Alberta Express Entry Stream (AAIP)

What this page is: a client-friendly summary of eligibility rules for the Alberta Express Entry Stream under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). It explains who can be invited and what to prepare.

Important: Alberta invites candidates to apply from the federal Express Entry pool. You cannot apply directly unless invited through AAIP selection draws or a pathway intake.

Quick Navigation

Quick checklist Minimum requirements Pathways Selection process Language tests Job offer & employer Documents Who cannot apply Official source

Quick checklist

Active Express Entry profile that meets CEC, FSW or FST requirements.
Minimum CRS 300 at application and assessment.
Your primary occupation in Express Entry matches an AAIP pathway/priority and (if applicable) your Alberta job or job offer.
If invited based on a job offer, both you and the employer must meet AAIP job offer & employer rules.
You intend and are able to live and work permanently in Alberta.

Minimum requirements (everyone)

Active Express Entry profile and eligible for at least one federal program: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker, or Federal Skilled Trades.
Minimum CRS score: 300.
Primary occupation aligns with an AAIP pathway or a provincial economic/sector/occupational priority.
If invited with a job offer: meet all job offer & employer requirements, and your primary occupation must be the same as your Alberta employment or offer.

Tip: Keep your Express Entry profile valid. If it expires after you apply to AAIP, you may be asked to submit a new profile that still meets the rules.

Pathways (how Alberta selects)

Dedicated Health Care Pathway

For candidates with an Alberta job offer in eligible health occupations (Express Entry or non-Express Entry options).
Regulatory licensing required for your profession.

Accelerated Tech Pathway

Must be working in Alberta or have a bona fide Alberta tech job offer in an eligible tech occupation with an employer in an eligible tech industry (NAICS).
Primary occupation in Express Entry must match your Alberta job/offer.

Law Enforcement Pathway

Internationally recruited police officers identified by the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police, with an eligible Alberta police job offer.

Priority sectors draws

Targeted occupations that help meet labour needs in construction, agriculture and aviation.
If invited based on a job offer, it must be in an eligible occupation for that sector.

Note: Other selection factors may apply in each draw. Always check the draw notes in AAIP processing info.

How selection works (simple steps)

1

Submit a Worker Expression of Interest (EOI)

To AAIP (free). You cannot apply without an invitation.

2

AAIP selection draws

Alberta ranks EOIs and invites candidates based on scores and provincial priorities (including sectors/pathways above).

3

Invitation to apply

If invited, you have 15 days to start the application and 30 days from start to submit and pay.

4

AAIP assessment

AAIP checks you meet the stream/pathway requirements and the information in your Worker EOI.

5

Nomination

If approved, accept the nomination in your Express Entry profile, then apply to IRCC for permanent residence. You'll receive 600 additional CRS points.

EOI validity: Your EOI is valid for 12 months. Keep it accurate—cancel and re-submit if your situation changes.

Language tests

Upload one valid test per person. Results must be under 2 years old at the time you apply—and still valid when you apply to IRCC.

Accepted for this stream

CELPIP-General
IELTS-General Training
Pearson PTE Core
TEF Canada
TCF Canada

Note: Language minimums come from the federal Express Entry program you qualify under (CEC, FSW, or FST).

Job offer & employer (if invited based on an offer)

Job offer basics

Full-time (≥ 30 hrs/week), continuous, paid, for ≥ 12 months.
Meets minimum wage and starting wage for the occupation (or LMIA wage if applicable).
Signed by you and a legitimate Alberta employer (employee-employer relationship).

Employer basics

Legitimate business providing goods/services in Alberta.
Active operation in Alberta for ≥ 2 full fiscal years.
Generally ≥ $400,000 gross annual revenue and ≥ 3 full-time employees (with limited exceptions and caps).

What makes you ineligible (job/offer)

Part-time, casual or seasonal roles.
Independent contractors, business owners, or temp-agency workers; directors/shareholders/agents of the employer in CORES.
Jobs performed outside Alberta or at non-commercial/industrial locations (e.g., home-based), with limited exceptions noted by AAIP.

Note: Accelerated Tech Pathway has additional rules (eligible occupations and NAICS). Dedicated Health Care Pathway has some contract nuances.

Documents (what to prepare)

Identity & Status

Passports (bio page)
Work permits (if applicable)

Education & Language

Education credentials and ECA (if applicable for Express Entry points/program eligibility)
Language test report (accepted types above)

Employment

Employment reference letters (duties, hours, wages, dates, location, contact info)
Pay stubs and T4s

Job Offer (if applicable)

Alberta job offer/contract
Employer Declaration & Authorization form
WCB clearance letter
Licences/registrations (including AIT trade certificates) where required

Download: Use the official AAIP Document Checklist for the Alberta Express Entry Stream to avoid missing items. Available at Alberta.ca.

Who cannot apply

Primary occupation on the Alberta Opportunity Stream ineligible list.
Refugee claimants or anyone subject to a federal appeal or removal process.
People with an active AAIP nomination or who are banned due to misrepresentation.

Other AAIP Programs

Explore other pathways under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program:

Alberta Opportunity Stream

For workers already in Alberta with valid work permits and job offers in eligible occupations.

Learn more →

Tourism & Hospitality Stream

For temporary foreign workers in Alberta's tourism and hospitality sector with LMIA-based work permits.

Learn more →

Dedicated Health Care Pathway

For health-care professionals with Alberta job offers in eligible regulated professions.

Learn more →

Rural Renewal Stream

For the applicants who are working in eligible rural areas of Alberta.

See all programs →

Official source

Verify details on Alberta's official pages:

This summary simplifies official wording. The government pages control if anything changes.