Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

what is Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program “AINP” ?

Alberta is located in Western Canada which is home to two of Canada’s largest cities Calgary and Edmonton and is the most populous of the
country’s three ‘Prairie provinces’. It is also renowned as one of the most beautiful parts of North America, with famous national parks, such as Banff and Jasper.

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) is an economic immigration program that targets prospective immigrants with the desired skills and experience to meet skill shortage in Alberta or the ones intending to acquire or set up a business. The applicants, if nominated via the AINP program, can apply for permanent residence collectively with their spouse or common-law partner and dependent children.

AINP Streams

1. Alberta Express Entry Stream
2. Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway
3. Rural Renewal Stream
4. Farm Stream
5. Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
6. Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Alberta Express Entry Stream

The Alberta Express Entry stream was launched in June 2018. The stream allows the province to offer provincial nominations to select candidates with active profiles in the federal Express Entry system. Alberta will automatically consider profiles in the federal Express Entry pool.

Minimum Requirements:

1. Must be in the Express Entry pool;
2. Must have expressed interest in immigrating to Alberta permanently;
3. Must be working in an occupation that supports Alberta’s economic development and diversification;
4. A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300.

Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway

The Accelerated Tech Pathway allows certain Express Entry candidates with an Albertan job offer at a company in a tech industry or in an eligible tech role to apply for nomination with expedited processing.

Minimum Requirements:

1. Must have a profile in the Express Entry pool;
2. Must have expressed interest in immigrating to Alberta permanently;
3. A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300;
4. Must be working or received a job offer in an eligible tech occupation in Alberta.

Rural Renewal Stream

Qualified candidates who have a job offer from an Alberta employer to work in a designated rural Alberta community can apply for an AINP nomination. The Rural Renewal Stream supports the attraction and retention of 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.

Minimum Requirements:

1. Must have valid full-time job offer or employment contract from an Alberta employer to work in an eligible occupation in a designated community;
2. Must have at least 12 months of full-time work experience in an eligible occupation in the 18 months before you apply. This work experience can be a combination of experience in Alberta, elsewhere in Canada or abroad;
3. Must meet minimum language requirements;
4. Minimum of a high school education equivalent to the Canadian education standard;
5. Must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and all family members who will be moving into the designated community;

Farm Stream

The Alberta Farm Stream targets foreign nationals with extensive experience owning and operating a farm who have the financial resources to launch a new farming operation in Alberta. Candidates for this stream must consult with the province and submit a highly detailed proposal outlining their plan to launch a new agricultural farm in Alberta.

Minimum Requirements:

1. Farm management skills;
2. Sufficient financial resources (minimum investment of CAD $500,000);
3. Investment plans documented in a proposed business plan.

Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

The Graduate Entrepreneur stream offers a pathway to permanent residence to international graduates from Alberta post-secondary institutions that wish to start and operate a business in the province. This stream uses a points-based Expression of Interest to rank system candidates. Those with the highest-ranking points will be invited to submit a detailed Business Application. Successful applicants will be issued a nomination by the province, which can be used to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Minimum Requirements:

1. At least two years full time education in Alberta;
2. A valid Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) at time of application;
3. A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7;
4. Must establish a new business or operate an existing business with at least 34% ownership.

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

The Foreign Entrepreneur Stream offers a pathway to permanent residence to recent graduates who have completed a foreign post-secondary credential and who have an intention of starting and operating a business in the province of Alberta. Candidates who meet the minimum stream requirements can register a profile using AAIP’s online portal and submit a Business Application for the chance to start a business in Alberta, and, eventually apply for permanent residence.

Minimum Requirements:

1. A minimum of six months of full-time work experience of managing and/or owning the business;
2. Must have a business plan with projected financials;
3. Must have a post-secondary education from a foreign institution, and have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). The degree must have been completed within the last ten years;
4. A 10-minute slides-only presentation that explains the business and details what an investor what want to see;
5. A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 5;
6. Must have at least 34% ownership if the business is located in an urban center, or at least 51% ownership if located in outside Calgary or Edmonton;
7. Must make a minimum investment of $100,000 for an urban center, or $50,000 for a regional area. More points are awarded for higher investments. These can be made from your own equity, or from a recognized Canadian financial institution, venture capital or angel investment firm;
8. Must have a letter of recommendation from an AAIP-approved agency;
9. Must have enough money to set up their business and support yourself and your family in Canada.