Alberta Nominee Program is the fourth most populous province and one of Canada's three prairie provinces. In terms of economic performance, Alberta's per capita GDP surpassed that of the United States, Norway, and Switzerland, establishing it as one of the world's most robust economies. This economic strength is primarily driven by a thriving petroleum sector, with agriculture and technology contributing to a lesser extent.

The province of Alberta is actively seeking immigrants who possess the necessary skills and work experience to meet the demands of its local labor market, which is currently experiencing a shortage of qualified individuals. To address this skilled labor gap, the provincial government has established a special agreement with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), enabling them to nominate skilled immigrants for permanent residency in Alberta. This immigration initiative is referred to as the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP).

What is Alberta Provincial Nominee Program?

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) enables the province to focus on attracting immigrants who possess skills that are in high demand, thereby addressing the skilled labor shortages within Alberta. This initiative provides eligible candidates with the opportunity to obtain an Alberta Provincial Nomination Certificate, contingent upon their relevant experience and qualifications.

Getting a nomination through the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (Alberta PNP program 2020) can significantly accelerate the process of applying for permanent residency.

The Alberta Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) offers various categories for skilled and semi-skilled immigrants seeking to apply, with options available for those with or without employer support. The program is primarily divided into three key immigration streams:

Alberta Opportunity Stream: This stream caters to immigrants who fulfill the necessary requirements and are currently employed in Alberta in an eligible occupation, allowing them to apply for provincial nomination. The Alberta Opportunity Stream has flourished the Strategic Recruitment and Employer-Driven streams of the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP).

Alberta Express Entry Stream: This stream allows the province of Alberta to check qualified immigrants from the Federal Government’s Express Entry pool. It permits candidates registered in the Express Entry system to seek provincial nomination through the AINP.

Alberta Self-Employed Farmer Stream: This stream is designed for immigrants with farming experience and sufficient personal funds to acquire and develop a farm within the province, facilitating their application for permanent residency. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to reside in Alberta to establish and manage their agricultural business.

Alberta Nominee Program Process

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (Alberta PNP) application process is contingent upon the specific stream under which a candidate applies. Each stream within the AINP has different requirements. Below, we will examine the application process for each stream associated with the AINP.

Alberta Opportunity Stream

This stream offers a route to permanent residency in Canada for individuals currently employed in Alberta, as well as for international graduates who have completed their education at an accredited post-secondary institution in Alberta. The eligibility criteria for this stream include the following components:

i. Residency Status and Work Permit Requirements

  • Candidates must possess:
  • A valid temporary resident status in Canada that permits them to work.
  • A valid work permit (excluding implied status or restoration status) for an eligible occupation, which may be based on:
  • A Positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
  • An LMIA exemption for workers
  • An LMIA exception for holders of a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

ii. Language Proficiency

The minimum language proficiency requirement for this stream is a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 4. Proficiency can be demonstrated in either English or French. Candidates must provide evidence of their language skills across four areas: Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. 

iii. Educational Requirements

At the time of application, candidates must have completed at least a Canadian high school education or its equivalent from their home country. Any foreign educational credentials must be verified through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).

iv. Work Experience

Candidates must meet the following set of work experience criteria:-

  • A minimum of 12 months of work experience in their "present  occupation" in Alberta within the last 18 months.

  • A minimum of 24 months of work experience in their "present  occupation" either in Canada or overseas within the last 2.5 months.

v. Occupation Requirements

Candidates must make sure that their profession is eligible at the time of assessment by the AINP.

Express entry process of Alberta immigration nominee program (AINP)

The Express Entry process for the Alberta Immigration Nominee Program (AINP) facilitates the nomination of skilled immigrants by the province from the federal government's Express Entry system. Candidates interested in applying through the AINP must first receive an invitation from the province. To be considered for an invitation, candidates are required to demonstrate strong connections to Alberta or to possess the potential to contribute to the province's economic growth and diversification objectives. Additionally, international graduates from Canadian post-secondary institutions may also be invited to apply under this stream.

How can receive a Notification of Interest and be selected from the Express Entry pool for the AINP?

The province evaluates the credentials submitted by candidates to the AINP and may issue a Notification of Interest (NOI) to selected individuals. To receive an NOI letter, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Maintain an active Express Entry profile
  • Demonstrate a clear intention to immigrate to Alberta and establish permanent residency
  • Be employed in a profession that aligns with Alberta’s economic development and diversification goals
  • Get  a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300 points

Candidates who can fulfill one or more of the following adaptability factors may enhance their chances of receiving an NOI:

Possessing a job offer from an Alberta employer and/or relevant work experience

 Being a graduate of a Canadian post-secondary education

Having a relative residing in the province, such as a parent, child, brother, or sister

Upon approval of the candidate’s application, a nomination certificate will be issued through the IRCC Express Entry portal. It is essential for the candidate to accept the nomination within 30 days of issuance to obtain an Invitation to Apply (ITA). 

After receiving an ITA, the candidate is allotted 60 days to submit their application for a permanent residence visa to the IRCC.

Processing time of AINP

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP PNP program 2022) is authorized to issue a maximum of 6,000 nominations. To date, a total of 2,251 nominations have been granted. Applicants are not required to pay any fees for the provincial nomination application under the AINP, which means there are no Alberta PNP application fees. However, they are responsible for the following charges:

  • Processing Fee – $550 CAD
  • Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) – $490 CAD
  • Fee for including a dependent child – $150 CAD.

Conclusion

Alberta Nominee Program is a part of provincial nominee program through which you can immigrate to Canada. It involves several steps and pathway through which you can immigrate.

To begin your journey, get in touch with us!