What this page is: a client-friendly summary of the Rural Renewal Stream of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). This stream helps designated rural Alberta communities attract and retain foreign workers.
Key requirement: You must have an Endorsement letter from a Designated Community in rural Alberta and a full-time job offer in that community.
Who can apply
This stream is open to three types of applicants:
Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs)
Currently working in Alberta or elsewhere in Canada with valid temporary resident status.
International candidates
Not yet living or working in Canada but have been recruited by a designated community.
EMPP Refugees
Refugees living outside Canada with a referral letter from an EMPP Referral Partner (Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot).
Who cannot apply
- Refugee claimants already in Canada.
- Foreign nationals living or working in Canada who do not have valid temporary resident status.
Community endorsement requirement
At the time your application is submitted and assessed, you must have a valid Endorsement letter issued by the Economic Development Organization (EDO) of your designated rural community.
What the letter must include:
- Name and address of the EDO supporting the application
- Your full name and residential address
- Job offer details: business name, employer info, location, position, job duties, duration, work conditions
- Description of how filling your position aligns with community economic growth
- Employer's efforts to fill the position within Canada and outcomes
- Name, title and contact info of the person issuing the letter
2-step process: First, the community recruits you and provides an endorsement letter. Then, you submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to AAIP and wait for an invitation to apply.
For EMPP Refugee applicants only:
You must also have a Referral Partner letter from one of these EMPP partners:
- FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance
- Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)
- International Rescue Committee
- JumpStart Refugee Talent
- RefugePoint
- Talent Beyond Boundaries
- TalentLift
- World University Service of Canada (WUSC)
Occupation requirements (NOC 2021)
Most occupations in TEER 0-5 are eligible. Use IRCC's Find your NOC tool to confirm your occupation.
Ineligible occupations
The following occupations are NOT eligible for this stream:
| NOC Code |
TEER |
Occupation |
| 00010 | 0 | Legislators |
| 60040* | 0 | Escort agency managers, massage parlour managers |
| 41100 | 1 | Judges |
| 51111 | 1 | Authors and writers (except technical) |
| 51122 | 1 | Musicians and singers |
| 42200* | 2 | Justices of the peace |
| 53121 | 3 | Actors, comedians and circus performers |
| 53122 | 3 | Painters, sculptors and other visual artists |
| 53124 | 3 | Artisans and craftspersons |
| 53200 | 3 | Athletes |
| 33100* | 3 | Dental laboratory bench workers |
| 44100 | 4 | Home child care providers |
| 44101 | 4 | Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations |
| 64321 | 4 | Casino Occupations |
| 55109 | 5 | Other performers |
| 65229 | 5 | Other support occupations in personal services |
| 85101 | 5 | Harvesting Labourers |
Job offer requirements
You must have a full-time job offer or employment contract from an Alberta employer in your designated community.
Job offer must:
- Be full-time (minimum 30 hours/week)
- Be for at least 12 months
- Be in an eligible occupation (not on the ineligible list above)
- Be from an established business operation in your designated community
- Meet all Alberta job offer and employer requirements
Ineligible job situations
- Part-time, casual or seasonal employees (regardless of hours worked)
- Independent contractors, business owners or temporary agency workers
- Directors, shareholders or agents of the employer in CORES
- Jobs at non-commercial/industrial locations (e.g., home-based businesses)
- Jobs performed outside Alberta (virtual/telecommuting roles)
Qualifying work experience
Standard applicants (TFWs & International)
- Minimum 12 months full-time work experience in an eligible occupation
- Within the last 18 months prior to application
- Can be a combination of experience in Alberta, Canada (outside Alberta), or abroad
EMPP Refugee applicants
- Minimum 12 months full-time work experience in an eligible occupation
- Within the last 10 years prior to application
Work experience must:
- Be paid, full-time employment (minimum 30 hours/week)
- Meet TEER category requirements (see table below)
- Be authorized by IRCC with valid status (if gained in Canada)
- NOT be gained while studying in Canada (co-op/internships), unless you're a PGWP holder who completed paid full-time co-op terms at an Alberta institution
TEER category matching requirements:
| If your job offer is TEER: |
Your work experience must be TEER: |
| TEER 0 | TEER 0 or 1 |
| TEER 1 | TEER 0, 1 or 2 |
| TEER 2 | TEER 1, 2, 3 or 4 |
| TEER 3 | TEER 1, 2, 3 or 4 |
| TEER 4 | TEER 2, 3, 4 or 5 |
| TEER 5 | TEER 5 (same NOC code) |
PGWP exemption: Post-Graduation Work Permit holders who completed a 2-year post-secondary program at an IRCC designated learning institution in their designated community are NOT required to meet the 12 months of work experience criterion.
Language requirements
| NOC TEER Category |
CLB (English) |
NCLC (French) |
| TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 | Minimum 5 in each skill | Minimum 5 in each skill |
| TEER 4 or 5 | Minimum 4 in each skill | Minimum 4 in each skill |
Accepted language tests:
- CELPIP-General
- IELTS-General Training
- Pearson PTE Core
- TEF Canada
- TCF Canada
Important: Official test results must be less than 2 years old at the time you submit your application. AAIP will not accept confirmation of registration to take a test.
Education requirements
You must have completed a minimum of Canadian high-school equivalent education.
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
You must provide an ECA from an IRCC-designated organization for your highest level of education.
You do NOT need an ECA if:
- You are an EMPP applicant
- You have a Canadian degree, diploma or certificate from a recognized/authorized Canadian institution
- You have a valid Alberta Qualification Certificate or trade certificate recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT)
Note: AAIP may request an ECA or seek an internal assessment from IQAS or Advanced Education to confirm you meet the minimum requirement.
Settlement fund requirements
You must demonstrate sufficient funds to support yourself and your family if:
- You are not residing in Canada, OR
- You are currently in Canada but not working
Exemption: EMPP applicants do not need to meet settlement fund requirements.
Minimum settlement funds (in CAD):
| Family Members |
Pop. < 1,000 |
Pop. 1,000 - 30,000 |
Pop. 30,000 - 99,999 |
| 1 | $8,922 | $10,151 | $11,093 |
| 2 | $11,107 | $12,636 | $13,810 |
| 3 | $13,655 | $15,534 | $16,977 |
| 4 | $16,579 | $18,861 | $20,613 |
| 5 | $18,803 | $21,392 | $23,379 |
| 6 | $21,208 | $24,127 | $26,367 |
| 7 | $23,611 | $26,861 | $29,356 |
| Each additional | $2,404 | $2,735 | $2,989 |
Funds requirements:
- Must be unencumbered and readily available to you
- Real estate, jewelry, cars and personal assets are NOT eligible
- Can include money in joint accounts with spouse
- Must be available at application and assessment
- You must prove you can legally access the funds when you arrive in Alberta
Required documentation:
Official letters from banks/financial institutions on letterhead showing:
- Contact information of the institution
- Your name
- All outstanding debts (credit cards, loans)
- Account numbers and opening dates
- Current balance of each account
- Bank statements (last 3 months transactions, 6-month average balance)
Licensing, registration & certification
At application submission and assessment, you must have the required licensing, registration or certification to work in your occupation in Alberta.
- Check occupation-specific requirements on the ALIS website
- If working in a compulsory trade, you need a valid Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Trade (AIT) recognized trade certificate
- If working as a childcare worker, you need valid certification as Level 2 or Level 3 Early Childhood Educator
Application process (step-by-step)
1
Community designation & recruitment
A designated rural community recruits you and provides an Endorsement letter. (EMPP refugees also receive a Referral Partner letter.)
2
Submit Expression of Interest (EOI)
Create an account in the AAIP portal and submit your Worker EOI. This is free.
3
Wait for invitation
AAIP conducts selection draws. If selected, you'll receive an email invitation to apply.
4
Submit application & pay fee
You have 15 days to start and 30 days from start to submit. Application fee: $1,500 CAD (non-refundable).
5
AAIP assessment → Nomination → PR
If approved, you'll receive a provincial nomination certificate. Apply to IRCC for permanent residence through the Provincial Nominee Program.
Pro tip: Work closely with your designated community's Economic Development Organization throughout the process. They are your primary support.
Official source
This summary simplifies official wording. The Government of Alberta pages control if anything changes.
Prepared for clients in plain language. This page is not legal advice.