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Last Updated 29 September 2026

Why Alberta Advantage Immigration Program?

Employer- and Express Entry-linked pathway to Canadian PR
Applications run through a scored Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI) system
Family connection can be claimed as a scoring factor, but no dedicated family-connection draws currently exist (discontinued March 17, 2025)
A provincial nomination adds a major CRS boost in Express Entry - Great scope for career growth

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is Alberta's provincial nominee program for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and farmers seeking Canadian permanent residence. Applications go through a scored Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI) system, introduced September 30, 2024. A provincial nomination adds a significant CRS boost in Express Entry. Source: alberta.ca/aaip-updates.

About Canadian Prairie Province - Alberta

Alberta is one of the three Canadian Prairie Provinces as it shares its northern boundary with the Northwest Territories, and the US state of Montana lies to the south of the province. The Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and British Columbia make the other two neighbors, towards the east and the west respectively.

"Edmonton is the capital city of the Canadian province of Alberta."

The prominent cities in Alberta include:

Calgary
Red Deer
St. Albert
Airdrie
Lethbridge
Leduc
Grande Prairie

Over the years, Alberta has become a popular destination for immigrants who wish to get Canadian permanent residence through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and intend to settle within Alberta.

Alberta immigration is a much sought-after provincial immigration program for immigrants that intend to settle down in Canada. The province offers a wide range in terms of employment opportunities for new immigrants.

Important Announcement: Alberta to accept Expressions of Interest from foreign workers

Since September 30, 2024, workers interested in receiving an Invitation to Apply for any AAIP worker stream must submit a Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI). Effective April 7, 2026, a fee of CAD $135 applies to submit a WEOI.

New EOI system to be launched from September 30, 2024!

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is set to launch a new Expression of Interest (EOI) system from September 30, 2024. The province will be placing candidates on a selection pool and will be inviting them on the basis o f their rankings and specific labour market demands.

Read more…

How the AAIP WEOI System Works

Since September 30, 2024, AAIP uses a Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI) system to select applicants for most worker streams.

Step 1: Submit a WEOI (CAD $135 fee, effective April 7, 2026) through the AAIP online portal. Your profile is scored on factors including an Alberta job offer, your Express Entry profile score, connection to Alberta, education, language proficiency, and wages/hours of work (added to scoring effective February 25, 2026).

Step 2: AAIP holds regular invitation rounds drawing from the WEOI pool. Highest-scoring profiles receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Step 3: If invited, you submit a full application within a specific window (application fee: CAD $1,500).

Step 4: If approved, you receive a provincial nomination.

Step 5: With a nomination, you apply to IRCC for Canadian PR — a nomination adds a substantial CRS boost, virtually guaranteeing an ITA in the next Express Entry draw.

AAIP Immigration Levels Plan 2023-25

Canada's "energy province,” Alberta plans to increase immigration numbers in 2023-2025 under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program.

Year	Nominations
2023	9,750
2024	10,140
2025	10,849

Additionally, such prospective AAIP nominees must be able to sponsor their families after relocating to Alberta. AAIP Canada is run by the provincial government of Alberta and the federal government of Canada. Those successful in securing a nomination through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program might apply for Canadian permanent resident status, together with their spouse and dependent children.

Canadian permanent residence via the AAIP route involves a 2-step process. While the first part of the process is securing a nomination through the provincial government, the second part involves applying to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada [IRCC] for Canada PR. The final decision on granting permanent residence lies with IRCC.

AAIP Streams

There are six streams under the Alberta provincial nominee program, which include:

Alberta Opportunity Stream
Alberta Express Entry Stream
Tourism and Hospitality Stream
Accelerated Tech Pathway
Dedicated Health Care Pathway
Rural Renewal Stream
Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
Farm Stream
Rural Entrepreneur Stream

Important announcement

Target met for the Alberta Opportunity Stream and Tourism and Hospitality Stream

The application period opens on June 11th, 2024, and will remain open until the caps are reached. The next cap will open on July 9th, 2024.

Applications are submitted for Alberta under the following streams if the client is living and working in Alberta with a valid job offer:

Alberta Opportunity Stream
Rural Renewal Stream
Accelerated Tech Pathway
Tourism and Hospitality Stream

Note: Only 430 applications will be accepted under the Alberta Opportunity Stream and 30 applications for the Accelerated Tech Pathway.

Eligibility criteria

Job offer for full-time and/or permanent employment from an Alberta employer.
Basic work experience.
Required scores in a language proficiency test.
An intention of living and working in Alberta.
Legitimate work permit and other associated documents.
Occupation classified under NOC 2021 TEER 0 (management occupations — e.g., senior managers, executives), TEER 1 (professional occupations requiring a university degree — e.g., engineers, IT professionals, accountants), or TEER 2 (technical occupations requiring a college diploma or apprenticeship — e.g., electricians, nurses, technicians)..
Proof of legal residence in their home country.
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIS) confirmation letter.

Current AAIP Fees

Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI) submission: CAD $135 (effective April 7, 2026)

Worker Stream Application (if invited): CAD $1,500 (effective April 1, 2025)

IRCC federal PR application after nomination: approximately CAD $1,525 per principal applicant, plus fees for accompanying family members

Steps to Apply

STEP 1: Check your eligibility through Y-Axis Canada Immigration Points Calculator.

STEP 2: Review the AAIP selection criteria

STEP 3: Arrange the checklist of requirements

STEP 4: Apply for AAIP

STEP 5: Move to Alberta, Canada

Latest Alberta PNP Draws

Month	No. of Draws	Total No. of Invitations
September	9	1,111
August	7	1,134
July	8	1,259
June	14	1,829
May	4	1,051
April	9	974
March	10	1,725
February	10	2,305
January	3	254

How can Y-Axis Help You?

Y-Axis, the world’s best overseas immigration consultancy, provides unbiased immigration services for every client based on their interests and requirements.

The impeccable services of Y-Axis include the following:

Free eligibility check through Canada Immigration Points Calculator
Expert guidance/counseling for Canada Immigration
Coaching services: Expert CELPIP coaching, IELTS proficiency Coaching
Free career counseling; book your slot today
Complete guidance for Canada PR visa
Resume Marketing services to find jobs in Alberta

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AAIP?

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is Alberta's provincial nominee program, run jointly with the federal government under Canada's Provincial Nominee Program framework. It replaced the former Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) in 2021. A successful AAIP nomination lets candidates apply to IRCC for Canadian permanent residence, alongside their spouse and dependent children. Source: Government of Alberta.

How does the AAIP Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI) system work?

Since September 30, 2024, most AAIP worker streams select candidates through a scored Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI) system. You submit a WEOI, which is scored on factors like your job offer, Express Entry score, and connection to Alberta. AAIP then holds regular invitation rounds, inviting the highest-scoring profiles to apply for a full nomination.

What is the current fee to submit a Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI)?

Effective April 7, 2026, a fee of CAD $135 applies to submit a WEOI to the AAIP. The WEOI remains valid for one year from submission. This fee was introduced as part of AAIP's move to a managed, scored EOI pool. Source: Government of Alberta.

What is the current AAIP application fee?

The worker stream application fee, payable if you receive an Invitation to Apply, is CAD $1,500, effective April 1, 2025. This is separate from the WEOI submission fee and is non-refundable. Entrepreneur stream fees differ. Source: Government of Alberta.

What are all the current AAIP-related fees, from start to Canadian PR?

Applicants typically pay a CAD $135 WEOI submission fee, a CAD $1,500 worker stream application fee if invited, and, after nomination, IRCC federal PR fees of roughly CAD $1,525 per principal applicant plus a Right of Permanent Residence Fee and fees for accompanying family members. Confirm current totals at alberta.ca and canada.ca before budgeting.

What is the current AAIP nomination allocation?

Alberta's current AAIP allocation is approximately 6,403 nominations, though this figure is periodically revised through federal-provincial agreement. Always check alberta.ca/aaip-updates for the latest confirmed number before making application plans.

What are the main streams under the AAIP?

AAIP offers several streams, including the Alberta Opportunity Stream, Alberta Express Entry Stream, Tourism and Hospitality Stream, Accelerated Tech Pathway, Dedicated Health Care Pathway, Rural Renewal Stream, Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, Farm Stream, and Rural Entrepreneur Stream. Eligibility and availability vary by stream, so confirm current criteria at alberta.ca.

What is the AAIP Dedicated Health Care Pathway?

This pathway targets licensed healthcare workers with an eligible Alberta job offer, including registered nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals. It runs through the WEOI scoring system like other worker streams. Verify current eligible occupations at alberta.ca/aaip-application-streams.

What is the AAIP Accelerated Tech Pathway?

This pathway is designed for technology professionals with a qualifying Alberta job offer in the tech sector, offering a faster route through the WEOI-based selection process. Eligibility criteria and occupation lists should be confirmed at alberta.ca before applying.

What is the AAIP Tourism and Hospitality Stream?

This stream targets workers employed in Alberta's tourism and hospitality sector. Like other worker streams, it now operates through the WEOI system rather than a separate monthly-intake process. Confirm current eligible roles at alberta.ca/aaip-application-streams.

Does AAIP still have a dedicated family-connection pathway?

No. As of March 17, 2025, AAIP no longer issues invitations through a dedicated family-connection pathway. A connection to Alberta, including family ties, can still be claimed as one factor in WEOI scoring, but there is no separate draw reserved for it.

What NOC classification does AAIP use for eligible occupations?

AAIP uses Canada's NOC 2021 TEER framework, mandatory since November 2022. Eligible worker-stream occupations generally fall under TEER 0 (management), TEER 1 (professional roles requiring a degree), or TEER 2 (technical roles requiring a diploma or apprenticeship). Look up your occupation's TEER category at canada.ca.

What language test scores do I need for the AAIP?

Minimum language requirements vary by stream, typically in the CLB 5–7 range. Accepted tests generally include IELTS, CELPIP, and PTE Core. Always confirm the exact requirement for your specific stream and occupation before testing.

Do I need a job offer to apply through the AAIP Express Entry Stream?

The AAIP Express Entry Stream targets candidates already in the federal Express Entry pool whose skills match Alberta's labour market priorities; a job offer can strengthen a profile but isn't always mandatory for this stream, unlike most other AAIP worker streams. Confirm current requirements at alberta.ca.

How much does an AAIP nomination boost my Express Entry score?

A successful AAIP nomination adds a substantial number of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points to a candidate's Express Entry profile — enough that it virtually guarantees an Invitation to Apply for Canadian PR in the next federal draw. Confirm the exact current point value at canada.ca/express-entry.

How is the AAIP different from other provincial nominee programs like Manitoba's or Ontario's?

All three are Provincial Nominee Programs feeding into Canadian PR, but each sets its own streams, scoring criteria, and annual nomination allocation. AAIP emphasises a scored WEOI pool tied to Alberta job offers and Express Entry profiles, while other provinces weight factors like local ties or specific labour shortages differently. Compare current allocations and criteria directly on each province's official immigration page.

What documents do I need for an AAIP application?

Common requirements include a valid job offer (for most streams), proof of relevant work experience, language test results, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for non-Canadian degrees, and a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) confirmation letter where applicable. Exact checklists vary by stream.

Can I bring my family if I get an AAIP nomination?

Yes. Successful AAIP nominees can generally include their spouse and dependent children in their application to IRCC for Canadian permanent residence, subject to standard federal eligibility rules for accompanying family members.

What happens after I receive an AAIP nomination?

Once nominated, you apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Canadian permanent residence. This is the second and final stage of the process — the AAIP nomination itself does not grant PR; final approval rests with IRCC.

Where can I check for the latest AAIP program changes?

AAIP updates its programme details, fees, and streams more frequently than most other provincial nominee programs. The Government of Alberta publishes all changes with dates at alberta.ca/aaip-updates — check this page directly for the most current information before applying.