Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program
Note: The planned changes, including the January start date, will be postponed in order for government to continue conversations with affected stakeholders. However, the goal remains the same – to better position foreign workers in Alberta for long-term success under standards that will meet the federal government’s requirements. Further updates will be announced in the new year. Prospective applicants can continue to apply under the existing streams into the New Year.
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) is an economic immigration program operated by the Government of Alberta with the Government of Canada’s department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It supports Alberta’s economic growth by attracting and retaining work-ready people to the province.
How does it work?
Individuals nominated by the Government of Alberta, together with their spouse/common-law partner and dependent children, can apply for permanent residence through IRCC as a provincial nominee. IRCC makes final decisions on all permanent resident applications.
The AINP offers options for both skilled and semi-skilled workers. You may be able to apply on your own, or with your employer. Review the streams and categories below and choose the best option for you. Also review who is not eligible.
AINP nominations will not be issued for the purpose of obtaining temporary work permit extensions.
Reminder:
You must maintain a valid work permit throughout the AINP application and assessment process. Only applicants under the Strategic Recruitment Stream Engineering Occupations Category are exempt from this requirement. At the time of assessment, you must provide the AINP with a valid work permit or implied status based on either:
- a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or
- a LMIA exemption as determined by IRCC
- Some LMIA exemptions from IRCC are not eligible under the AINP. The AINP will not consider the following exemptions:
- international students studying in Canada, including students doing co-op work placements or internships as part of their study program
- people doing charitable or religious work
- people who need to support themselves while they are in Canada, such as those waiting on a refugee claim
In addition, you must meet all criteria for the category under which you applied.
Application requirements differ depending on the stream and category. Read more about each available stream and category below.
AINP Streams and Categories Accepting Applications
The following are not eligible to apply to the AINP:
- Clergy, Elementary and Secondary School Teachers, Professional Athletes and Dental Laboratory Bench Workers
- Refugee claimants, or individuals involved in a federal appeal or removal process. It is not the mandate of the AINP to intervene in the federal refugee claim, appeal or removal process.
- Live-in Caregivers currently living in Canada
- Temporary Foreign Workers working and residing in a province other than Alberta
- International students studying in Canada, including students doing co-op work placements or internships as part of their study program.