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Alberta

Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program

The AINP is designed to support Alberta's economic growth by attracting work-ready immigrants to the province.

The AINP is an immigration program operated by the Government of Alberta’s Ministry of Employment and Immigration in conjunction with the Government of Canada’s department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

Individuals nominated by the Government of Alberta, together with their spouse/common-law partner and dependent children, can apply for a permanent resident visa through CIC as a Provincial Nominee. CIC makes final decisions on all Provincial Nominee permanent resident applications.

The AINP is a program for permanent residence. AINP nominations will not be issued for the purpose of obtaining temporary work permit extensions. See the FAQ section for more information.

Alberta INP like all other Canadian PNP programs are subject to frequent changes - for up to date information on all rules, information and application forms visit Alberta INP web site.


AINP Streams and Categories


1) Employer-Driven Stream

The AINP Employer-Driven Stream is for:

  • Alberta Employers who want to retain a foreign worker (Candidate) on a permanent, full-time basis where there is a shortage of Albertans/Canadians to fill the position.
  • Candidates (foreign workers) with a permanent, full-time job offer from an Alberta Employer who want to live and work in Alberta permanently.
In this stream, the Alberta Employer must make a permanent, full-time job offer to a Candidate under one of three categories:

Skilled Worker, International Graduate Category and Semi-Skilled Worker Category

Who is not eligible?

The following are NOT eligible under the AINP Employer Driven Stream:

  • Supervisors, foremen and tradespeople, working in an occupation designated as a Compulsory or Optional Trade in Alberta (including Chefs, Cooks, and Line Cooks) are no longer eligible to apply under the Employer-Driven Stream and must apply under the Strategic Recruitment Stream, Compulsory and Optional Trades Category
  • Clergy, Elementary and Secondary School Teachers, Professional Athletes and Dental Laboratory Bench Workers
  • Semi-Skilled Workers NOT in an eligible AINP industry or occupation
  • Refugee claimants or Live-in Caregivers currently living in Canada
  • Temporary Foreign Workers working and residing in a province other than Alberta.

Skilled Worker criteria (Take the Skilled Worker Category self-assessment)

For Candidates who have a permanent, full-time job offer from their Alberta Employer in a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A, B).

Skilled Worker Category Criteria (includes but is not limited to):

Alberta Employer criteria

As an Alberta Employer, you must:

  • Be incorporated or registered by or under an act of the legislature of a province or the Parliament of Canada and operating as a business that has an established production capability, plant or place of business in Alberta.
  • Provide a job offer to the Candidate for permanent, full-time employment in a skilled occupation. A skilled occupation is an occupation that falls under one of the following skill levels under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system:
    • NOC 0: Includes management occupations that usually require a university degree (bachelor's, master's or doctorate) or a professional designation.
    • NOC A: Includes occupations that usually require university education.
    • NOC B: Includes occupations that usually require college education.
  • Provide a job offer to the Candidate that meets Alberta’s employment and wage standards.
  • Provide a job offer to the Candidate that does not conflict with existing collective bargaining agreements. The AINP will not approve an application if there is a labour dispute in progress that may involve, directly or indirectly, either the employer or the candidate.
  • Provide proof of your authorization to hire a foreign worker by showing either the Labour Market Opinion (LMO), or evidence of the LMO exemption.
    • If there is an LMO in place for the Candidate, you must show that you are following all the conditions of the LMO (including salary).
    • If the Candidate is exempt from an LMO, you must show you are offering wages and benefits to the Candidate that meet industry standards. Visit the ALIS website for wage and benefit standards in Alberta by occupation.
  • Clearly show the need for the position and that you have made a significant effort to hire a Canadian or permanent resident of Canada for the position only if the Candidate is not currently working in Alberta (is abroad).
  • Meet additional criteria if the Candidate’s occupation is in one of the following:

Candidate criteria

As a Candidate, you must:

Supervisors, foremen, and tradespeople working in occupations designated as a Compulsory or Optional Trade in Alberta (including Chefs, Cooks, and Line Cooks) are no longer eligible to apply under the Employer-Driven Stream and must apply under the Strategic Recruitment Stream, Compulsory and Optional Trades Category.

Meeting the criteria listed above does not guarantee a nomination or permanent residence.

How to apply


International Graduate criteria (Take the International Graduate Category self-assessment)
For Candidates who have recently graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution and have a permanent, full-time job offer from their Alberta Employer in a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A, B).

International Graduate Category criteria (includes but is not limited to):

Alberta Employer criteria

As an Alberta Employer, you must:

  • Be incorporated or registered by or under an act of the legislature of a province or the Parliament of Canada and operating as a business that has an established production capability, plant or place of business in Alberta.
  • Provide a job offer to the Candidate for permanent, full-time employment in a skilled occupation. A skilled occupation is an occupation that falls under one of the following skill levels under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system:
    • NOC 0: Includes management occupations that usually require a university degree (bachelor's, master's or doctorate) or a professional designation.
    • NOC A: Includes occupations that usually require university education.
    • NOC B: Includes occupations that usually require college education.
  • Provide a job offer to the Candidate that meets Alberta’s employment and wage standards.
  • Provide a job offer to the Candidate that does not conflict with existing collective bargaining agreements. The AINP will not approve an application if there is a labour dispute in progress that may involve, directly or indirectly, either the employer or the candidate.
  •  Show you are offering wages and benefits to the Candiate that meet industry standards.
    • Visit the ALIS website for wage and benefit standards in Alberta by occupation.

Candidate criteria

As a Candidate, you must:

  • Clearly show in the application that you are able to and intend to live permanently in Alberta.
  • Have obtained a diploma, degree, or have completed a graduate level program from a publicly funded community college, trade/technical school or university in Alberta or Canada, or at a private institution in Alberta authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees.
  • Have graduated from a Canadian educational program that was a minimum of two years in length at the undergraduate level or a minimum of one year at the graduate level.
  • Have a current and valid post-graduation work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
  • Show that your job with your Alberta Employer is related to your field of study in Alberta or Canada.
  • Have six months of full-time work experience with the same Alberta Employer on a post-graduation work permit before you apply with the Alberta Employer to the AINP.

Supervisors, foremen and tradespeople, working in an occupation designated as a Compulsory or Optional Trade in Alberta (including Chefs, Cooks, and Line Cooks) are no longer eligible to apply under the Employer-Driven Stream and must apply under the Strategic Recruitment Stream, Compulsory and Optional Trades Category.

Meeting the criteria listed above does not guarantee a nomination or permanent residence.

How to apply


Semi-Skilled Worker criteria
For Candidates who have a permanent, full-time job offer from an Alberta Employer in a semi-skilled occupation (NOC C or D) that is eligible under the AINP. Only certain occupations are eligible.

Semi-Skilled Worker Category Criteria (includes but is not limited to):

Alberta Employer criteria

As an Alberta Employer in the Semi-Skilled Worker Category, you must:

  • Be incorporated or registered by or under an act of the legislature of a province or the Parliament of Canada and operating as a business that has an established production capability, plant or place of business in Alberta.
  • Be operating in an industry that is eligible under the AINP Semi-Skilled Worker Category.
  • Provide a job offer to the Candidate for permanent, full-time employment in an eligible AINP semi-skilled occupation.

Eligible Industries for Semi-Skilled Workers Eligible Occupations for Semi-Skilled Workers
 Food and Beverage Processing Industry • Food and Beverage Production Worker (NOC 9617)
• Bakery Production Worker (NOC 9617)
• Food and Beverage Processing Equipment Cleaner (NOC 9617)
• Industrial Butchers and Meat Cutters (NOC 9462)
• Poultry Production Workers (NOC 9462)
 Hotel and Lodging Industry • Food and Beverage Servers (NOC 6453)
• Room Attendants (NOC 6661)
• Front Desk Agent/Clerk (NOC 6435)
 Manufacturing Industry • Eligible AINP Manufacturing Occupations (PDF)
 Long-Haul Trucking Industry • Long-Haul Truck Driver (NOC 7411)
 Foodservices Industry (pilot project) • Food and Beverage Servers (NOC 6453)
• Food Counter Attendants (NOC 6641)
• Kitchen Helpers (NOC 6641)

Candidate criteria

As a Candidate in the Semi-Skilled Worker Category, you must:

Meeting the criteria listed above does not guarantee a nomination or permanent residence.

How to apply

2) Strategic Recruitment Stream

The Strategic Recruitment Stream is for occupations that are in demand in Alberta. This stream may be adjusted according to changes in Alberta’s labour market.

There are two categories in this stream under which the AINP is currently (2011) accepting applications.

Compulsory and optional trades criteria

This criteria applies to all supervisors, foremen and tradespeople working in a compulsory or optional trade in Alberta.

The criteria for the Compulsory and Optional Trades Category (includes but is not limited to):

  • You must intend to and be able to live and work permanently in Alberta.
  • You must have an Alberta Qualification Certificate in a compulsory or optional trade. If you have met all the requirements for the Alberta Qualification Certificate Program, Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) will issue you an Alberta Qualification Certificate in your respective trade. After you receive your trade certificate, AIT will send you a letter inviting you to apply to the AINP Strategic Recruitment Stream.  
  • You must have an AINP invitation letter from AIT. If you do not have an AINP invitation letter from AIT, your application will be declined.
  • You must be residing in Alberta at the time of application and show that you have a valid work permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) in the trade in which you are certified.
  • You must show, at the time of application, that you are either currently working in your trade for an Alberta Employer or have previously worked in your trade with an Alberta Employer for a minimum of six months in the past two years.

If you meet these criteria, make sure you review the How to Apply section before you submit your application. If your application does not meet AINP criteria, it will be declined. If your application is not complete, it will be returned to you.

Meeting the criteria listed above does not guarantee a nomination or permanent residence.

Engineering occupations criteria

The criteria for the Engineering Occupations Category (includes but is not limited to):

  • You must be currently residing in Alberta.
  • You must intend to and be able to live permanently in Alberta.
  • You must provide evidence of related education/training and experience as an engineer, designer or drafter.
  • You must be currently working or have worked within the last two years in Alberta either directly or on contract for one of the following:
    • A recognized, reputable and well-established Alberta Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) Company; and/or
    • An Alberta company that is a member of the Consulting Engineers of Alberta.
  • Your occupation in Alberta must be on the AINP Strategic Recruitment Stream – Engineering Occupations List.
  • If you have engineering credentials and you are working in an occupation under NOC 2131, 2132, 2133, 2134, 2141, 2143, 2144, or 2145, you must provide a “Letter of No Objection” from the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA) or show that you are registered with APEGGA as a foreign licensee.
  • If you are working in an occupation under NOC 2231, 2232, 2241 or 2253 you do not require a “Letter of No Objection” from APEGGA.

If you meet these criteria, make sure you review the How to Apply section before you submit your application. If your application does not meet AINP criteria, it will be declined. If your application is not complete, it will be returned to you.

Meeting the criteria listed above does not guarantee a nomination or permanent residence.


3) Family Stream
The AINP is currently ( August 2011) not accepting applications under the AINP Family Stream. Applications postmarked after August 23, 2010 will be returned to the Alberta Relative. Applications postmarked on or before August 23, 2010 that meet all program criteria will be accepted for processing and will be processed according to AINP Processing Times and Family Stream criteria.

Family Stream Candidate criteria

The criteria below will be used to assess applications submitted on or before August 23, 2010.

Criteria for Candidates (includes but is not limited to):

As a Candidate, you must:

  • Be able to provide proof that you are the parent, child, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew of the Alberta Relative (by birth or adoption).
    You are not eligible to apply under the Family Stream if you are currently in Canada and are a:
    • Live-in caregiver
    • Refugee claimant
  • Show that you and your Spouse/Common-law partner (if applicable) are between the ages of 21 and 45 at time of application.
  • Show that you and your Spouse/Common-law partner (if applicable) have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) minimum overall band  score of 4.0, or a minimum level of 3.0 (361-540) on the Test d’evaluation de français (TEF).
    • If you and your Spouse/Common-law partner (if applicable) reside in one of the countries on the AINP Countries list, do not submit an IELTS or TEF assessment.
    • If you and your Spouse/Common-law partner (if applicable) have a minimum of a baccalaureate (bachelor’s degree) at one of the institutions on the AINP Educations Institutions list, do not submit an IELTS or TEF assessment.
    • The AINP reserves the right to request that you or your Spouse/Common-law partner (if applicable) take an IELTS or TEF assessment.
  • Show that you or your Spouse/Common-law partner (if applicable) meet minimum criteria for education and related work experience. Either you or your Spouse/Common-law partner must meet both the education and work experience criteria.
  • You or your Spouse/Common-law partner (if applicable) must be able to show completion of a post-secondary diploma or degree program of at least two (2) years in duration.
  • You or your Spouse/Common-law partner (if applicable) must show one of the following:
        • A minimum of three years of full-time work experience related to the post-secondary education within the past four years
        • A minimum of three years of full-time post-secondary school within the past four years
        • A combination of three years of full-time work experience and full-time post-secondary school within the past four years. The education and work experience must be related (e.g. an Engineering degree and working as an Engineer).

  • Show that you or your Spouse/Common-law partner (if applicable) have the following accessible funds in a bank or financial institution:
      • At least CAD $10,000 for the Candidate 
      • CAD $2,000 for each of the Candidate’s dependants (spouse or common-law partner and child)
  Your Alberta Relative cannot show funds on your behalf.

Meeting the criteria listed above does not guarantee a nomination or permanent residence.

How to Apply

Family Stream Alberta Relative criteria

The criteria below will be used to assess applications submitted on or before August 23, 2010.

Criteria for Alberta Relative (includes but is not limited to):

As an Alberta Relative, you must:

  • Complete the AINP Family Stream – Affidavit of Support (AINP 006A).

  • Be at least 21 years of age or older at the time of application. 

  • Be able to show proof that you are the parent, child, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew of the Candidate (by birth or adoption).

  • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada and must show you have been a citizen or permanent resident for at least two years.

  • Currently be a resident of Alberta and must be able to show that you have been residing in Alberta for the past two years.

  • Show employment, private pension or other regular source of income for the past 12 months OR a minimum of CAD $15,000 in available assets. Jewelry, cars, real estate or other non-liquid assets are not considered. This income cannot include government transfer payments (e.g. Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan, etc.). 

  • Show a detailed Settlement Plan for the Candidate and the Candidate’s accompanying family members (if applicable).
    • A Settlement Plan describes how you the Alberta Relative will help the Candidate and any accompanying family members (if applicable) with shelter, food, clothing, finding work in their field and integrating into the community. The Settlement Plan questions can be found in the AINP Family Stream – Affidavit of Support.

As an Alberta Relative, you cannot help another family member immigrate through the AINP Family Stream until your first commitment of support to the Candidate is fulfilled. The commitment of support is defined as two years from the date the Candidate became a permanent resident of Canada.
 
There can only be one commitment of support per household at a time under the AINP Family Stream. A second commitment of support from a household will be considered when the first commitment has been fulfilled.

A second application will not be considered if:

  • You or anyone in your household has already submitted an application under the AINP Family Stream.
  • A decision has not yet been made on an application.
  • A commitment of support is still in effect.

Meeting the criteria listed above does not guarantee a nomination or permanent residence.


4) Self-Employed Farmer Stream

Are you a farm owner/operator with proven management skills and the financial resources to develop a sustainable growth-oriented primary production farming business in Alberta, Canada?

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) can nominate individual farm owner/operators who want to immigrate, purchase and manage a farming business in Alberta.

The AINP works closely with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development to assess the eligibility of applicants in this category.

Self-Employed Farmer Stream criteria

Self-Employed Farmer Stream criteria (includes but is not limited to):

  • You must prove that you have farm management skills shown by:
    • Financial documentation of your existing farm business
    • Documentation of your education, training and work experience
    • Proposed business plan for the farming enterprise you are considering in Alberta
    • Proof that a Canadian financial institution is willing to finance your proposed farming business.

  • You must have sufficient financial resources to develop a sustainable farming operation.
    • You must be able to invest a minimum of CDN $500,000 of equity in a primary production farming business in Alberta.
    • You must provide documents that demonstrates you have a minimum net worth of CDN $500,000 or confirmation that you have access to a similar amount of funds from other sources.
    • The CDN $500,000 is the minimum amount. You may be required to show you have the ability to invest more than the minimum.

  • You must invest in a primary production farming business in Alberta.
    • You will have to document your investment intentions in your proposed business plan.
    • Applications representing the best opportunity for growth relevant to Alberta's agri-food targets will be given priority.

Meeting the criteria listed above does not guarantee a nomination or permanent residence.

If you have any questions about this stream, contact:

Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Toll Free in Alberta: 310-FARM (310-3276) or 1-866-882-7677
Telephone: (Canada 001) (403) 742-7901
E-mail: farm.ainp@gov.ab.ca




Application forms
AINP processing times

Frequently Asked Questions (employer)
Frequently Asked Questions (candidate)
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