What is Alberta Advantage Immigrate Program (AAIP) – Express Entry Stream? Requirements & Process

In this AAIP – Alberta Express Entry Stream detailed article, I’ve covered the most important areas of the AAIP express entry stream.

• What is AAIP?
• AAIP Programs Streams
• Alberta Jobs Outlook 2024
• Minimum Requirements
• Specific requirements for each Express entry stream
• Alberta Express Entry process
• How AAIP works?
• How to apply for the Alberta express entry stream?

What is the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)?

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), formerly known as the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), was updated on February 16, 2022.

This program supports Alberta’s economic development by selecting candidates interested in permanent immigration to Alberta, who possess the skills and work experience beneficial to the province.

This program was designed to actively promote the province’s economic growth.

AAIP Programs Streams

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program introduces various pathways designed to strengthen Alberta’s labour force and promote economic development. There are two main streams:

• Workers Streams
• Entrepreneurs Streams

#1.Workers Streams

Now let’s talk about each stream, there are 4 streams that fall under ‘Workers Streams’.

I. Tourism and Hospitality Stream

II. Alberta Opportunity Stream (Paused)

III. Alberta Express Entry Stream

(Alberta express entry stream further has these 4 main pathways)

IV. Rural Renewal Stream

#2. Entrepreneurs Streams

If we look at ‘Entrepreneurs Stream’, the Alberta government also offers 4 different streams for this category:

I. Rural Entrepreneur Stream

II. Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

III. Farm Stream

IV. Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Alberta Express Entry stream operates, or processes files based on federal express entry profile information. Depending on the selection factors or specific pathway described above, Alberta may send a Notification of Interest letter or invite candidates to apply.

Alberta Occupational Outlook Forecast 2024

Alberta has released the occupational outlook forecast for 2024 and beyond for the 10 years between 2021 to 2030.

As per Alberta’s 10-year jobs forecast, let’s understand with this example:

For Alberta in 2025, the job scene looks like this: about 32,000 job openings, or 31%, will be due to business growth, while the larger chunk, 71,900 or 69%, will be from the need to fill positions vacated by others.

Here is the breakdown of Alberta’s occupational forecast for 2024:

• Total Job Openings (Net Change) 2021-2030 forecast: 103,600
  • Expansion Demand: 31,800
  • Replacement Demand: 71,900
• Total Job Seekers (Net Change) 2024: 105,800
• Cumulative Imbalance: 34,00

Source: Alberta Occupational Outlook 2024

AAIP Minimum Requirements (All Express Entry Streams)

Although every pathway has its own requirements, these are the 10 minimum requirements that make you eligible to receive a Notification of Interest letter:

#1. You must meet the minimum points requirement for express entry (67 points criteria) to qualify.

#2. You have an active Express Entry profile in the federal Express Entry pool.

#3. You meet the criteria of at least one of the federal immigration programs managed by Express Entry:

#4. Your primary occupation in your federal Express Entry profile is an occupation in demand, included as part of a specific express entry stream pathway, or is identified as an occupation connected to a provincial economic, sector or occupational priority.

#5. You intend to be able to live and work permanently in Alberta and have stated an interest in immigrating permanently to Alberta.

#6. You have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300.

#7. Your primary occupation is not on the Alberta Opportunity Stream Ineligible Occupations list.

#8. You are neither a refugee claimant nor subject to a federal appeal or removal process.

#9. You do not have an active nomination under any AAIP stream. An active nomination is one that has not expired or is eligible for an extension, or both, or a nomination that was used to apply for permanent residence but where a decision has not yet been made on the permanent residence application.

#10. You are not currently identified as ineligible to re-apply to the AAIP due to misrepresentation.

Requirements for Family Connection & Primary Occupation in Demand (Alberta Express Entry Stream)

I am highlighting the specific requirements for streams that fall under the Alberta express entry stream, apart from the above-mentioned Alberta express entry stream requirements, let’s talk about some specific requirements for ‘family connection & primary occupation in demand’:

• The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) might reach out to those in the Alberta Express Entry Stream with a letter if they meet certain criteria. This includes if the main applicant has a parent, child, or sibling living in Alberta who is at least 18 years old and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. However, in-laws don’t count for this. Also, it’s important that the applicant’s job is in demand in Alberta.

• Candidates with a job offer in Alberta from a recognized and established business might be prioritized. This job offer should be confirmable and from a business that’s well-established in Alberta.

Requirements for Dedicated Healthcare Pathway (Alberta Express Entry Stream)

Apart from the above-mentioned minimum requirement, dedicated healthcare pathway has some of their own requirements as below:

• You must possess a valid and verifiable job offer from an Alberta employer in the health sector. This offer should be based on valid Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) coverage and must be for an eligible healthcare professional.

• You must furnish verifiable evidence demonstrating that you meet the minimum requirements set by the relevant regulatory body. This ensures your eligibility to practice the eligible healthcare profession in Alberta.

Eligible healthcare professions under the ‘dedicated healthcare pathway’, and the applicable regulatory organization responsible for proof of ability to practice in Alberta, include:

• Registered Nurses (RNs) – College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)
• Physicians – College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA)
• Physiotherapist – College of Physiotherapist of Alberta (CPA)
• Physician Assistants – College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA)
• Psychologist – College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP)
• Nurse Practitioners (NPs) – College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)
• Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) – College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA)
• Occupational Therapist – Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (ACOT)
• Clinical Social Worker – Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW)

Requirements for Priority sectors: Agriculture, construction, tourism and hospitality (Alberta Express Entry Stream)

Priority sectors pathway has the same requirements as other pathways and requires a valid full-time job offer from a legitimate, established and verifiable Alberta employer in a specific field.

AAIP – Express Entry Stream: Process

Here are the 10 clear steps process for the AAIP express entry stream:

How does AAIP Select Profile from the pool for Express Entry Stream?

A general 4-step process on how AAIP selects profiles from the express entry pool:

How to Apply for (AAIP) General Express Entry?

Here are the details on how to apply for the AAIP express entry stream.

Step 1: For the General Express Entry candidates

Based on profiles in the pool and draws conducted, AAIP will send NOI. Let’s us talk about how to respond to the notification of interest letter.

If you receive a notification of interest letter from AAIP, you must:

Email a Copy of the Letter to the AAIP and should be Within 2 weeks of receiving it, the NOI should be in your federal Express Entry profile, send a copy of the letter to the (AAIP) at albertaexpressentry@gov.ab.ca

Provide your Express Entry profile number and include your email address for all Future AAIP Correspondence:

• Status Information: If applicable, include details about your current and past AAIP applications or nominations. Remember, IF you currently hold an active nomination under any AAIP stream or If you have a nomination that has not expired or has not been withdrawn, you are ineligible to apply or be nominated under this stream. (Remember that candidates are only eligible for one AAIP nomination certificate.)

• You are ineligible to apply if you have received a letter from a previous AAIP application indicating that you are not eligible to re-apply to the AAIP due to past misrepresentation.

After you send all the information, The AAIP will confirm your information. After confirmation, If you are selected to apply, the AAIP will send you an email requesting you to apply.

Step 2:  Receive a request from the AAIP to apply 

If you are selected to apply for the stream you applied for, the AAIP will send you an email with a link to the AAIP portal. 

Step 3:  Terms and conditions 

You will be given certain terms and conditions which you will need to agree upon.  

Step 4:  Review the Assessment Criteria 

Make sure that you meet all assessment criteria at the time of application and assessment. Failure to meet the criteria will result in the decline of your application. In your application, provide evidence demonstrating that you meet the assessment criteria. Kindly read all the minimum eligibility requirements and pathway-specific requirements mentioned above.  

Step 5:  Submit Your Application Online and Pay the Fee 

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AAIP) exclusively accepts Alberta Express Entry Stream applications online. Remember, applications sent via mail, email, or fax will not be considered. 

To ensure your online application is processed by the AAIP, follow these two essential steps: 

Step 6: Complete and Submit the Online Application

Fill out the application form online, provide accurate and complete information, and upload necessary and requested documents. When you are ready, you can submit the application online. A file number will be provided to you in the portal. 

Step 7: Pay the Application Fee

After submitting, the portal will ask you to make the necessary payment as specified in the application guidelines. An application fee of $500 which applies to all online applications.

Remember, Each AAIP application requires a separate application fee and the fee will not be refunded. You will need to pay your fee within 24 hours of submitting your complete application.

If you fail to pay your fee within 24 hours of submitting your application, your application will be cancelled.

What happens After you Apply?

After you apply, your application will be placed in a pool of Alberta Express Entry Stream applications.

While you wait for your application to be assessed and during the assessment process by an AAIP officer, it’s crucial to keep your application information up to date.

Ensure that the details in your application remain accurate and current at all times.

If any changes occur, such as starting a new career, gaining or losing a job offer, obtaining a new language test, getting married or divorced, or adopting a child, promptly update your profile.

An AAIP Officer will contact you by email or phone if more information or documents are needed to assess your application.

What if your application is nominated or what if you receive the nomination? 

Let’s talk about the Decision on your application.

A decision on your application will be sent to you by email. Approved applications result in the designation of Provincial Nominee status. Upon approval, you will receive a nomination certificate via the federal Express Entry portal.

Additionally, the AAIP will send you an email containing the nomination certificate, which you should retain for your records.  

If you do not accept the nomination within 30 days, your AAIP nomination will become invalid. In such a case, you will need to wait for reselection by the AAIP and then submit a new application. Once accepted, You will only have 60 days to apply for permanent residence.

Must Read:

What is Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway (AATP)? Requirements & How to apply?

What is the Processing time of application of each stream?

When an AAIP officer is assigned to an application and starts accessing your application then processing depends upon the following factors:

• application quality which checks the completeness of the application, weather eligibility criteria have been met and if any documents /information is outdated
• the date of the application was received
• the volume of the applications received
• the number of nomination certificates remaining for the year as described above
• strategic priorities, informed by labour market and economic development information

Please stay tuned for more AAIP guides.