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AAIP - Tourism & Hospitality Stream

Easy Guide for Tourism Workers - Last updated:

What this page is: a client-friendly summary of the Tourism & Hospitality Stream of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). It breaks complex rules into easy steps.

Important: You can only apply if you and your current Alberta employer meet all the stream-specific rules below. The official Alberta page controls if anything changes.
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Quick checklist Employer approval Eligible occupations Job & experience Language Education Who cannot apply Documents Official source

Quick checklist

  • You live and work in Alberta in an eligible tourism/hospitality occupation.
  • You have a valid work permit based on a positive LMIA (or an IRCC wildfire special measure noted by AAIP).
  • You have a full-time job offer (≥ 30 hrs/week) from your current employer in the same eligible occupation.
  • You have at least 6 consecutive months (or 780 hours) of full-time, paid work with this employer in the eligible occupation.
  • Your employer is an approved Tourism & Hospitality employer (meets WCB and sector-association/Travel Alberta rules).
  • You meet the language minimum (CLB/NCLC 4 in each skill) and education minimum (Canadian high-school equivalent).

Employer approval (must meet all of these)

WCB industry & coverage

  • Employer's primary business is in an eligible WCB industry (or exempt activity).
  • Provide a WCB clearance letter showing the eligible industry code or exemption.

Examples of eligible industries: museums & zoos, bowling/golf/ski resorts, casinos & arenas, travel agencies/tour operators, restaurants/catering, hotels/convention centres, sports & recreation experiences, hostels/private clubs, and similar tourism services.

Sector association / Travel Alberta

  • Employer must be a member of an eligible sector association (e.g., Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association, Restaurants Canada, Indigenous Tourism Alberta, Canada West Ski Areas Association, Tourism Industry Association of Alberta, etc.).
  • Or if membership isn't possible, employer must be listed as a Travel Alberta Experience Provider and meet Travel Alberta's requirements (documentation needed).

Eligible occupations (NOC 2021)

Your current job and job offer must be in one of these occupations:

54100 — Program leaders & instructors (recreation, sport, fitness)
60030 — Restaurant & food service managers
60031 — Accommodation service managers
62020 — Food service supervisors
62200 — Chefs
63200 — Cooks
64300 — Maîtres d'hôtel & hosts/hostesses
64301 — Bartenders
64314 — Hotel front desk clerks
64320 — Tour & travel guides
64322 — Outdoor sport & recreational guides
65200 — Food & beverage servers
65201 — Food counter attendants & kitchen helpers
65210 — Support in accommodation, travel & facilities set-up
65310 — Light duty cleaners
65311 — Specialized cleaners
65312 — Janitors, caretakers & heavy-duty cleaners
65320 — Dry cleaning, laundry & related occupations

Job & work experience

Full-time Alberta job offer (same employer)

  • Offer must be full-time (≥30 hrs/week), continuous and paid, for 12 months or more.
  • Must be from your current Alberta employer in the same eligible occupation.
  • Wage must meet or exceed LMIA wage (if applicable) or the provincial starting wage for the occupation.
  • Job must be performed on the employer's premises in Alberta (not remote/out-of-province).

Your work experience (with this employer)

  • At least 6 consecutive months (or 780 hours) of full-time, paid work in the eligible occupation.
  • Experience must be with the same employer who is giving you the job offer.
  • For experience in Canada, it must have been authorized by IRCC and done with valid status.

Job offer situations that make you ineligible

  • Part-time, casual or seasonal work (even if hours are high).
  • Independent contractors, business owners or temp-agency workers (including directors/shareholders/agents in CORES).
  • Jobs at non-commercial/industrial locations (e.g., home-based businesses) or performed outside Alberta / virtual roles.

Language (minimum scores & accepted tests)

  • Minimum CLB/NCLC 4 in each skill (English or French) at the time you apply.
  • Accepted tests: CELPIP-General, IELTS-General Training, Pearson PTE Core, TEF Canada, TCF Canada.
  • Results must be < 2 years old on the date you submit the application.

Education

  • Minimum of Canadian high-school equivalent completed by application date.
  • Provide an ECA (highest credential) from a designated organization, unless you have a qualifying Canadian credential or an Alberta-recognized trade certificate.
  • AAIP may ask for an internal assessment (IQAS) to confirm high-school equivalency.

Who cannot apply

  • People without a valid work permit (maintained/restoration status is not accepted at submission).
  • Workers in ineligible job situations listed above (part-time/seasonal, contractors/owners/temp-agency, home-based, remote/out-of-province).

Documents (what to prepare)

Identity & status

  • Passport (bio + expiry/renewal pages)
  • Current Alberta work permit + any past Canadian work permits
  • All LMIA documents (confirmation letter + annexes)

Education & language

  • Diplomas/degrees & transcripts (secondary and post-secondary)
  • ECA for highest credential (unless exempt as noted above)
  • One valid language test report (CELPIP/IELTS/PTE/TEF/TCF)

Employment & employer

  • Pay statements for each pay period in the last 3 months
  • Employment reference letter(s) for your qualifying experience
  • Current Alberta job offer/contract (signed, includes title, wage, hours, duties, location, duration)
  • Employer Declaration & Authorization form (completed and signed by authorized official)

Employer documentation

  • WCB clearance letter (with eligible industry code or exemption)
  • Proof of sector association membership or Travel Alberta Experience Provider listing
  • Business licence (if applicable)
Note: The AAIP may contact your employer directly for additional financial or operational documents.

Application process (step-by-step)

1

Submit Expression of Interest (EOI)

Create an account in the AAIP portal and submit your Worker EOI. This is free. Provide accurate information about your work, education, and employer.

2

Wait for invitation

AAIP conducts regular draws for tourism & hospitality workers. If selected, you'll receive an email invitation to apply. EOIs are valid for 12 months.

3

Submit application

You have 15 days to start your application and 30 days from start to submit and pay. Application fee: $1,500 CAD (non-refundable).

4

AAIP assessment

AAIP reviews your application, verifies eligibility, and may contact your employer. Processing time varies (typically 4-6 months).

5

Nomination & PR application

If approved, you'll receive a nomination certificate. Apply to IRCC for permanent residence through the Provincial Nominee Program (paper-based).

Pro tip: Keep your EOI updated. If your situation changes (new employer, new language test, etc.), cancel and resubmit your EOI to stay accurate.

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 →

Alberta Express Entry Stream

For candidates in the federal Express Entry pool with strong ties to Alberta or priority occupations.

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

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.