What is the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)?
The AINP - Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program is aimed at individuals who have the abilities and skills to cater to the labor market scarcities in Alberta. This Provincial Nominee Program of Alberta accepts applications from skilled workers through the Alberta Opportunity Pathway and Express Entry system. AINP also manages 2 business immigration pathways The Farmer Self-Employed and the Overseas Graduate Entrepreneur Pathway.
Alberta PNP is administered by the Government of Alberta in collaboration with the National Immigration Department IRCC - Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Candidates who are interested in immigrating to Canada through AINP are required to follow a process of 2 stages:
- Apply for Provincial Nomination with the Government of Alberta
- Apply for Canada PR Visa with the Federal Government if successful in the nomination
What are different AINP Immigration Pathways?
AINP or the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program accepts applications from candidates through the following four immigration pathways:
- Alberta Opportunity Pathway
- Express Entry Pathway
- Farmer Self-Employed Pathway
- Overseas Graduate Entrepreneur Pathway
Alberta Opportunity Pathway
AINP launched the Alberta Opportunity Pathway in 2018 June that replaced the Employer-Driven Pathway and Strategic Recruitment Pathway of the province. It aims at simplifying the application process of AINP, reducing wait times, and making the system fairer for employers and candidates.
Minimum requirements for AINPs Opportunity Pathway
Candidates are required to fulfill many types of requirements to become eligible for the Alberta Opportunity Pathway. All requirements must be fulfilled at the time of submitting the application and assessment of the application by AINP unless specified otherwise.
Work Visa and Residency
Qualified candidates are required to possess the status of valid Provisional Resident in Canada authorizing them to work. The valid Work Visa must be based on any one of the following:
- Affirmative LMIA - Labor Market Impact Assessment
- Exemption for LMIA through inter-company transferees, international trade agreements, Mobilit Francophone or International Experience
- Post-graduate Work Visa
The candidates must also be working in an eligible occupation.
Unqualified candidates:
- Refugees under removal or appeal proceedings
- Provisional residents staying out of Alberta
- Provisional residents on restoration or implied status
Those who have the Post-Graduate Work Visa are also required to fulfill extra requirements. Their present occupation must be connected to their area of study in the Alberta province.
If you are enrolled and admitted in your program before 1 April 2019, your qualification must have been offered by an authorized institution and be any one of the below:
- Post- Graduate Certificate or Certificate of at least 1 year
- Minimum 2 years Diploma Program
- Bachelors Degree at Undergraduate level
- Diploma, Certificate, or Degree at the Graduate level
If you are enrolled and admitted in your program later than or on 1 April 2019, your qualification must be included in the approved list of Alberta Opportunity Pathway.
Occupation Requirements
You must be employed in a qualified occupation in Alberta to become eligible for the Alberta Opportunity Pathway. The majority of the occupations under NOC - National Occupational Classification Skill levels D, C, B, A, and 0 are eligible for AINP. Alberta does not prioritize candidates if their occupations are preset on a specific list unlike some other provinces in Canada. On the other hand, AINP has a list of disqualified occupations.
Language Requirements
You are required to offer results from language tests that prove minimum CLB - Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 in all language skills in French (NCLC - Niveaux de competence Linguistique Canadiens) or English at the time of submission of application. This applies to most of the NOC codes.
The only exception is for applicants under 3413 NOC Code - Patient Service Associates, Orderlies, and Nurse Aides. They are required to provide a language test score of at least Level 7 CLB or NCLC for each of the linguistic skills in French or English.
From 1.1.2020, for candidates applying under NOC B, A, and 0 the language requirement has been increased to NCLC or CLB Level 5.
You must have completed at least High School Education in your nation of origin at the time of applying.
From 1.1.2021, candidates are now required to have completed at least High School Education on par with standards in Alberta.
Work Experience Requirements
When you submit your application, you are required to have:
- At least 12 months of full-time experience for work in your present occupation in Alberta within the past 18 months; OR
- At least 24 months* of full-time experience for work in your present occupation in Canada or and overseas within the past 30 months. (* It can be a combination of experience obtained in Alberta province, outside Alberta, and in Canada, or and overseas.)
The Post-Graduation Work Visa holders are required to have at least six months of experience of work in:
- Their present occupation in Alberta in the past 18 months; AND
- In an occupation linked to their studies on par with a credential and institution approved in Alberta;
You are required to have the certification, registration, or licensing to work in your present occupation in Alberta.
You must have a full-time and valid job offer from an employer in Alberta for working in your present employment in Alberta and be employed with that employer in Alberta full-time in that occupation.
The job offer must have yours and your employer in Albertas signature and must provide:
- Uninterrupted paid work
- Full-time job implying at least 30 hours every week for 1 year
- Employment in your present occupation
- Employment in a qualified occupation in AINP for which you have a Work Visa and that fulfills AINP Work Visa requirements
What is Alberta Express Entry Pathway?
The Express Entry Pathway of Alberta permits the province to select a limited number of eligible applicants for nomination from the Federal Express Entry pool. AINP directly selects the eligible candidates from the pool in Express Entry. Candidates are required to obtain the Notification of Interest first and only then they can apply.
The immigration pathway is for candidates with a firm connection to Alberta and who can improve the economy and enhance the diversity of the province. Overseas graduates are also invited.
The requirements for Alberta Express Entry stream
Candidates are required to fulfill the below requirements to become eligible for receiving a Notification of Interest:
- Have an operative profile in the Canada Express Entry pool
- Must declare interest in permanently immigrating to Alberta
- Must be employed in an occupation that advances diversification and economic development of Alberta
- The minimum CRS score (Comprehensive Ranking System) must be 300 points
- An offer of a job from an employer in Alberta and/or employment experience in Alberta
- Graduating from a Canadian post-secondary institution
- Presence of relatives residing in Alberta: Sibling and/ or Child, Parent
The below factors can reduce the chances of obtaining the NOI for candidates:
- The profile in Express Entry terminates in the next 90 days
- Working in a disqualified occupation
Alberta Self-Employed Farmer Pathway
The AINP manages the Self-Employed Farmer Pathway in close partnership with the Agriculture and Forestry Department of Alberta. It prioritizes candidates with skills in farm management and adequate finances for investment in an agricultural business in the province.
Requirements
- Experience in managing a current farming enterprise
- Work experience, training, and education essential for developing a viable agricultural business in Alberta province
- A Plan of Business for the agricultural enterprise that needs to be established in the province
- Proof that a Financial Institution in Canada is ready to fund the proposed agricultural enterprise
- Equity of at least $500,000 for investment in the agricultural enterpriseThe net worth of least $500,000 or authorization of accessing these funds
Alberta Overseas Graduate Entrepreneur Pathway
The Overseas Graduate Entrepreneur Pathway of Alberta is aimed at overseas graduates from Post-secondary institutions in Alberta. They must desire to operate or establish a business in the province.
Candidates are initially required to operate or establish their business in Alberta for a minimum of 1 year while staying on the Work Visa. They are then nominated for a Canada PR Visa by the AINP upon fulfillment of the Agreement for Business Performance terms.
Steps to apply for PR Visa through AINPs Entrepreneur pathway
Step 1: Furnishing an EOI - Expression of Interest
Candidates who fulfill the criteria for edibility can submit the EOIs which will be assessed and offered scores within 1 month of submission. Those who secure the highest ranking will be asked to furnish the Business Application.
Step 2: Submission of Package for Business Application
Selected candidates from the EOI pool are required to furnish the Business Application within 3 months. Payment of the non-refundable $3,500 fee for the application must also be done.
Step 3: Assessment of Business Application
The AINP assesses the Business Application along with the supporting documents upon receiving them from the candidates. A signed BPA - Business Performance Agreement will be sent to the candidates whose Business Application is approved.
The BPA is a lawful contract between the Alberta province and the candidate. It must be returned within 14 days to the AINP with the signature. Candidates are offered a Letter of Approval for Business Application by the AINP after it receives the signed BPA.
Step 4: Establishment of the Business in Alberta
The candidates can reside in Alberta and actively operate and own their business for a minimum of 1 year after receiving the Letter of Approval for Business Application. They must have a minimum of 34% ownership in the business.
Step 5: Concluding Report for Nomination from AINP
The last report for Nomination from AINP is submitted after fulfillment of the Business Performance conditions. AINP will forward a Certificate of Nomination to IRCC - Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada if it approves the final report and sends a nomination letter to the candidate.
Candidates can then apply for the Canada PR Visa with the IRCC.
Latest Alberta PNP Draws
The profiles of the candidates in the Canada Express Entry pool are regularly reviewed by AINP. It then offers NOIs to the candidates inviting them to apply for nomination through AINP Draws. The details of every draw are usually declared nearly one month after the draw has been conducted.
What are the Occupations that are in demand in Alberta?
The following are the List of Eligible In-demand Occupations in Alberta:
- Managerial Occupations
- Applied and Natural Sciences and Associated Occupations
- Finance and Business administration Occupations
- Occupations in Religion, Government Service, Education, and Social Science
- Health Occupations
- Sales and Service Occupations
- Occupations in Sport Recreation, Culture, and Art
- Occupations exclusive to Manufacturing, Processing, and Utilities
- Equipment, Transport, Trades and Operators and Associated Occupations
How Nationwide Can Help You?
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The AINP streams have a high rate of refusal when it comes to applications that are not prepared and filed properly as the standards are very high. The processes and the involved documentation for successfully obtaining the Canada PR Visa through PNPs are normally complex necessitating assistance from experts.
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