The Alberta Provincial Nominee Program (APNP) is a Canadian immigration initiative that enables the province of Alberta to nominate individuals for permanent residency in Canada.

Alberta, situated in western Canada, is part of the Provincial Nominee Program. This program aims to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and other immigrants to the province.

To qualify for Alberta, applicants must fulfill the minimum criteria of the PNP, which necessitate specific skills and work experience in designated occupations for application.

What is an Alberta PNP?

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) allows the government to nominate applicants based on the economic requirements and labor market of Alberta.

It serves as a pathway for immigrants possessing skills and competencies who wish to establish themselves in Alberta, contributing significantly to the province's economic development.

The Alberta PNP is managed by the Government of Alberta in partnership with the National Immigration Department, IRCC - Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Candidates interested in immigrating to Canada through the AINP must follow a two-stage process.:

• Submit your application for Provincial Nomination through the Government of Alberta.

• If your nomination is successful, apply for the Canada PR Visa with the Federal Government.

Different AINP Immigration pathways

• Alberta Opportunity Stream

• Alberta Express Entry Stream

• Alberta Self-Employed Farmer Stream

Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS)

This stream provides a pathway for skilled workers currently employed in Alberta who wish to obtain Permanent residency.

Eligibility Criteria

At the time your application is postmarked and when the AINP evaluates the application, you must possess a valid work permit (not implied status or restoration status) for an eligible occupation. Valid work permits are contingent upon one of the following:

• a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

• a LMIA exemption for workers based on one of the following exemptions as defined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC):

• International trade agreements

• Workers transferred within a company

• International Experience Canada

• Mobilité Francophone

Alberta Express Entry Stream

With this stream, Alberta is permitted to nominate a group of qualified candidates from the IRCC Express Entry system. Individuals can only submit their applications through the Alberta Express Entry after obtaining a Notification of Interest (NOI).

Applicants may receive a Notification of Interest letter if they:

• Have an active Express Entry profile in the pool

• Have an expression of interest in immigrating permanently to Alberta

• Are employed in an occupation that contributes to Alberta’s economic development and diversification, and

• Minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 300.

• Meet the requirements of at least one of the federal immigration programs: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Federal Skilled Worker Program.

Alberta Self-Employed Farmer Stream

This stream enables self-employed individuals to establish their farms if they possess adequate funds for their development.

• You must demonstrate that you have farm management skills evidenced by:

• Financial documentation of your current farm business

• Documentation of your education, training, and work experience

• Proof that a Canadian financial institution is prepared to finance your proposed farming business.

• You must have sufficient financial resources to create a sustainable farming operation.

• You must be capable of investing a minimum of CDN $500,000 of equity in a primary production farming business in Alberta.

• Applications that present the best opportunity for growth in Alberta’s agri-food sector will be prioritized.

Benefits of the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program offers numerous advantages; here are some of them:

• The Alberta PNP establishes a straightforward route to permanent residency for skilled professionals, business owners, and agricultural workers.

• It presents a wide array of employment opportunities in sectors such as gas, oil, agriculture, and healthcare.

• Alberta boasts a high standard of living, featuring outstanding healthcare, an exceptional education system, and various public services.

• The province embraces multicultural communities and fosters a supportive atmosphere for applicants.

How to Apply to the Alberta PNP Program?

Before initiating the application process, it is crucial to ensure that all required documents are submitted before applying for the Alberta PNP Program. The details regarding the application process for the Alberta PNP Program are outlined below.

1. Creating an Online Account

Applicants must establish an online account with the Alberta PNP system.

2. Submission of Expression of Interest (EOI)

Following the creation of your account, the subsequent step is to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). The EOI includes the applicant's skills, work experience, and intentions in Alberta.

3. Wait for the Invitation

Should the candidate’s EOI be approved, they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), indicating that they are invited to proceed with the next steps of the application process.

4. Submission of Your Application

Upon receiving the ITA, applicants are required to submit a comprehensive application. This application must include all necessary information and documentation to demonstrate their eligibility.

5. Assessment of Application

After the application is submitted, it will be assessed by Alberta PNP officials. They will evaluate the applicant's eligibility along with the documents provided.

6. Receiving Nomination

Candidates will obtain a nomination from Alberta if their application is approved. This nomination is vital for the subsequent step in the immigration process.

7. Apply for Permanent Residency

At this stage, applicants can proceed to apply for Canadian permanent residency with the Alberta nomination through the federal government. This marks the final step in the application process for the Alberta PNP Program.

In-demand occupations in Alberta

• Managerial Occupations

• Applied and Natural Sciences and Associated Occupations

• Finance and Business Administration Occupations

• Health Occupations

• Sales and Service Occupations

• Occupations in Sport, Recreation, Culture, and Art

• Occupations exclusive to Manufacturing, Processing, and Utilities

• Equipment, Transport, Trades and Operators, and Associated Occupations

Document checklist for the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program

• Valid passport

• Fully completed and signed application form

• Work permit

• Proof of funds

• Birth certificate

• Address proof

• Marriage certificate (if married)

• Language skills results (For English – IELTS/CELPIP and for French – TCF/TEF)

• Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

• Employee reference letter (if needed)

• Employment letter

• Police clearance certificate

Cost of Applying for AINP

The fee for applying to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program is $0. Nevertheless, the applicant is required to pay specific fees as outlined below:

• Right of Permanent Residence Fee - CAD 500

• Processing Fee - CAD 500

• Dependent Child - CAD 225

Processing Time for Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program

The duration for processing applications under the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program varies based on the selected stream. However, the processing of visa applications for each stream generally takes around 1 to 6 months.

Summary

The Alberta PNP is also referred to as the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). It was formerly known as the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP).

This program serves as an economic immigration initiative that selects immigrants to attain permanent residency in Alberta.

Under this program, prospective immigrants will receive an invitation if they possess the appropriate combination of skills and work experience as dictated by the labor market in the provinces.

Immigrants must obtain a nomination from the AAIP Express Entry Stream following the invitation, and gain an additional benefit of 600 points in the CRS Score. This score will assist them in their transition to Canada as permanent residents.