Overview
Qualified candidates from Canada’s federal Express Entry pool are nominated by Alberta through the Alberta Express Entry Stream. This stream is run through Alberta Advantage Immigration Program. Once you apply for and receive a nomination, you will then need to apply for permanent residency through Express Entry.
If you are nominated, you will receive 600 extra Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This puts you in a strong position to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence from the Express Entry pool in the next draw.
- The Alberta Express Entry Stream is not open to candidates who apply directly.
- Only candidates who have been invited may submit an application. The AAIP invites those who meet the minimum eligibility criteria to apply.
- You cannot use a nomination from any other AAIP stream to apply under the Alberta Express Entry Stream or the federal Express Entry system.
- Nominations for the Alberta Express Entry Stream cannot be extended.
There are two ways you can be processed through this stream:
General Alberta Express Entry Stream
If you have a strong connection to Alberta or can help the government with its economic development and diversification goals, you may be invited to apply.
If you are an international graduate of a Canadian post-secondary institution, you could be invited to apply under this stream.
Accelerated Tech Pathway
The Alberta Express Entry Stream offers fast processing times to candidates who either currently work for or have a job offer from an employer in an eligible Alberta-based tech occupation. The following occupations are eligible for the Accelerated Tech Pathway program.
Alberta Express Entry Stream Eligibility
Below is the eligibility for General Express Entry candidates, take a look at the eligibility for Accelerated Tech Pathway candidates.
Based on the information in your active Express Entry profile, Alberta may send you a notification of interest.
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) requires interested individuals who have received a Notification of Interest letter to send a copy, and other required information, within 14 days via email.
Although you may meet the requirements, this does not guarantee that you will receive a Notification of Interest letter. Your chances are determined by how many other candidates also meet these requirements, what type of submissions are ahead of you, and how many nominations are available.
If all of the following criteria are met, you could receive a Notification of Interest letter:
- you have an active profile in the Express Entry pool and a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 300
- you have expressed interest in moving to Alberta permanently
- your primary occupation must support Alberta’s economic development and diversification
You are more likely to receive a Notification of Interest letter if you meet any of the following adaptability factors:
- you currently have an Alberta-based job offer
- you have graduated from a Canadian college or university
- you have a child, parent, or sibling who is either a permanent resident or Canadian citizen living in Alberta
- you speak French as your first language
You are less likely to receive a Notification of Interest letter if you meet any of the following factors:
- your Express Entry profile expires within 5 months
- your Express Entry primary occupation:
- is listed on the Ineligible Occupations list
- has a high number of application submissions
How to apply if you receive a Notification of Interest letter
Below are the application steps for General Express Entry candidates, take a look at the steps for Accelerated Tech Pathway candidates.
If you received a Notification of Interest letter, your next steps are:
- within two weeks of receiving your letter in your Express Entry profile, email a copy to AAIP at albertaexpressentry@gov.ab.ca
- provide your profile number
- provide the email address you will use
- provide information about current and past AAIP applications
If your application is selected, you will receive an email from the AAIP with a portal link.
If you are not contacted by the AAIP, then you do not meet the requirements for this stream.
Read the AAIP terms and conditions.
You must meet the following requirements both when you submit your application through AAIP and when it is assessed.
You must:
- have an active profile in the Express Entry pool with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 300
- the primary occupation in your federal Express Entry profile must be an occupation that supports Alberta’s economic development and diversification
- meet the criteria of one of the Express Entry immigration programs:
- intend to live and work in Alberta permanently
You can only apply to the Alberta Express Entry Stream program online through the online portal.
There are two steps to complete for the AAIP to accept your application:
- submit a complete application, and
- pay the AAIP application fee
If your AAIP nomination is accepted, then you may apply for permanent residence.
Alberta Express Entry Stream application fee
A $500 application fee is required for all online submissions when applying for a nomination.
You must pay a separate application fee for each AAIP application, and no refund will be issued.
You are not guaranteed a nomination certificate.
You will also need to pay the Express Entry fees when applying for permanent residency after receiving a nomination
How to apply for permanent residency
You only have 30 days to accept your nomination after you receive it in your Express Entry profile.
You will receive your AAIP nomination certificate by email.
You should read over your nomination certificate for any mistakes. If you find any, contact the program officer who was in charge of assessing your application.
If you receive an Invitation to apply for permanent residence from IRCC, you will have 60 days to submit your application.
Complete an online Express Entry application, upload any required supporting documents, and pay the applicable fees.
IRCC will assess your application for permanent residence to check if it is complete. If they accept it, you’ll be given a file number and told the next steps.
The IRCC will contact you with any updates or requests for information through your account.
Nicola Wightman
Nicola Wightman is a regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) under the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). Her professional immigration consultant number is R706497.
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