Alberta is known to be the wealthiest province in Canada. It is mainly known for its oil fields. The province of Alberta is located in the western region of the country. Alberta is the fourth largest province by population in Canada is claimed to have a growing economy.

With world-class healthcare, excellent education system, low crime rates and tolerant communities, Alberta is the province that many immigration aspirants aim for. Due to its increasing economic demands, Alberta is actively setting up opportunities for skilled and professional workers in the province.

An eligible candidate can easily migrate to Alberta using the Express Entry program and can be nominated for Alberta Provincial Nomination Program.

Alberta Express Entry

There are a number of programs candidates can go for to immigrate to Alberta. One of those programs is the famous Alberta Immigration Nominee Program (AINP). Built after the partnership between IRCC and the government of Alberta, Alberta Immigration Nominee Program is seeking out skilled workers from around the world, who can immediately join the Albertan workforce and benefit the province’s economy.

There are two other ways in which an individual can migrate to Alberta.

First way involves applying directly to immigration Alberta, wherein the individual sends an EOI directly without entering the Canadian Express Entry. If nominated, the individual can then apply for Canada Permanent Residency through Express Entry.

Alternatively, the individual can create a profile directly in Express Entry and show interest in Alberta. If the Province of Alberta nominates the individual, he shall then receive an additional 600 CRS points. This significantly increases the probability of an individual to secure his Invitation to Apply for permanent residency.

Alberta Immigration Nominee Program

The provincial nominee program targets skilled workers who are in high demand in the province. The prospective candidate’s application is fast-tracked to enhance quick immigration. Candidates who are nominated by the government of Alberta can easily apply for permanent residence along with their spouse and children.

Alberta Immigration Nominee Program Categories

The Alberta immigration nominee program is divided into three different categories depending upon skilled and semi-skilled workers:

• The Strategic Recruitment Stream
• The Employer-Driven Stream
• The Self-Employed Farmer Stream

The Strategic Recruitment Stream

The strategic recruitment stream of Alberta immigration Nominee Program allows candidates to apply for permanent residence but does not provide job offer or employer assistance.

The strategic Recruit Stream is further divided into three categories:

• Compulsory and Optional Trades Category
• Engineering Occupations Category
• Post-Graduate Worker Category

The Compulsory and Optional Trades Category

Candidates living and working in Alberta under a work permit can apply for this category if they hold a qualification certificate from Alberta or any other recognized trade certificate.

Here are the basic eligibility criteria to enter the stream:

• Candidate should intend to live and work in Alberta
• Should have a qualification certificate from Alberta or a recognized trade certificate
• Should be living in Alberta while applying for the stream and must hold a valid work permit
• Should have proofs to state that they are currently working for an Alberta employer or have done so for six months in the last 3 years

Engineering Occupation Category

This sub-category is for Engineers, drafters and designers. These candidates can apply in this category if they have previously worked in the province or their job is listed in the 12 specific designated occupations of the AINP Strategic Recruitment Engineering List.

The eligibility for the Engineering Occupation Category is as follows:

• Candidate should intend to live and work in Alberta
• Should have a recent work experience or education as designer, engineer or drafter
• Should have proof that they have a minimum experience of two years working with Alberta employers. Contracts also are considered in this case.

Post Graduate Worker Category

Graduates from a recognized Canadian post-secondary institute of Alberta and working in the province on a valid postgraduate work permit in a nominated occupation can apply for this AINP sub-category.

The eligibility criteria for the postgraduate worker category are as follow:

• Candidate should intend to live and work in Alberta
• Receive necessary qualification from the educational institution attended
• Have a valid postgraduate work permit
• Occupation NOC code should fall under A, B or C
• NOC code level falling under C should provide proof of language proficiency

The Employer-Driven Stream

The employer driver stream allows employers to nominate employees for the AINP program. This also gives some comfort to employees whose work permit is going to expire soon as the employer will support them. This stream also consists of three categories:

• Skilled Worker Category
• International Graduate Category
• Semi-Skilled Worker Category

Skilled Worker Category

In the skilled worker category, the applicant must have a full-time permanent job offer from any Alberta employee. Both the employee and the applicant should be eligible to apply in this Alberta PNP category.

The employer eligibility criteria to apply for this category are as follows:

• The applicant firm must be registered and incorporated employer in Canada and the business should be in operation in Alberta
• The job offer should meet the provincial employment standards
• The candidate should be offered a job offer of NOC code of O, A or B

The eligibility criteria for an applicant in this category are as follows:

• Candidate should demonstrate intent to live and work in Alberta
• The candidate should have appropriate training, experience, certification and education to perform their job in Alberta
• If the applicant is residing in Alberta, they should have a valid work permit
• Should be able to provide legal proofs of living abroad

International Graduate Category

This category applies to graduates who have studied at an eligible Canadian university or post-secondary education institute and is offered a full-time, permanent job by an employer located in Alberta. In this case, both employer and applicant will need to meet criteria.

Employer Eligibility:

• The candidate must be registered and incorporated employer in Canada and the business should be in operation in Alberta
• The job offer should meet the provincial employment standards
• The candidate should be offered a job offer of NOC code of O, A or B

Applicant Eligibility:

• Candidate should intend to live and work in Alberta
• The candidate must have graduated with a degree, certificate or diploma from a registered educational institute in Alberta. The minimum study time is limited to one year
• If the applicant is residing in Alberta, they must have a valid postgraduate work permit
• Should have language proficiency proof if the occupation NOC code falls under the category C.

Semi-Skilled Worker Category

Before employing a prospective candidate, both employee and the applicant are required to meet the criteria to see if they are eligible for the Semi-skilled worker category

Employer Eligibility:

• Employer needs to have a registered business currently based in Alberta
• Must have a business that makes up one of the 5 industries that are viable and eligible under this category
• The job being offered needs to meet the provincial wage and employment standards
• A valid settlement and retention plan must be provided for the employee

Applicant Eligibility:

• The applicant should hold a valid work permit and be currently employed in Alberta in one of the eligible occupations
• A high school equivalent education is required.
• Language proficiency test results must be presented
• Meet the specific requirements for their industry.