AAIP is a nomination program—not permanent residence itself.
Alberta selects candidates who can support its labour market, communities or business economy. A provincial nomination lets the candidate apply to IRCC, but the federal government makes the final permanent-residence and admissibility decision.
8 streams
Four worker streams and four entrepreneur streams.
6,603 nominations
Alberta's 2026 allocation after the additional 200 spaces announced on August 10, 2026.
Invitation first
A Worker EOI is required before any worker-stream application. Alberta draws when needed; there is no fixed draw schedule.
Two federal routes
Express Entry nominations use the federal pool; base nominations use IRCC's non-Express Entry PNP process.
What matters in 2026
- Alberta's stated worker priorities include health care, technology, construction, manufacturing, aviation, agriculture and Rural Renewal communities; the list is not exhaustive.
- A Worker EOI costs $135, is valid for one year and can now be edited without restarting its validity period.
- Wage, hours, NOC, employer NAICS, work-permit and Express Entry details may be used for targeted selection even when they do not add published EOI points.
- Minimum eligibility, a high EOI score or an Alberta job offer does not guarantee an invitation, assessment, nomination or permanent residence.
Start with where the candidate is now.
The fastest way to avoid the wrong stream is to separate candidates already working in Alberta, Express Entry candidates, rural recruits and tourism workers.
| Worker stream | Best fit | Core starting point | Federal route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | Temporary worker already living and working full-time in Alberta | Accepted valid work permit, eligible current occupation, matching full-time Alberta offer and required experience | Base / non-Express Entry |
| Alberta Express Entry Stream | Candidate in the federal Express Entry pool who fits a provincial pathway or priority | Active Express Entry profile, eligibility for CEC/FSWP/FSTP, CRS 300+, matching priority occupation | Enhanced Express Entry |
| Rural Renewal Stream | Candidate recruited for a designated rural Alberta community | Eligible full-time community job offer plus a valid community endorsement letter | Base / non-Express Entry |
| Tourism and Hospitality Stream | Eligible worker already employed by an approved Alberta tourism or hospitality employer | Eligible employer, industry and occupation; qualifying work permit; 6 consecutive months with the same employer | Base / non-Express Entry |
Can someone apply from outside Alberta?
Alberta Opportunity and Tourism and Hospitality are for people already living and working in Alberta. Rural Renewal may accept candidates outside Canada, but the 2026 TEER rules are narrower for people outside Alberta. Alberta Express Entry can select qualifying pool candidates, but current pathways and targeted draws often require a matching Alberta job offer or a specific provincial priority.
Minimum eligibility is different for every worker stream.
The points score decides ranking; these rules decide whether the application can qualify at all. Requirements may need to be met both when the application is submitted and when Alberta assesses it.
Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS)
- Live and work full-time in Alberta in the eligible current occupation with an accepted, valid work permit; maintained or restoration status is not accepted for this stream.
- Have a full-time Alberta job offer in the same current occupation. Most TEER 0–5 occupations are eligible, but the official ineligible-occupation list controls.
- Work experience: normally 12 months in Alberta within the last 18 months, or 24 months in Canada and/or abroad within the last 30 months. Eligible Alberta PGWP graduates normally need 6 Alberta months within the last 18 months.
- Language: CLB/NCLC 5 in each ability for TEER 0–3; CLB/NCLC 4 for TEER 4–5. NOC 33102 requires CLB/NCLC 7 in each ability.
- Education: at least Canadian high-school equivalency, usually with an ECA for foreign education. Alberta PGWP holders must meet the separate institution, credential and field-of-study rules.
Rural Renewal Stream (RRS)
- Have a full-time eligible job offer in a designated community and a community-issued Endorsement of Candidate Letter. The endorsement is valid for one year.
- Candidates living in Alberta with a valid work permit may use eligible TEER 0–5 offers. Candidates outside Alberta but in Canada, and candidates outside Canada, are limited to eligible TEER 0–3 offers under the 2026 rules.
- Usually have 12 months of paid full-time qualifying experience within the last 18 months. A limited exemption applies to qualifying two-year graduates in the designated community.
- Language: CLB/NCLC 5 for TEER 0–3 and 4 for TEER 4–5; education: at least high-school equivalency, normally with an ECA for foreign education.
- Settlement funds apply when the candidate is outside Canada or is in Canada but not working. The amount depends on family size and community population.
Tourism and Hospitality Stream
- Live and work in Alberta for one approved employer in an eligible tourism or hospitality industry and occupation.
- The employer normally needs valid WCB coverage and membership in an accepted sector association, or the specific official exemption evidence.
- Hold the permitted work authorization for this stream. The standard route is an eligible positive-LMIA work permit; other work permits are not automatically accepted.
- Have at least 6 consecutive months or 780 hours of paid full-time work in the eligible occupation with the same employer that gives the job offer.
- Have CLB/NCLC 4 in every ability and at least Canadian high-school equivalency, normally with an ECA for foreign education.
Regulated professions and compulsory trades require the Alberta licence, registration or recognized trade certificate. A job title or foreign certificate alone may not satisfy this requirement.
Alberta Express Entry is one stream with several selection routes.
All candidates need an active federal Express Entry profile, eligibility under CEC, FSWP or FSTP, a CRS score of at least 300, an eligible primary occupation and a genuine intention to live and work in Alberta.
Dedicated Health Care
For eligible physicians, RNs, LPNs, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, clinical social workers and psychologists with a qualifying Alberta health-sector offer and proof they can practise. Express Entry and non-Express Entry options exist.
Accelerated Tech
Requires eligible Alberta tech employment or an offer, an occupation on the pathway list, an employer in an eligible tech NAICS and the same primary occupation in the Express Entry profile.
Law Enforcement
For an internationally recruited candidate identified through an Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police member organization, with an eligible police-service offer and matching primary NOC.
Priority sectors
Alberta may target eligible occupations in construction, manufacturing, agriculture, aviation and other announced priorities. Selection parameters can change from draw to draw.
CRS 300 is a minimum eligibility threshold, not an invitation score. Alberta can consider EOI score, occupation, sector, work permit, job offer, profile expiry, available nominations and application inventory in a draw.
Worker EOI is scored out of 100—but score is not the whole draw.
Every worker-stream candidate first self-declares information in one WEOI. There is no published minimum score to submit, but the candidate must meet at least one stream before entering the pool.
Education
Highest credential and location of the highest Canadian education
Language
Lowest ability score plus bilingual points
Work experience
Total experience and Alberta/other Canadian experience
Age
Maximum for age 21–34
Alberta family
Qualifying parent, child or sibling in Alberta
Alberta offer
Full-time permanent offer plus eligible rural/sector offer
Job location
Outside Calgary and Edmonton CMAs
Regulated occupation
Alberta offer plus recognized licence or trade certificate
Free tool
AAIP Worker EOI Points Calculator
Answer the questions to estimate your score out of 100. English and French are scored separately, and the calculator automatically uses the higher general-language score.
- Only one Worker EOI is allowed. A person cannot also have another Worker EOI, Entrepreneur EOI, draft application or active AAIP application.
- The $135 fee must be paid within 24 hours. The EOI enters the pool only after payment and remains valid for 12 months.
- An EOI can be edited while it is in Submitted status. It leaves the pool during editing and returns after saving; editing does not extend the expiry date.
- An invitation is valid for 15 days. Creating and saving the draft accepts the invitation; the completed application and $1,500 fee are then due within 30 days.
- Alberta may invite a candidate to a stream different from the preferred stream shown in the EOI. The candidate must still meet that stream's full requirements.
Do not confuse a recent invitation score with a stream's minimum eligibility; each draw may use different parameters.
See current Alberta drawsThe employer and job offer can independently make the case ineligible.
The candidate is responsible for confirming that the business and offer qualify. A refused application fee is not refunded when employer requirements are missing.
Established business
Registered or incorporated, actively operating in Alberta for at least two complete fiscal years, with a real Alberta workplace and business activity.
Revenue and employees
Normally at least $400,000 gross revenue in the latest fiscal year and three Alberta full-time/FTE employees. Public and Indigenous employers have stated exemptions.
Smaller employers
A qualifying smaller employer can support a limited number of nominees: one after two years, two after three years and one more for each additional year of Alberta operation.
Need for the position
Supported by the worker's valid TFWP/IMP work permit or reasonable Canadian/PR recruitment evidence where required.
Genuine offer
Signed, paid, full-time, continuous employment for at least 12 months in Alberta, consistent with the business and the selected stream.
Not eligible
Part-time, casual or seasonal work, independent contracting, temporary-agency work and work performed outside Alberta do not qualify.
Employer eligibility is not proven by a business licence or job-offer letter alone. Corporate history, tax/financial records, payroll, workplace, recruitment, wage, duties and the number of supported nominees may all matter.
Four entrepreneur streams—four very different applicants.
Entrepreneur EOI candidates should prove the source and availability of funds, management experience and a realistic Alberta business plan before relying on a points score.
| Stream | Who it is for | Key minimums |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Entrepreneur | Experienced entrepreneur starting or buying a business in a participating rural community | 3 years owner-manager or 4 years senior manager in the last 10; high school + ECA; CLB/NCLC 4; $300,000 net worth; $100,000 investment; community support; ownership and job-creation rules |
| Graduate Entrepreneur | Graduate of an eligible publicly funded Alberta institution | At least 2 years full-time Alberta study leading to an eligible degree/diploma; valid PGWP at EOI; CLB/NCLC 7; establish or buy an Alberta business with at least 34% ownership |
| Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur | Recent foreign degree holder proposing an innovative Alberta start-up | Foreign degree completed within 10 years + ECA; 6 months business/accelerator experience; CLB/NCLC 5; designated-agency recommendation; business plan and pitch; minimum $100,000 urban or $50,000 regional investment |
| Farm Stream | Experienced farm operator investing in Alberta primary production | Farm-management proof, viable farm business plan, at least $500,000 equity investment and $500,000 net worth or access to equivalent funds |
- Rural Entrepreneur generally requires at least 51% ownership for a new business or 100% for a succession purchase; a new business must create at least one qualifying job.
- Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur generally requires at least 34% ownership in Calgary/Edmonton urban areas or 51% in a regional area, plus settlement funds and an approved designated agency.
- Graduate Entrepreneur does not require the business to be operating before AAIP approves the Business Application, but the approved business and performance conditions must later be met.
- Farm Stream is a direct business application process rather than the same entrepreneur EOI route used by the three other entrepreneur streams.
The worker process has linked, short deadlines.
- 01
Confirm a real stream match
Use the official Eligibility Explorer, then read the exact stream, work-permit, occupation, employer, language, education and experience rules.
- 02
Prepare the evidence
Collect language results, ECA, employment records, licences and employer documents before entering the pool. Rural and sector candidates also need their special letters or memberships.
- 03
Submit and pay the WEOI
Complete the form in one session, pay $135 within 24 hours and keep all facts accurate while it is in the pool.
- 04
Respond to an invitation
Within 15 days, either decline and return to the pool or create and save the application for the specific stream offered.
- 05
File the full application
After creating the draft, submit the complete documents and pay $1,500 within 30 days. Payment is due within 24 hours after submission.
- 06
Keep the file current
Report changes through the AAIP portal and respond to requests. Invitation and submission do not guarantee assessment or nomination.
Pay the WEOI fee after submitting the EOI
Worker EOI validity
Accept or decline the invitation
Complete the worker application after creating the draft
Pay the application fee after submitting the application
Standard nomination validity for the federal PR filing
AAIP fees in effect from April 7, 2026
| Service | Alberta government fee |
|---|---|
| Worker Expression of Interest | $135 |
| Any worker-stream application | $1,500 |
| Entrepreneur EOI (Rural, Graduate or Foreign Graduate) | $200 |
| Any entrepreneur-stream application, including Farm | $3,500 |
| Nomination extension or AAIP work-permit support-letter request | $150 |
| Reconsideration request | $250 |
AAIP fees are generally non-refundable once the relevant EOI, application or request is submitted. Federal PR, biometrics, medical, police certificate, language, ECA, translation and professional fees are separate.
Nomination starts the federal stage.
The correct next step depends on whether the nomination is enhanced through Express Entry or a base nomination.
Express Entry nomination
Accept the nomination in the federal profile. It normally adds 600 CRS points; after a federal invitation, submit the electronic PR application.
Base nomination
Apply to IRCC through the non-Express Entry PNP process before the nomination expires, normally within six months.
Status and employment
A nomination is not a work permit. Maintain legal status and required employment, and report material changes to AAIP and IRCC.
Family
A spouse or common-law partner and dependent children may be included in the federal PR application, subject to the federal requirements.
Final decision
IRCC assesses completeness, medical, criminal, security and other admissibility matters and makes the final PR decision.
Changes
AAIP may withdraw a nomination if conditions are no longer met or if false or misleading information was provided.
Common AAIP questions
Is CRS 300 enough for Alberta Express Entry?
No. It is only the published minimum. Alberta still selects according to its pathways, draw parameters, priorities, inventory and available nominations.
Does an Alberta job offer guarantee an invitation?
No. The worker must have a valid WEOI and meet a stream; Alberta may target particular scores, occupations, sectors, locations or status factors.
Can a candidate submit the worker application before being invited?
No. All AAIP worker streams now require a WEOI and an invitation first.
Does nomination mean permanent residence is approved?
No. It allows the nominee to apply federally. IRCC makes the final permanent-residence decision.
Official sources
Verify the current rules at the source.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. AAIP criteria, draw priorities, allocations, eligible occupations, designated communities and fees can change. The official Alberta and IRCC instructions in force when you apply control.