The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is an economic immigration program that nominates people for permanent residence in Alberta. Nominees must have skills to fill job shortages or be planning to buy or start a business in Alberta and be able to provide for their families.

If you are nominated through the program, you may apply for permanent residence status together with your spouse or common-law partner, and dependent children.

Programs for Workers

The AAIP has 3 streams for foreign workers who are living and working in Alberta, or plan to live and work here.

01. Alberta Opportunity Stream

The Alberta Opportunity Stream is for temporary foreign workers who are already working full-time in Alberta and have a full-time job offer from an Alberta employer in an eligible occupation. Candidates must have a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or hold one of the accepted LMIA exemption work permits. Candidates must also meet other minimum eligibility criteria for residency and work permit type, occupation, language, education, Alberta job offer and work experience.

02. Alberta Express Entry Stream

Candidates who have demonstrated strong ties to Alberta or who can help support the government’s economic development and diversification priorities may be asked to submit an application.

International graduates from Canadian post-secondary institutions may also be asked to apply under this stream.

Accelerated Tech Pathway

Under the Alberta Express Entry Stream, candidates may be selected for expedited processing if they are currently working for, or have a job offer with, an Alberta-based tech industry employer in an eligible tech occupation. Refer to the list of eligible Accelerated Tech Pathway occupations. Accelerated Tech Pathway, Eligible National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes, February 2022 (alberta.ca)

03. Rural Renewal Stream

The Rural Renewal Stream endeavours to support and retain newcomers to rural Alberta through a community-driven approach that supports local economic development needs and contributes to the growth of the community. The Rural Renewal Stream empowers rural communities to recruit and retain foreign nationals to live, work and settle in their communities.

Programs for Entrepreneurs

The AAIP has 4 streams for entrepreneurs who plan to live in Alberta and buy or start a business in the province:

01. Rural Entrepreneur Stream

The Rural Entrepreneur Stream allows Alberta to nominate qualified entrepreneurs who want to start a new or buy an existing business in a rural Alberta community.

Entrepreneurs are expected to use their skills and initiative to anticipate needs and create jobs for Albertans. 

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) defines rural Alberta communities as any community with a population of less than 100,000. In addition, the community must be outside of the Calgary and Edmonton Metropolitan Area.

02. Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

International graduates of approved Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to start a business or buy an existing business can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). 

Applicants must have completed a minimum two-year program of studies at an approved educational institution in Alberta, have a post grad work permit at the time of submission of the Expression of Interest, and have good English. They must be willing to establish a new business or buy an existing qualified business and retain a minimum 34% interest in the business. The business does not have to be established until the Alberta government approves the business plan. Applicants must be between the ages of 21 and 49 years old.

03. Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is an economic immigration program that nominates qualified foreign educated graduates from outside Canada for permanent residence upon launching start-up enterprises and innovative businesses in Alberta. The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is a collaboration between the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) and approved designated agencies.

Foreign graduates who are interested in applying under the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream must work with a designated agency. The designated agency will issue a letter of recommendation if it deems that the foreign graduate meets the AAIP requirements. The foreign graduate must submit the letter of recommendation with their Expression of Interest (EOI) through the AAIP Portal.

The designated agency will review business plans and prepare a report based on the foreign graduate’s ability to demonstrate market need or demand, the potential for successful market entry in the short-term to medium-term, customer acquisition, business development, key partnerships and financial plans to fund the development and operation of the start-up. 

Applicants must have graduated from a post secondary institution in Canada or outside Canada within the last ten years. They must have a minimum of 6 months business experience and moderate English. If the business is going to be in Edmonton or Calgary the entrepreneur must have or be able to raise $100,000 and must hold a minimum 51% interest in the business, If the business is going to be outside Edmonton or Calgary the entrepreneur must have or be able to raise $50,000 and must hold a minimum 34% interest in the business.

Stevens and Associates has helped numerous persons successfully apply through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program so please complete our basic information form and we will assess your chances to apply under this program.