This pathway is right for you if:

• You live in Alberta and are working in Alberta at the time of application
• Your job is full-time (at least 30 hours per week)
• You are working in an eligible occupation under NOC classification
• You have a full-time job offer or full-time employment contract from your Alberta employer
• You hold a valid work permit based on either a positive LMIA or one of the accepted LMIA exemptions
• You meet the language, education, and work experience requirements for this stream

Valid Temporary Resident Status with Work Authorization

At both the time of application submission and AAIP review, you must hold valid temporary resident status in Canada with authorization to work (a valid work permit).

Eligible Work Permit Types

Your work permit must be based on one of the following:

• Positive LMIA-based work permit. Work permits issued under the NOC 2016 version with a positive LMIA are still accepted by AAIP under the NOC 2021 update.
• LMIA-exempt work permits issued under IRCC exemptions, including: international trade agreements, intra-company transfers, International Experience Canada, Mobilité Francophone, and R205(d) for religious work.
• Open work permits issued for vulnerable workers or their family members.
• Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for graduates of Alberta Advanced Education-funded public post-secondary institutions. PGWP holders must meet additional conditions on occupation, education, and work experience.
• Open work permits under IRCC temporary public policies, including CUAET (Ukraine), Hong Kong graduates, and similar policies. If your work permit type is eligible under a temporary public policy but not listed in the forms, select the "Other" option.

Ineligible Based on Residency / Status

• Refugee claimants or individuals in federal appeal or removal proceedings
• Residents or workers in provinces other than Alberta
• Individuals without valid temporary resident status

Your Current Occupation Must Be Eligible

At time of submission and AAIP review, you must be working in Alberta in an eligible occupation. The job you hold at submission is your "Current occupation" — it must align with your work history and your job offer.

Overall Eligible Occupation Range

Most occupations across TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are eligible under this stream — however, a specific list of ineligible occupations applies.

Ineligible Occupations

You are not eligible if your current occupation at time of submission or review is one of the following:

• Legislators (NOC 00010)
• School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education (NOC 40021)
• Judges (NOC 41100)
• Secondary school teachers (NOC 41220)
• Elementary school and kindergarten teachers (NOC 41221)
• Authors and writers, except technical (NOC 51111)
• Musicians and singers (NOC 51122)
• Selected arts, performance, and acting occupations
• Real estate agents and salespersons (NOC 63101)
• Home child care providers (NOC 44100)
• Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs (NOC 75200)
• Additional service-sector occupations per the official AAIP list

Special Condition for PGWP Holders

Language Requirements

At time of submission, you must demonstrate the minimum language score for your occupation's TEER under NOC 2021. The score must come from a single test sitting.

• TEER 0, 1, 2, 3 occupations: Minimum CLB 5 per skill (English) or NCLC 5 (French)
• TEER 4, 5 occupations: Minimum CLB 4 per skill (English) or NCLC 4 (French)
• Exception (NOC 33102): Minimum CLB 7 per skill

Accepted tests: CELPIP General, IELTS General Training, PTE, TEF Canada, TCF Canada. Test results must be less than 2 years old at the time of application.

Education Requirements — All Applicants (Except PGWP)

From January 1, 2021 onwards, you must have at least a high school diploma equivalent to Canadian standard. For credentials earned outside Canada, you must provide an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from an IRCC-designated organization.

Additional Education Conditions for PGWP Holders

PGWP holders must hold a credential from a publicly funded Alberta post-secondary institution that is minister-approved (such as a 2-year diploma, bachelor's degree, etc.).

Minimum Required Experience

At time of application, you must meet one of the following:

• At least 12 months of full-time work experience in your current occupation in Alberta within the past 18 months, OR
• At least 24 months of full-time work experience in your current occupation in Canada or abroad (combined) within the past 30 months

PGWP-Specific Condition

PGWP holders must have at least 6 months of full-time work experience in their current occupation in Alberta within the past 18 months.

All applicants must hold a full-time job offer or full-time employment contract from an Alberta employer at both submission and review. The offer must align with your work permit conditions and Alberta employment standards.

Ineligible Employment Arrangements

• Part-time workers
• Independent contractors
• Business owners (self-employed)
• Anyone working virtually from outside Alberta

Application Process

1. Submit Worker Expression of Interest (EOI) — Self-declared information used by AAIP to rank candidates.
2. Wait for Selection Draw — If selected, you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and your portal status changes to "Invited".
3. Submit Full AAIP Application — Within the timelines specified in your ITA, prepare and submit your complete application with all supporting documents.
4. AAIP Assessment & Provincial Nomination — AAIP reviews your file. If approved, you receive a provincial nomination certificate.
5. Apply to IRCC for Permanent Residence — Within 6 months of nomination, submit your PR application to IRCC.

After You Are Nominated

• You must apply for PR through IRCC within 6 months.
• If your work permit will expire before PR is finalized, you must apply to extend it (using a new LMIA, LMIA exemption, or a 204(c) Letter of Support).

How This Stream Works

Through the Alberta Express Entry Stream, Alberta selects eligible candidates from the IRCC Express Entry pool for provincial nomination toward permanent residence. Selection is based on the province's announced priorities — published as guidance only and not binding or permanent.

Announced Priorities for 2024 and Early 2025

During this period, AAIP may issue invitations based on the following priorities:

• Dedicated Health Care Pathway
• Accelerated Tech Pathway
• Law Enforcement Pathway
• Priority Economic Sectors — Construction, Agriculture, Aviation

For each pathway, specific requirements must be reviewed separately.

To apply and receive a provincial nomination, you must meet three categories of conditions simultaneously. At the time of submission and AAIP review, the following must all be true:

• Active Express Entry profile in the federal system
• Eligible for at least one federal program: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Minimum CRS score of 300
• Primary occupation in your Express Entry profile must either:
  • Be among the occupations defined under one of this stream's dedicated pathways, OR
  • Align with one of Alberta's economic, sector, or occupational priorities
• If invited based on an Alberta job offer, both you and the Alberta employer must meet all Alberta Job Offer & Employment Requirements
• You must have the intent and ability to live and work permanently in Alberta — and must declare this in the system

Ineligible Applicants

You cannot apply under the Alberta Express Entry Stream if:

• Your primary occupation is on the AOS ineligible occupations list
• You are a refugee claimant or in federal appeal/removal proceedings (AAIP does not intervene in refugee, appeal, or removal processes)
• You hold an active nomination under any AAIP stream (active = not expired, still extendable, or used for PR application with no final decision)
• You have been barred from re-applying to AAIP due to misrepresentation

Requirements for this pathway are defined separately on its own dedicated page. Applicants must review the full requirements before applying. Selection is for candidates with a valid Alberta health-care job offer and a recognized professional license.

Designed for technology professionals. The following must be true at submission and review:

Core Requirements

• Full-time employment in Alberta under a valid employment contract, OR a bona fide signed job offer that:
  • Aligns with Alberta job offer requirements
  • Falls within an eligible tech occupation
• The employer must operate primarily in Alberta's tech industry (per AAIP-approved NAICS codes)
• Valid immigration status (work permit or maintained status) if currently working in Alberta
• The primary occupation in your Express Entry profile must exactly match your current job or job offer

Ineligible Under This Pathway

Even with a tech job or eligible employer, the following groups do not qualify:

• Part-time, casual, or seasonal employees
• Independent contractors or temporary agency workers
• Those working outside Alberta or remotely from another province

Dedicated to international policing professionals identified by the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP). At submission and review:

• The primary occupation in your Express Entry profile must match your current job or job offer in Alberta
• The applicant must be recognized by AACP as an international police officer
• Valid job offer from an eligible Alberta police employer in one of the following NOCs:
  • NOC 40040 — Managerial police officers
  • NOC 41310 — Investigators and investigative occupations
  • NOC 42100 — Police officers (except commissioned)

For invitations issued based on Alberta's priority economic sectors:

• The primary occupation in your Express Entry profile must be in one of the following sectors:
  • Construction
  • Agriculture
  • Aviation
• If the invitation is based on a job offer, the offered occupation must also be in one of these sectors

• AAIP may apply additional selection factors in each draw
• The applicant must meet all draw-specific conditions at submission and review
• If your Express Entry profile has less than 5 months until expiry, your chance of receiving an invitation decreases
• It is recommended that you keep your Express Entry profile up to date and active at all times

Express Entry Profile Updates (From September 30, 2024 Onwards)

If your profile expires before a final decision is made:

• AAIP may ask you to create and submit a new profile, OR
• You can proactively register the new profile through the AAIP portal under "Update Employment Information"

Invitations may be issued to candidates who:

• Hold a health-care job offer and a valid professional work license (Dedicated Health Care Pathway)
• Hold a tech job offer from an eligible employer (Accelerated Tech Pathway)
• Hold a police job offer from AACP members (Law Enforcement Pathway)
• Have the work history needed to support labour shortages in key sectors such as construction, agriculture, and aviation

1. Active Express Entry Profile — Maintain an active EE profile with CRS 300+, eligible for CEC, FSTP, or FSW, with primary occupation aligned with one of the four dedicated pathways or Alberta's priorities.
2. AAIP Selection — Alberta selects candidates from the EE pool. If selected, you receive a Notification of Interest in your EE account.
3. Submit AAIP Application — Within the timeline specified, submit your full AAIP application with supporting documents.
4. Provincial Nomination — If approved, AAIP issues your nomination, adding 600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile.
5. Receive ITA & Apply to IRCC — With the boosted CRS, you receive an ITA from IRCC and complete your PR application.

This pathway is for applicants who meet both of the following at the same time:

• Full-time job offer in a Designated Community in Alberta
• Valid Endorsement of Candidate Letter from that same Designated Community

Who This Stream Can Help

• Temporary Workers — Already in Canada with a valid work permit
• Overseas Applicants — Outside Canada, planning to arrive with a job offer and community endorsement
• EMPP Candidates — Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot applicants applying under this stream's rules

The Rural Renewal Stream officially operates as a two-step process:

Step 1: Designated Community & Endorsement Process

The community, through its EDO, recruits workers directly for local labour market needs and issues an Endorsement of Candidate Letter to its selected applicant. In the EMPP route, a Referral Partner helps the community identify a suitable refugee applicant.

Step 2: Worker Expression of Interest (EOI)

The applicant submits a Worker EOI. If AAIP selects the candidate in a draw, an Invitation to Apply is issued for this pathway so the formal application can be submitted.

What Is the Endorsement of Candidate Letter?

This letter is the cornerstone of the pathway. You must hold a valid Endorsement Letter from the EDO of a Designated Community at the time of submission and assessment. The letter is valid for 1 year from the date of issuance.

What Must the Letter Contain?

The letter must be issued by the local EDO and include:

• Name and address of both the issuing EDO and the applicant
• Real job offer details (business name, job title, salary, etc.)
• Explanation of how the job aligns with the community's economic growth
• Employer's efforts to recruit Canadian workers and the outcomes of those efforts

General TEER Eligibility

At submission and assessment, you must have a job offer in an eligible occupation.

• TEER 0–5: Permitted for temporary workers already in Alberta holding a valid work permit
• TEER 0–3: Permitted for applicants outside Canada, or living in Canada outside Alberta

Ineligible Occupations (Summary)

The list includes: Legislators, Judges, Musicians, Athletes, Home child care providers, Taxi drivers, and other occupations specified in the official AAIP list.

Job Offer Requirements

The job offer must be full-time, from an Alberta employer, and in a real business located within the same Designated Community. The following are not eligible:

• Part-time employees
• Independent contractors
• Anyone working remotely (virtual) from outside Alberta

Baseline Requirement

At time of application, you must have at least 12 months of full-time work experience in an eligible occupation within the past 18 months. This experience may be a combination of work in Alberta, elsewhere in Canada, or abroad.

EMPP-Specific Condition

For EMPP applicants, the requirement is 12 months of work experience within the past 10 years.

Job Offer TEER vs. Work Experience TEER — Matching Table

Language Requirements

Language requirements are based on the TEER of the job offer:

• TEER 0 / 1 / 2 / 3: Minimum CLB 5 (English) or NCLC 5 (French)
• TEER 4 / 5: Minimum CLB 4 (English) or NCLC 4 (French)

Education Requirements

You must hold at least the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma. An ECA (Educational Credential Assessment) is required for most applicants unless you hold a Canadian credential or AIT certification. EMPP applicants are exempt from the ECA requirement.

If you are outside Canada or living in Canada but not working, you must demonstrate settlement funds. EMPP applicants are exempt from this requirement.

Application Process

1. Identify a Designated Community — Connect with an Alberta community participating in the Rural Renewal Stream.
2. Secure a Full-Time Job Offer — From an employer located within that community.
3. Obtain Endorsement of Candidate Letter — Issued by the community's local EDO (valid 1 year).
4. Submit Worker EOI — Register your EOI in the AAIP portal.
5. Receive Invitation to Apply — Selected through a draw, file your full AAIP application.
6. Provincial Nomination & PR Application — Apply for PR to IRCC within 6 months.

After You Are Nominated

Once nominated under the Rural Renewal Stream, you must apply for PR within 6 months. AAIP may extend the nomination but there is no guarantee. If you do not hold a valid work permit at the time of nomination, you may be eligible for a 204(c) Letter of Support to apply for a new work permit.

This pathway is right for you if:

• You live and work in Alberta
• You work full-time (at least 30 hours per week) in the tourism/hospitality sector
• You hold a full-time job offer or contract from your current employer
• You have a positive LMIA for an eligible occupation (or your work permit is under temporary special measures related to wildfires)
• You work in one of the eligible occupations (specified NOCs)
• You have at least 6 months of continuous work (or 780 hours) with the same current employer
• You meet the language and education requirements

Eligible Employer & Industry

Your employer must be an approved tourism and hospitality employer, with primary activity falling under one of the eligible Alberta WCB industry codes — such as restaurants, hotels, recreation centres, museums, and similar establishments.

Sector Association Membership

At the time of application, your employer must be a member of one of the approved sector associations (such as accommodation, food and beverage, or tourism associations). In limited cases where the employer cannot become a member, the employer must be registered with Travel Alberta as an Experience Provider.

Your current occupation and your job offer must exactly match an occupation on the eligible list. Examples of eligible NOCs include:

• Restaurant and food services managers — NOC 60030 (TEER 0)
• Accommodation service managers — NOC 60031 (TEER 0)
• Food service supervisors — NOC 62020 (TEER 2)
• Chefs — NOC 62200 (TEER 2)
• Cooks — NOC 63200 (TEER 3)
• Bartenders — NOC 64301 (TEER 4)
• Hotel front desk clerks — NOC 64314 (TEER 4)
• Food and beverage servers — NOC 65200 (TEER 5)
• Light duty cleaners — NOC 65310 (TEER 5)
• Additional occupations defined in the official stream list

At both submission and AAIP review, you must live and work in Alberta and hold a valid work permit based on:

• A positive LMIA for an eligible occupation, OR
• IRCC temporary special measures related to individuals affected by wildfires

Required Work Experience

At least 6 months of continuous full-time work (or 780 hours) with your current employer. This experience must be paid and performed with valid immigration status.

Job Offer or Employment Contract

At both submission and review, you must hold a full-time job offer or employment contract for an eligible occupation. The following are not eligible:

• Part-time, seasonal, or casual employees
• Independent contractors
• Anyone working at a non-commercial (home-based) location

Language

Minimum CLB 4 (English) or NCLC 4 (French) in each of the four skills. Accepted tests: CELPIP, IELTS General, PTE, TEF, TCF. Test must be less than 2 years old.

Education

At minimum, you must hold a high school diploma equivalent to Canadian standard. If your credential is from outside Canada, you must provide a valid ECA — unless you hold a Canadian credential or an Alberta trade certification.

Worker Expression of Interest (EOI)

• EOI registration is free and information is self-declared
• AAIP scores your EOI based on your information (maximum 100 points)
• There is no specific minimum score required to register an EOI, but your score is used to rank candidates
• Selections are made through Selection Draws

Important EOI Notes

• You may only have one active Worker EOI at any time
• Inaccurate information may result in rejection and potentially a ban
• EOIs are valid for 1 year

1. Step 1 — Register Worker EOI. Registration is free. AAIP scores your EOI (max 100 points). You may only have one Worker EOI. EOIs are valid for 1 year.
2. Step 2 — Wait for Draw Selection. If your EOI is selected, you receive an email and your portal status changes to "Invited".
3. Step 3 — Submit AAIP Application After ITA. Within 15 days of receiving the ITA, begin your application. Submit it within 30 days of starting. If you fail to act, the ITA is cancelled.
4. Step 4 — Pay the Application Fee. $1,500 CAD, non-refundable. Must be paid within 24 hours of application submission.
5. Step 5 — Provincial Nomination. If approved, you receive your nomination certificate from AAIP.
6. Step 6 — Apply to IRCC for PR. Within 6 months, file your permanent residence application with IRCC.

After You Are Nominated

• You must apply for PR through IRCC within 6 months
• You must maintain legal status while your PR application is in progress (renew work permit with new LMIA or BOWP)
• Nomination extension requests may be reviewed for a $150 fee, but extensions are not guaranteed