PNP — ALBERTA

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP).

AAIP is Alberta's economic immigration program — four worker streams and four entrepreneur streams, plus Dedicated Pathways for healthcare professionals, tech workers, and police occupations. For 2026, Alberta is prioritising healthcare, technology, construction, manufacturing, aviation, agriculture, and designated Rural Renewal communities. We handle AAIP files end to end from our Ontario office.

Get in TouchCall 647-286-4266
REGULATED CONSULTANT
RCIC
LICENSED PARALEGAL
Law Society of Ontario
BASED IN
Brampton, ON
PROGRAM OVERVIEW

How AAIP fits into your PR plan.

AAIP (formerly the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program, AINP) is the province's economic immigration program. Worker streams cover candidates already in Alberta on a work permit, candidates in the federal Express Entry pool, and workers willing to settle in designated rural communities. Entrepreneur streams cover rural business owners, post-graduate entrepreneurs, farm investors, and foreign graduate entrepreneurs.

The Alberta Express Entry Stream is the Enhanced track — a nomination adds 600 CRS points to your federal Express Entry profile and effectively guarantees an ITA. Other streams (Alberta Opportunity, Rural Renewal, entrepreneur categories) are Base PNP — no Express Entry profile required. The Rural Renewal Stream criteria changed effective January 1, 2026 — applications received on or after that date are assessed under the new framework.

AAIP STREAMS

Four worker streams, three dedicated pathways, four entrepreneur streams.

AAIP's stream selection depends on where you are (in Alberta vs abroad), your occupation, and whether you have an Express Entry profile. We pick the strongest pathway at the consultation.

WORKER · BASE

Alberta Opportunity Stream

For candidates already working in Alberta on valid temporary status (work permit), with a permanent Alberta job offer in an eligible NOC. The workhorse stream for people already settled in the province.

WORKER · EE-ALIGNED

Alberta Express Entry Stream

Targets candidates in the federal Express Entry pool whose profiles align with Alberta's labour priorities. Nomination adds 600 CRS — effectively guarantees an ITA in the next federal draw.

WORKER · BASE

Rural Renewal Stream

For workers willing to settle in a designated rural Alberta community with an endorsement letter from that community. New eligibility criteria effective January 1, 2026 — confirm the current rules at the consultation.

DEDICATED PATHWAY

Health Care Pathway

Direct pathway for physicians (NOC 31100/31101/31102) and other practice-ready healthcare workers. Streamlined assessment outside the standard worker stream backlog.

DEDICATED PATHWAY

Accelerated Tech Pathway

Targets tech workers in priority NOC codes — software developers, data scientists, cybersecurity, engineering, and related occupations. Faster assessment and priority processing.

DEDICATED PATHWAY

Law Enforcement Pathway

Dedicated stream for police officer occupations recruited by Alberta law-enforcement agencies.

ENTREPRENEUR

Rural Entrepreneur Stream

For experienced business owners or senior managers planning to start or buy a business in a designated rural Alberta community. Lower investment threshold than urban entrepreneur paths.

ENTREPRENEUR

Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

For recent post-secondary graduates from an Alberta institution starting a business in the province. Requires an established business plan and ongoing operation.

ENTREPRENEUR

Farm Stream

For experienced farm owners and operators with the financial resources to buy or establish a farm in Alberta. Farm-management experience and a viable business plan required.

ENTREPRENEUR

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

For international graduates of accredited foreign institutions starting an innovative business in Alberta, typically with the support of a designated business incubator.

2026 PRIORITY SECTORS

What AAIP is selecting for right now.

Worker-stream draws in 2026 are concentrated in these sectors. Candidates working in or job-offered into one of these areas have materially better odds.

HealthcareTechnologyConstructionManufacturingAviationAgricultureRural Renewal communities
2026 AT A GLANCE

Where AAIP stands today.

RURAL RENEWAL CHANGES
Effective Jan 1, 2026
Applications received on or after this date assessed under updated Rural Renewal Stream criteria.
RECENT DRAWS
Tech · Rural · Healthcare
April 2026 draws issued invitations across the Accelerated Tech, Rural Renewal, and Healthcare pathways.
SELECTION MODEL
Sector-targeted draws
AAIP issues invitations against priority NOC codes — being in a target sector beats a high general score.
HOW WE WORK AN AAIP FILE

From stream pick to PR.

Every AAIP file is handled directly by Jugraj. The four steps below are the backbone — AAIP-specific details (community endorsement, NOC verification, intake portal) slot in where needed.

01

Stream selection + eligibility check

We assess your work history, language scores, occupation (NOC/TEER), education, Alberta connection, and any Express Entry profile. We pick the strongest AAIP stream or dedicated pathway.

02

AAIP application / Express Entry notification

We file the AAIP application (Alberta Opportunity, Rural Renewal, entrepreneur streams) or wait for an Alberta Express Entry notification of interest if you're in the federal pool. We monitor the AAIP intake portal and respond to invitations.

03

Provincial nomination certificate

If approved, AAIP issues a nomination. For Alberta Express Entry, +600 CRS is applied to your federal profile and an ITA follows in the next federal draw.

04

Federal PR application + landing

Full PR application to IRCC — medical exam, biometrics, supporting documents, security checks. We respond to procedural fairness letters and follow up on stalled files. You're walked through landing once approved.

WHAT WE'LL ASK FOR

Documents at a glance.

The exact checklist depends on the stream and your family situation. This is the working inventory most AAIP files need — we customise it after the first consultation.

Identity & status

  • Passport biodata pages (all family members)
  • Birth certificates
  • Current Canadian status documents (work or study permit, if in Canada)
  • Marriage or divorce records where applicable

Work experience

  • Reference letters listing duties matched to the NOC
  • Employment dates, hours per week, salary
  • Pay records (T4, Notice of Assessment, payslips) and contracts
  • Alberta employer job offer where the stream requires one

Education

  • Canadian transcripts, diplomas, or degrees (originals)
  • Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign credentials
  • Trade certification or Alberta regulator recognition where applicable

Language results

  • IELTS General Training or CELPIP-General (English)
  • TEF Canada or TCF Canada (French)
  • Within 2 years for Alberta Express Entry Stream
  • AAIP CLB minimums vary by stream

Alberta-specific extras

  • Proof of current Alberta status (work permit) for Alberta Opportunity Stream
  • Designated community endorsement letter for Rural Renewal Stream
  • Business plan + net worth verification for entrepreneur streams
  • Practice readiness documentation for Health Care Pathway
GOVERNMENT FEES

What AAIP and IRCC charge.

An AAIP file involves two sets of government fees: the AAIP application fee, and IRCC's federal permanent-residence fees. The IRCC schedule below is the same fee structure that applies to every Express Entry and PNP-to-PR file.

FEDERAL — IRCC PR APPLICATION
  • Principal applicantCAD $1,590
    Processing fee + right of permanent residence fee combined.
  • Spouse or common-law partnerCAD $1,590
  • Dependent childCAD $270 each
  • Right of permanent residence fee (if deferred)CAD $600
    Already included in the $1,590 above when paid up-front. Can be paid separately before landing.
  • BiometricsCAD $85 / person · $170 family max

IRCC fees as of April 30, 2026. Medical exam, language tests, ECA reports, translations, and police certificates are billed separately by their respective providers.

View the current IRCC fee schedule ↗
AAIP — APPLICATION FEE

AAIP charges a provincial application fee that varies by stream — worker streams sit at one tier, entrepreneur streams at a higher tier. Confirm the current fee with the program at time of application; we cover this at the consultation.

FAQ

Questions we're asked most.

Looking at AAIP for your case?

Tell us about your work history, target Alberta occupation, language scores, and any Alberta connection. We'll respond within one business day with the AAIP streams that fit and the next steps.

Get in Touch647-286-4266