The Alberta PNP explained – do you have a pathway to PR?
Do you have a pathway to PR in Alberta?
The short answer is maybe, especially if you have lived in Alberta and if you have a job offer from an Alberta employer.
The long answer is that Alberta’s PNP program is a bit of a black box. Some other Provinces have more transparent selection criteria and give applicants an estimate of processing times. Alberta’s system is a bit different because it does not guarantee that your application will be assessed and, even if you get a Notification of Interest letter (NOI), that does not necessarily mean the Province of Alberta will nominate you even if you meet the eligibility criteria. However, Alberta’s PNP has a list of factors that will increase or decrease your likelihood of a nomination (read on for the list).
Do you need help with your immigration application or want to consult with a lawyer about your immigration file?
What is the Alberta PNP program called?
Alberta’s program changed its name from the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) as of Feb 16, 2022.
How does the AAIP work?
In many cases, you must first get a Notification of Interest (NOI) before you can apply to the AAIP. Generally, a candidates submit an online application to the AAIP. There are Provincial fees for submitting an AAIP application (currently $500 CAD). You must have a My Alberta Digital ID account (MADI) in order to submit the AAIP online application. If you do not have an Alberta Driver’s License or Provincial ID, you can still create a basic account (but you need to reside in Alberta with proper ID in order to create a verified account). There is no charge to create a MADI.
Many of the categories in the AAIP also require that you have a valid Federal Express Entry profile and that you have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) of at least 300 points.
Keep in mind that you do not get 600 points unless and until the AAIP decides to nominate you under one of the EE linked categories. Only if you are actually nominated will you get a Nomination letter and will your EE profile show that you have 600 points. It is difficult to get a nomination unless you can show a strong connection to the province, and an intent to live in the province of Alberta.
What are the Program Streams in Alberta?
There are 3 streams for people who are currently living and working in Alberta or who plan to live and work here:
-requires a job offer from an Alberta employer,
-not EE linked,
-Can be NOC 0, A, B, C or D,
-cannot be on list of ineligible occupations,
-must have high school equivalent,
-12 months FT in current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months OR min 24 months FT in current occupation in Canada or abroad within the last 30 months,
-language at CLB 5 for high skilled and CLB 4 for low skilled,
-longer processing times
2. Alberta Express Entry Stream (including the new Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway)
-must meet all EE requirements and have an active EE profile,
-must have at least one year of high skilled work or meet EE trades requirements,
-high school equivalent,
-need settlement funds if FSW or FST,
-job offer increases chances of nomination and is required for Accelerated Tech,
-FST requires job offer or certificate of qualification under a Regulated Trade,
-must have minimum CRS 300,
-cannot directly apply for EE – must be sent a Notification of Interest letter;
-can apply for Accelerated Tech if you also meet additional criteria:
-working FT in AB or have job offer for FT work in AB,
-must meet minimum wage and meet or exceed LMIA or lowest starting wage for the occupation across all industries in AB
-no contractors or part-time work allowed and no online work from outside AB allowed, - primary NOC must be on the tech pathway list:
-AND AB employer must be in the tech industry as listed in Accelerated Tech Pathway Eligible North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) list
-NOC 0, A, B, C, D but cannot be on the list of ineligible occupations,
-high school equivalent or meet certification requirements if trades,
-CLB 5 for high skilled and CLB 4 for low skilled,
-minimum of 12 months full-time work experience in an eligible occupation within the last 18 months; current job offer must align with past work experience,
-must show LICO settlement funds depending on population size of designated community,
-FT job offer required inside the designated community of less than 10,000 people,
-must intend to live and work in the designated community at the time of submission and assessment,
-must be endorsed by the designated rural community,
-not a point system
There are 4 streams for entrepreneurs who plan to live in Alberta and who will buy or start an Alberta business:
-high school education,
-language of CLB 4 in each skill,
-3-4 years experience,
-points,
-net worth $300,000 CAD,
-investment of $200,000 CAD,
-ownership of 51% new business or own 100% business succession,
-create FT job for Cdn
- AND must have a Community Support Letter
5. Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
-at least 2 years FT education resulting in a degree/diploma from an Alberta publicly funded post-secondary institution,
-language at CLB 7 in each skill,
-AB degree/diploma,
-at time of Expression of Interest, must have a valid PGWP issued by IRCC,
-points,
-must establish a new business or buy an existing business in Alberta with a minimum 34% ownership,
-factors that increase/decrease chances
6. Farm Stream
-proven farm management,
-net worth of $500,000 CAD,
-able to invest min CDN $500,000 of equity in a primary production farming business in Alberta,
-business plan reviewed by AB Ag Forestry and Rural Economic Development
7. Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
-completion of a degree within the last 10 years,
-language at CLB 5 in each skill,
-min 6 months FT experience,
-points,
-must show LICO settlement funds depending on population size of community,
-min investment for urban centre $100,000; min investment for regional area $50,000,
-min of 34% ownership if the business located in an urban centre or min of 51% ownership if located in regional area outside Calgary/Edmonton,
-business plan + letter of recommendation from designated agency
Which factors increase my chances of a notification of interest letter or a nomination?
In general, especially for AAIP EE streams, these factors increase your chances of a NOI:
An Alberta job offer
Graduating from an Alberta post-secondary institution or another Canadian post-secondary institution
You have a parent, child, brother or sister who is a Canadian citizen or PR and who is living in Alberta
French is your first language
Which factors decrease my chances of a nomination?
Your EE profile will expire in less than 5 months
Your primary occupation is on the Alberta Opportunity Stream Ineligible Occupation List
The AAIP already has a high volume of submissions in your primary NOC (check here for inventory and processing times)
What if I think I qualify and want further information?
Mark and I have a video all about the AAIP EE stream, and specifically the Accelerated Tech Pathway, which is available for free.
If you would like advice about your immigration options and want further legal analysis of which category might be best for your, please book a consultation and we would be happy to discuss the particulars of your situation.