Alberta Advantage Immigration Program

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) gives skilled workers, international graduates, entrepreneurs, and farmers a chance to settle in Alberta permanently. The province has created eight pathways, each with its own requirements, to match local needs in both cities and smaller communities. Some options are job-based, while others invite people ready to invest or start a business. A nomination from Alberta is an important step, as it allows applicants to move forward with Canada’s permanent residency process through IRCC.

Eight Options to Immigrate to Alberta

Alberta runs the AAIP through eight streams, grouped into two categories: worker streams and entrepreneur streams. Worker streams are aimed at people with the skills and job experience needed in the province, while entrepreneur streams are for those who want to build or buy a business. Together, these options create several routes to permanent residency.

Worker Streams

• Tourism and Hospitality Stream
• Alberta Opportunity Stream
• Alberta Express Entry Stream (including dedicated pathways for health care, technology, and law enforcement)
• Rural Renewal Stream

Entrepreneur Streams

• Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
• Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
• Rural Entrepreneur Stream
• Farm Stream

As of April 7, 2026, a non-refundable CAD 135 fee applies when you submit a Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI), which is the first step for every worker stream. All other AAIP service fees remain unchanged. For full details, see the official AAIP fee ands program update.

Alberta Opportunity Stream

This path is for temporary foreign workers already working full-time in Alberta in eligible occupations. You must hold a full-time, valid job offer from an Alberta employer, supported either by a positive (LMIA) or an accepted LMIA-exempt permit. Applicants need at least 12 months of Alberta work experience in the past 18 months—or 24 months of full-time work in Canada or abroad over the last 30 months. Post-graduation work permit holders may qualify with just six months of related Alberta experience. An Educational Credential Assessment is required if your education was completed outside Canada, and you must meet the minimum language benchmarks for your occupation. To be considered, you first submit a Worker Expression of Interest. AAIP fees: WEOI CAD 135; application CAD 1,500

Alberta Express Entry Stream

Candidates in the federal Express Entry. pool with a CRS score of at least 300 and some connection to Alberta—such as work experience, a job offer, graduation from an Alberta institution, or a relative in the province—may be invited to apply. Those selected receive a provincial nomination that adds 600 CRS points, which nearly guarantees an Invitation to Apply for permanent residency. This stream also operates dedicated pathways for in-demand sectors, including the Dedicated Health Care Pathway, the Accelerated Tech Pathway, and a pathway for law enforcement occupations. AAIP fees: WEOI CAD 135; application CAD 1,500

Professional hands typing on a laptop beside a stethoscope, symbolizing Alberta's tech and healthcare immigration pathways.

Accelerated Tech Pathway

Part of the Express Entry stream, this route is for tech professionals with a job offer from an eligible Alberta tech employer in one of the recognized occupations. Applicants need an Express Entry profile with a CRS score of at least 300. If eligible, candidates submit an online form for Alberta’s consideration; being selected leads to an invitation to apply for nomination. AAIP application fee: CAD 1,500

Over-the-shoulder view of a tech professional working on a laptop in a modern high-rise office with a city skyline view.

Rural Renewal Stream

This option opens doors for candidates with a full-time job offer from an employer in a designated rural Alberta community, backed by a community endorsement. As of January 1, 2026, the stream operates under updated criteria: each designated community now has an endorsement allocation limit, Endorsement of Candidate letters are valid for one year, endorsements follow a TEER-based model, and foreign nationals applying from within Canada must hold a valid work permit at the time of application and assessment. You also submit a Worker Expression of Interest as part of the process. You can confirm the latest requirements on the Government of Alberta's Rural Renewal Stream page. AAIP fees: WEOI CAD 135; application CAD 1,500

Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

This option is for international graduates of approved Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to start or buy a business in the province. To qualify, you must have completed at least two years of full-time study in Alberta, hold a valid PGWP , and demonstrate language skills at CLB/NCLC 7 or higher. You need to own at least 34% of the business and show an active management role. The process begins with submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI). Fee: EOI CAD 200; application CAD 3,500

Back view of an entrepreneur holding a business plan in a new, sunlit modern office overlooking a city skyline.

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

This stream is designed for graduates from institutions outside Canada who want to launch or acquire a business in Alberta. Applicants must have at least six months of work experience in owning or managing a business, a post-secondary degree (ECA required if obtained abroad), and language ability at CLB/NCLC 5 or higher. A business plan is required, along with a letter of recommendation from a designated agency. Ownership must be at least 34% if the business is in an urban centre, or 51% in smaller communities. Fee: EOI CAD 200; application CAD 3,500

Rural Entrepreneur Stream

This pathway welcomes experienced entrepreneurs who are ready to start or purchase a business in a rural Alberta community (population under 100,000). Applicants must have at least three years of experience as a business owner or four years in a senior management role, meet a minimum CLB/NCLC 4 language requirement, and show a net worth of at least CAD 300,000. Investment and ownership thresholds apply (generally 51% for new businesses, 100% if purchasing an existing business). A community support letter is required before applying. Fee: EOI CAD 200; application CAD 3,500

Farm Stream

Applicants with proven farming experience and the financial capacity to establish or buy a farm in Alberta may apply under this stream. A business plan that shows how the farm will contribute to Alberta’s agri-food sector is required. The Government of Alberta works with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to assess the proposal. While no minimum net worth is listed, applicants must show they can make a significant investment. Fee: Application CAD 3,500

Tourism and Hospitality Stream

This stream is for temporary foreign workers already employed full-time in Alberta's tourism and hospitality sector who hold a full-time job offer from a qualifying Alberta employer in an eligible occupation. You must have a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment(LMIA) and meet the program's occupation, language, education, and work-experience requirements. Like the other worker streams, you begin by submitting a Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI). You can review the full criteria on the Government of Alberta's Tourism and Hospitality Stream page. AAIP fees: WEOI CAD 135; application CAD 1,500

Dedicated Health Care Pathway

Operating under the Alberta Express Entry Stream, this pathway is for qualified candidates with a job offer in an eligible health care profession from an Alberta health sector employer. Eligible occupations include physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and clinical social workers, among others. You must have an Express Entry profile and be able to demonstrate that you meet the licensing requirements of the relevant Alberta regulatory body. Details are available on the Government of Alberta's Dedicated Health Care Pathway page. AAIP fees: WEOI CAD 135; application CAD 1,500

Why Do AAIP Fees Differ?

The Alberta government reviews AAIP fees periodically to keep them in line with the program's administrative costs. Worker streams now involve a CAD 135 Worker Expression of Interest fee (introduced April 7, 2026) plus a CAD 1,500 application fee, reflecting a system that ranks candidates before inviting them to apply. Entrepreneur streams are priced higher (a CAD 200 EOI plus a CAD 3,500 application fee) because they require more extensive review, including business plans, investment capacity, and community or agency endorsements.