
2172 Database analysts and data administrators
2173 Software engineers and designers
2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers
2175 Web designers and developers
2221 Biological technologists and technicians
2232 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians

2233 Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
2253 Drafting technologists and technicians
2281 Computer network technicians
2282 User support technicians
2283 Information systems testing technicians
3211 Medical laboratory technologists
3212 Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists’ assistants
3219 Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health)
4163 Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants
5131 Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
5241 Graphic designers and illustrators
7241 Electricians (except industrial and power system)
7242 Industrial electricians
7246 Telecommunications installation and repair workers

 

AAIP list of eligible North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes

2211 Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution
3251 Basic Chemical Manufacturing
3254 Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing
3333 Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing
3341 Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing
3342 Communications Equipment Manufacturing
3343 Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing
3344 Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing
3345 Navigational, Medical and Control Instruments Manufacturing
3346 Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media
3364 Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing
4173 Computer and Communications Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
5112 Software Publishers
5121 Motion Picture and Video Industries
5171 Wired Telecommunications Carrier
5172 Wireless Telecommunications Carrier (except satellite)
5174 Satellite Telecommunications
5179 Other Telecommunications
5182 Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services
5191 Other Information Services
5413 Architectural, Engineering and Related services
5414 Specialized Design Services
5415 Computer Systems Design and Related Services
5417 Scientific Research and Development Services
5419 Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
7115 Independent Artists, Writers and Performers
8112 Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance

Alberta Opportunity Stream

For the Alberta Advantage Immigrant Program’s Opportunity Stream,  the applicant submits an application to the AAIP if they feel that they meet all of the program’s requirements. The AAIP Opportunity Stream is not connected to Express Entry. This means, that after submitting a complete application to the AAIP, if the AAIP approves the application, the applicant is issued with a provincial nomination certificate. They will then use that to apply for permanent residence through the non-Express-Entry stream.

Applicants must have a valid work permit for an eligible occupation based on one of the following: 

  • a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment
  • Labour Market Impact Assessment exemption based on one of the following:
    • international trade agreement
    • workers transferred within a company
    • International Experience Canada
    • Mobilité Francophone
  • a Post-Graduation Work Permit and the applicant graduated from an Alberta Advanced Education publicly funded post-secondary institution
    • Post-Graduation Work Permit holders must also meet specific occupation, education and work experience requirements that may differ from the below
    • Post-Graduation Work Permit holders’ occupation must also be related to their field of study in Alberta.
  •  Applicants must have a bona fide full-time job offer or employment contract from an Alberta employer to work in their current occupation in Alberta;
  • Applicants working in certain occupations at the time of their application and assessment of their application are not eligible to apply for or be nominated under the Alberta Opportunity Stream (see list below);
  • Applicants must have completed a minimum of high school education;
  • Applicants must be able to pass an approved language test in English or French with a minimum score at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 in listening, reading, writing, and speaking for NOC 0, A and B occupations. Those working in a NOC C or D occupation need to achieve a level 4 in listening, reading, writing, and speaking (or level 7 for NOC code 3413);
  • Applicants must have either:
    • a minimum of 12 months full-time work experience in their current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months; or
    • a minimum of 24 months of full-time work experience in their current occupation in Canada and/or abroad within the last 30 months
      • This work experience can be a combination of experience gained in Alberta, in Canada (outside Alberta) and/or abroad.
    • Post-Graduation Work Permit holders require 6 months of full-time work experience in their current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months

AAIP states that the following occupations are ineligible to apply:

The below National Occupation Classification (NOC) code consists of both eligible occupations and ineligible occupations. The ‘Occupation’ column specifies which specific occupations are ineligible to be selected for each NOC Code listed.
NOC Code (2016)NOC Skill LevelThe specific occupation which is ineligible
00110Legislators
04220School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education
04230Managers in social, community and correctional services
04320Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers
0651*0Escort agency managers, massage parlour managers
4031ASecondary school teachers
4032AElementary school and kindergarten teachers
4154AProfessional occupations in religion
5121AAuthors and writers
5133AMusicians and singers
5135AActors and comedians
5136APainters, sculptors and other visual artists
1227BCourt officers and justices of the peace
3223*BDental laboratory assistants/bench workers
4214*BEarly childhood educators who do not have certification through Alberta Children’s Services – Child Care Staff Certification Office or who have been certified as Level 1 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Assistant)
4216BOther instructors
4217BOther religious occupations
5232BOther performers, not elsewhere classified
5244BArtisans and craftspersons
5251BAthletes
6232BReal estate agents and salespersons
4411CHome child care providers
4412CHome support workers, housekeepers and related occupations
4413CElementary and secondary school teacher assistants
6533CCasino occupations
6564COther personal service occupations
7513CTaxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs
8442CTrappers and hunters
6623DOther sales related occupations
6722DOperators and attendants in amusement, recreation and sport
6742DOther service support occupations, not elsewhere classified
8611DHarvesting labourers
8612DLandscaping and grounds maintenance labourers
8613DAquaculture and marine harvest labourers
8614DMine labourers

Please note that if you are invited to submit an application to the AAIP, you will need to review the full program guidelines to make sure that you, your employer, and your job offer meet all of AAIP’s specific requirements. If you need assistance with this, you can book a consultation with one of our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants. 

Rural Renewal Stream

For the Alberta Advantage Immigrant Program’s Rural Renewal Stream,  the applicant submits an application to the AAIP if they feel that they meet all of the program’s requirements. The AAIP Rural Renewal Stream is not connected to Express Entry. This means, that after submitting a complete application to the AAIP, if the AAIP approves the application, the applicant is issued with a provincial nomination certificate. They will then use that to apply for permanent residence through the non-Express-Entry stream.

The AAIP Rural Renewal Stream is a two-part process.

Part 1 – Community endorsement requirement

All applicants to the AAIP Rural Renewal Stream must have a valid Endorsement of Candidate Letter issued by the Economic Development Organization (EDO) of your designated rural community in Alberta. At this time AAIP is still working on the list of eligible communities. All communities who participate must have a population that is less than 100,000.

Part 2 – Job offer that meets the following requirements: 

  • Applicants must have a bona fide full-time job offer or employment contract from an Alberta employer in one of the designated communities for a 12 month period or longer;
  • The wages and benefits being offered need to meet or exceed the lowest starting wage for your occupation across all industries in Alberta;
  • Applicants working in certain occupations at the time of their application and assessment of their application are not eligible to apply for or be nominated under the Alberta Opportunity Stream (see list below);
  • Applicants must have completed a minimum of high school education;
  • Applicants must be able to pass an approved language test in English or French with a minimum score at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 in listening, reading, writing, and speaking for NOC 0, A and B occupations. Those working in a NOC C or D occupation need to achieve a level 4 in listening, reading, writing, and speaking;
  • Applicants must have either:
    • a minimum of 12 months of full-time work experience in an eligible occupation in Canada and/or abroad within the last 18 months
      • This work experience can be a combination of experience gained in Alberta, in Canada (outside Alberta) and/or abroad.
    • Post-Graduation Work Permit holders who have completed a two-year post-secondary education program at an IRCC designated learning institution in their designated community are not required to meet the 12 months of work experience criterion.

AAIP states that the following occupations are ineligible to apply:

The below National Occupation Classification (NOC) code consists of both eligible occupations and ineligible occupations. The ‘Occupation’ column specifies which specific occupations are ineligible to be selected for each NOC Code listed.
NOC Code (2016)NOC Skill LevelThe specific occupation which is ineligible
00110Legislators
04220School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education
04230Managers in social, community and correctional services
04320Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers
0651*0Escort agency managers, massage parlour managers
4031ASecondary school teachers
4032AElementary school and kindergarten teachers
4154AProfessional occupations in religion
5121AAuthors and writers
5133AMusicians and singers
5135AActors and comedians
5136APainters, sculptors and other visual artists
1227BCourt officers and justices of the peace
3223*BDental laboratory assistants/bench workers
4214*BEarly childhood educators who do not have certification through Alberta Children’s Services – Child Care Staff Certification Office or who have been certified as Level 1 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Assistant)
4216BOther instructors
4217BOther religious occupations
5232BOther performers, not elsewhere classified
5244BArtisans and craftspersons
5251BAthletes
6232BReal estate agents and salespersons
4411CHome child care providers
4412CHome support workers, housekeepers and related occupations
4413CElementary and secondary school teacher assistants
6533CCasino occupations
6564COther personal service occupations
7513CTaxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs
8442CTrappers and hunters
6623DOther sales related occupations
6722DOperators and attendants in amusement, recreation and sport
6742DOther service support occupations, not elsewhere classified
8611DHarvesting labourers
8612DLandscaping and grounds maintenance labourers
8613DAquaculture and marine harvest labourers
8614DMine labourers

Please note that if you are invited to submit an application to the AAIP, you will need to review the full program guidelines to make sure that you, your employer, and your job offer meet all of AAIP’s specific requirements. If you need assistance with this, you can book a consultation with one of our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants. 

AAIP Entrepreneur Streams

Farm Stream

In order to be eligible under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program’s Farm Stream, applicants need to:

  • Have the intention to reside in Alberta;
  • Have farm management skills shown by:
    • Financial documentation of your existing farm business
    • Documentation of your education, training and work experience related to farming
    • Proposed business plan
    • Proof that a Canadian financial institution is willing to finance your proposed farming business
  • Make a minimum investment of $500,000 Canadian Dollars in a farming business in Alberta;
  • Have a minimum net worth of $500,000 Canadian Dollars or confirmation that you have access to a similar amount of funds from other sources;
  • Invest in a primary production farming business in Alberta.

Please note that if you are invited to submit an application to the AAIP, you will need to review the full program guidelines to make sure that you, your employer, and your job offer meet all of AAIP’s specific requirements. If you need assistance with this, you can book a consultation with one of our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants. 

Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

The AAIP Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is a points-based system which means that interested applicants will need to submit an Express of Interest (EOI) to the AAIP. They will then receive a score and wait to be chosen based on that score. Applicants need to meet the following requirements to apply under this program:

  • Intention to reside in Alberta
  • Have completed at least two years of full-time education, resulting in a degree or diploma from an eligible educational institution in Alberta
  • Have a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) issued by IRCC, which is valid at the time of your Expression of Interest (EOI) submission.
  • Have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7 for each English language skill or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) of 7 for each French language skill: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Official test results must be less than 2 years old at the time your EOI is submitted to AAIP
  • Must establish a new business or buy an existing business in Alberta with a minimum 34% ownership
  • This is a points-based system which means that interested applicants will need to submit an Express of Interest (EOI) to the AAIP. You will then be scored based on the following factors, and those with the higher score will be selected:
    • Business Management or Ownership Experience
    • Economic Benefit of your proposed business in Alberta
    • Your total business investment (there is no minimum mandatory)
    • Your language proficiency
    • Your education completed in Alberta
    • Your age (no age limit)
    • Your accompanying spouse/common-law partner’s characteristics
    • If you have a qualifying relative living in Alberta

The following businesses are not eligible under this program:

  • Any business in contravention of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations (for example, immigration-linked investment schemes or passive investment).
  • Businesses without a value-add economic component, including:
    • pay day loan, cheque cashing and related businesses
    • businesses trading in used goods
  • Businesses that would be considered passive investment and/or lack active management, including
    • property rental, investment and leasing activities
    • real estate development/brokerage, insurance brokerage or business brokerage
    • coin-operated businesses, including laundromats and car wash operations
  • Project based or seasonal businesses
  • Home-based businesses, including:
    • businesses that are not zoned for commercial or industrial operations
    • bed-and-breakfasts and lodging houses
  • Businesses that are part of a succession plan. This includes businesses that:
    • are owned/operated by a close relative of the candidate
    • were previously owned/operated by a current or former AAIP entrepreneur stream candidates/nominees within the past 4 years
    • have changed ownership in the past 3 years prior to IGEIS application
  • Businesses involved in producing, distributing or selling pornography or sexually explicit products or services, or providing sexually oriented services.
  • Any other type of business that by association would tend to bring the AAIP and the Government of Alberta into disrepute

Please note that if you are invited to submit an application to the AAIP, you will need to review the full program guidelines to make sure that you, your employer, and your job offer meet all of AAIP’s specific requirements. If you need assistance with this, you can book a consultation with one of our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants. 

 

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

The AAIP Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream is a points-based system which means that interested applicants will need to submit an Express of Interest (EOI) to the AAIP. They will then receive a score and wait to be chosen based on that score. Applicants need to meet the following requirements to apply under this program:

  • Minimum of 6 months full-time work experience that can be a combination of actively managing or owning the business or equivalent
  • Have completed a degree from a post-secondary institution outside of Canada within the last 10 years (must obtain an educational credential assessment to prove this)
  • A complete business plan with projected financials is required
  • Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 5 for each English language skill or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) of 5 for each French language skill: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Official test results must be less than two years old at the time of EOI submission.
  • Must establish a new business or buy an existing business in Alberta with a minimum 34% ownership
  • The mandatory minimum investment for an urban centre is $100,000 while the mandatory minimum investment for a regional area is $50,000
  • Must have a letter of recommendation from an AAIP-approved designated agency
  • You must meet the following financial requirements:
 Population size of community and funds required
Number of family membersLess than 1,0001,000 to 30,00030,000 to 99,999100,000 to 499,999500,000 and over
1$8,922$10,151$11,093$12,961$12,960
2$11,107$12,636$13,810$16,135$16,135
3$13,655$15,534$16,977$19,836$19,836
4$16,579$18,861$20,613$24,084$24,083
5$18,803$21,392$23,379$27,315$27,315
6$21,208$24,127$26,367$30,807$30,806
7$23,611$26,861$29,356$34,299$34,299

 

The following businesses are not eligible under this program:

  • Any business in contravention of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations (for example, immigration-linked investment schemes or passive investment).
  • Businesses without a value-add economic component, including:
    • pay day loan, cheque cashing and related businesses
    • businesses trading in used goods
  • Businesses that would be considered passive investment and/or lack active management, including
    • property rental, investment and leasing activities
    • real estate development/brokerage, insurance brokerage or business brokerage
    • coin-operated businesses, including laundromats and car wash operations
  • Project based or seasonal businesses
  • Home-based businesses, including:
    • businesses that are not zoned for commercial or industrial operations
    • bed-and-breakfasts and lodging houses
  • Businesses that are part of a succession plan. This includes businesses that:
    • are owned/operated by a close relative of the candidate
    • were previously owned/operated by a current or former AAIP entrepreneur stream candidates/nominees within the past 4 years
    • have changed ownership in the past 3 years prior to IGEIS application
  • Businesses involved in producing, distributing or selling pornography or sexually explicit products or services, or providing sexually oriented services.
  • Any other type of business that by association would tend to bring the AAIP and the Government of Alberta into disrepute.

Please note that if you are invited to submit an application to the AAIP, you will need to review the full program guidelines to make sure that you, your employer, and your job offer meet all of AAIP’s specific requirements. If you need assistance with this, you can book a consultation with one of our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants. 

Rural Entrepreneur Stream

The AAIP Rural Entrepreneur Stream is a points-based system which means that interested applicants will need to submit an Express of Interest (EOI) to the AAIP. They will then receive a score and wait to be chosen based on that score.

All applicants to the AAIP Rural Renewal Stream must have the intention to purchase or open a business in an eligible community. All communities who participate must have a population that is less than 100,000. At this time AAIP has not released a list of the communities that will be participating. As part of this program, all applicants would need to make an exploratory visit to the community they intend to move to.

Applicants need to meet the following requirements to apply under this program:

  • Minimum of 3 years of full-time work experience as an active business owner/manager or a minimum of 4 years of experience as a senior manager within the past 10 years;
  • Have completed a minimum of a high school equivalent;
  • Have a minimum net worth of $300,000;
  • Are willing and able to invest $200,000 into the business;
  • A complete business plan with projected financials is required
  • Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 4 for each English language skill or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) of 4 for each French language skill: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Official test results must be less than two years old at the time of EOI submission.
  • Must establish a new business with 51% ownership or buy an existing business in Alberta with 100% ownership;
  • If starting a new business in Alberta, the new business must create at least 1 full-time job for a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident;
  • Community Support Letter from a participating rural Alberta community.

The following factors may increase an applicant’s chances of being selected for the program:

  • They are purchasing an existing business;
  • They are between the ages of 21 and 49;
  • Their spouse/common-law partner have completed at least one year of full-time post-secondary education (Certificate, Associate Degree, Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree or higher)
  • Their spouse/common-law partner have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 4 for each English language skill or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) of 4 for each French language skill: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Official test results must be less than two years old at the time of EOI submission.
  • They have a father, step-father, mother, step-mother, child, step-child, sister, step-sister, brother, step-brother of candidate or spouse or common-law partner who is a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident who is a resident of Alberta.

The following businesses are not eligible under this program:

  • Any business in contravention of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations (for example, immigration-linked investment schemes or passive investment).
  • Businesses without a value-add economic component, including:
    • pay day loan, cheque cashing and related businesses
    • businesses trading in used goods
  • Businesses that would be considered passive investment and/or lack active management, including
    • property rental, investment and leasing activities
    • real estate development/brokerage, insurance brokerage or business brokerage
    • coin-operated businesses, including laundromats and car wash operations
  • Project based or seasonal businesses
  • Home-based businesses, including:
    • businesses that are not zoned for commercial or industrial operations
    • bed-and-breakfasts and lodging houses
  • Businesses that are part of a succession plan. This includes businesses that:
    • are owned/operated by a close relative of the candidate
    • were previously owned/operated by a current or former AAIP entrepreneur stream candidates/nominees within the past 4 years
    • have changed ownership in the past 3 years prior to IGEIS application
  • Businesses involved in producing, distributing or selling pornography or sexually explicit products or services, or providing sexually oriented services.
  • Any other type of business that by association would tend to bring the AAIP and the Government of Alberta into disrepute.

Please note that if you are invited to submit an application to the AAIP, you will need to review the full program guidelines to make sure that you, your employer, and your job offer meet all of AAIP’s specific requirements. If you need assistance with this, you can book a consultation with one of our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants. 

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