Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) is an economic immigration program that nominates people for permanent residence in Alberta. Nominees must have skills to fill job shortages or be planning to buy or start a business in Alberta. They must also be able to provide for their families. The program is run by the governments of Alberta and Canada.
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If you are nominated through the program, you may apply for permanent residence status together with your spouse or common-law partner, and dependent children. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada manages applications for permanent residence. The federal government also makes final decisions on these applications.
Workers
The AINP has 2 streams for foreign workers who are living and working in Alberta, or plan to live and work here:
The Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) is for temporary foreign workers who are already working full-time in Alberta and have a full-time job offer from an Alberta employer in an eligible occupation. Candidates must have a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or hold one of the accepted LMIA exemption work permits. Candidates must also meet other minimum eligibility criteria for residency and work permit type, occupation, language, education, Alberta job offer and work experience.
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The Alberta Express Entry Stream allows Alberta to nominate a limited number of qualified candidates from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Express Entry system.
Candidates who have demonstrated strong ties to Alberta or who can help support the government’s economic development and diversification priorities may be asked to submit an application.
International graduates from Canadian post-secondary institutions may also be asked to apply under this stream.
Entrepreneurs
The AINP has 3 streams for entrepreneurs who plan to live in Alberta and buy or start a business in the province:
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International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream:
The International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream (IGEIS) allows Alberta to nominate qualified international graduates from Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to establish or operate a business in Alberta to apply for permanent residence.
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This stream is for entrepreneurs who have the financial resources and farm management experience to establish a new or purchase an existing farm in Alberta.
Candidates must submit their application, along with a proposed business plan, to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) for assessment. The AINP will consult with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry to ensure the business plan is feasible and viable, and meets the needs of Alberta’s agriculture industry.
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Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream:
The Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream (FGSVS) is an economic immigration program for qualified foreign educated graduates from outside of Canada who want to launch start-up enterprises and innovative businesses in Alberta.