The province operates several immigration streams divided among three categories:

• Alberta Opportunity Stream
• Alberta Express Entry
• Alberta Self-Employed Farmer
• International Graduate Entrepreneur
• Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa

As well, the province has announced that it would be closing two previously existing streams in June 2018:

• Alberta Strategic Recruitment
• Alberta Employer-Driven

Alberta Opportunity Stream

The Alberta Opportunity Stream was launched in June 2018. This stream targets foreign nationals who are already working in Alberta and who have an official offer of employment from their Alberta employer to continue working full-time in the province. Candidates for this stream must meet a range of eligibility requirements regarding work experience, job offer, language proficiency, and education.

Alberta Express Entry Stream

The Alberta Express Entry stream was launched in June 2018. The stream allows the province to offer provincial nominations to select candidates with active profiles in the federal Express Entry system. Alberta will automatically consider profiles in the federal Express Entry pool. While the exact selection criteria is unknown, AINP states that it will seek candidates who demonstrate strong ties to Alberta and who can support regional economic development and diversification.

Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination through this stream will a 600-point increase to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence in the subsequent Express Entry draw.

AINP Self-Employed Farmer Stream

The Alberta Self-Employed Farmer stream targets foreign nationals with extensive experience owning and operating a farm who have the financial resources to launch a new farming operation in Alberta. Candidates for this stream must consult with the province and submit a highly detailed proposal outlining their plan to launch a new agricultural farm in Alberta.

International Graduate Entrepreneur

The International Graduate Entrepreneur stream offers a pathway to permanent residence to international graduates from Alberta post-secondary institutions that wish to start and operate a business in the province. This stream uses a points-based Expression of Interest to rank system candidates. Those with the highest-ranking points will be invited to submit a detailed Business Application. Successful applicants will be issued a nomination by the province, which can be used to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa

The Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa offers a pathway to permanent residence to recent graduates who have completed a foreign post-secondary credential and who have an intention of starting and operating a business in the province of Alberta. Candidates who meet the minimum stream requirements can register a profile using AINP’s online portal and submit a Business Application for the chance to start a business in Alberta, and, eventually apply for permanent residence.

AINP Strategic Recruitment Stream (closed)

This stream was closed on June 14th, 2018. It is no longer accepting new applications. 

The Alberta Strategic Recruitment stream is currently closed. When it was active, it encompassed a range of immigration streams targeting candidates for Alberta’s labour force. The stream previously contained the following three programs:

• Alberta Compulsory and Occupational Trades
• Alberta Engineering Occupations
• Alberta Post-Graduate Worker

AINP Employer-Driven Stream (closed)

This stream was closed on June 14th, 2018. It is no longer accepting new applications.

The Alberta Employer-Driven stream is currently closed. When it was active, it provided immigration options for applicants who have a valid job offer from an Alberta employer. The stream previously contained the following three programs:

• Alberta Skilled Worker
• Alberta International Graduate
• Alberta Semi-Skilled Worker