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Litmus Immigration Services Inc.
Litmus Immigration Services Inc.
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Services // Provincial Programs // AAIP - Alberta Advantage Immigration Program //
Provincial Nominee Program

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) — Alberta's provincial nominee program for workers and entrepreneurs

The AAIP nominates skilled workers and entrepreneurs for permanent residence in Alberta. For Express Entry candidates, a provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points — virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply. Our RCIC handles every part of your EOI submission.

Have a quick question about AAIP?

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Overview

What is the AAIP?

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is Alberta's economic immigration program, run jointly by the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada. It nominates people who have the skills Alberta needs — or who plan to start a business in the province — for Canadian permanent residence.

A provincial nomination from the AAIP is one of the most powerful tools in the Canadian immigration system. For Express Entry candidates, it adds 600 points to your CRS score — enough to receive an Invitation to Apply at virtually any draw. For those outside the Express Entry pool, it provides a direct pathway to a permanent residence application.

As of September 30, 2024, worker streams use a new Expression of Interest (EOI) system. You submit an EOI, receive a score out of 100 points, and are selected in periodic draws targeting specific sectors and occupations.

100
max EOI score
points grid
600
CRS boost
via nomination
4
worker streams
+ pathways
4
entrepreneur streams
business pathways

Streams for workers

Which worker stream applies to you?

There are four worker streams plus dedicated pathways for specific sectors. All worker streams use the EOI points system — your score determines your priority in draws. An RCIC can confirm which stream best fits your background and help maximise your score before you submit.

Worker stream

Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS)

The broadest worker pathway. For candidates already living and working in Alberta with a valid job offer from an Alberta employer. The most commonly used stream for temporary foreign workers already in the province who have a continuing offer of employment in a skilled occupation.

Job offer requiredMust be in AlbertaEOI-basedSkilled occupation
Worker stream

Alberta Express Entry Stream

For candidates with an active federal Express Entry profile. AAIP invites candidates aligned with Alberta's economic priorities — including dedicated pathways for healthcare professionals, technology workers, and police occupations. A nomination through this stream adds 600 CRS points, virtually guaranteeing your next Invitation to Apply.

Active EE profile requiredInvitation-basedHealth / Tech / Police
Dedicated pathway

Dedicated Health Care Pathway

Part of the Express Entry stream, but operates as a direct application — no draw invitation required. For qualified healthcare professionals with a job offer in an eligible Alberta health profession. If you're a nurse, physician, pharmacist, or allied health professional with an Alberta job offer, this is your fastest route to nomination.

Direct applicationNo draw neededJob offer requiredHealthcare professions
Worker stream

Tourism and Hospitality Stream

For workers already employed full-time in Alberta's tourism and hospitality sector. Your employer must be a member of a required sector association. If you work in hotels, restaurants, tourism attractions, or related hospitality roles and your employer is sector-association-registered, this stream can earn you extra bonus points on your EOI.

Sector-specificAssociation member employerFull-time in-provinceEOI-based
Worker stream

Rural Renewal Stream

For workers with a job offer in a designated rural Alberta community. Rural communities are formally designated to attract and retain newcomers for local labour shortages — and job offers in these communities earn up to 11 additional EOI points for location and community endorsement. If your job offer is outside Edmonton and Calgary, this stream may give you a significant scoring advantage.

Designated communityUp to +11 pts location bonusRural employerEOI-based

Not sure which stream applies to your job offer or situation?

Many workers qualify for more than one stream simultaneously. The right combination — plus a regulated occupation certificate — can add 15–25 points to your EOI score. A consultation maps your exact pathway before you submit anything.

Book a Consultation →

Streams for entrepreneurs

Alberta's business immigration streams

Four streams are available for entrepreneurs who plan to live in Alberta and start or purchase a business. Each has different requirements around net worth, business experience, and the type or location of the business.

Entrepreneur stream

Rural Entrepreneur Stream

For entrepreneurs who want to start or buy a business in a rural Alberta community. Requires submitting an EOI and receiving a notification of intent to proceed. Designed to bring business investment and entrepreneurship to smaller communities outside Edmonton and Calgary.

EOI-basedRural communityBuy or start
Entrepreneur stream

Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

For international graduates of approved Alberta post-secondary institutions — University of Alberta, University of Calgary, SAIT, NAIT, and others — who want to start or buy a business in Alberta after completing their studies.

Alberta graduateApproved institutionEOI-based
Entrepreneur stream

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

For foreign graduates with a degree from outside Canada who want to launch an innovative start-up in Alberta. Requires working with a designated agency to develop and submit your EOI. Focused on high-growth, innovative business concepts.

International degreeStart-up / innovationAgency-supported
Entrepreneur stream

Farm Stream

For experienced farmers who plan to purchase or start a farm operation in Alberta. The only entrepreneur stream that uses a direct application — no EOI required. Applicants must demonstrate farming experience, financial capacity, and genuine intent to farm in Alberta.

Direct applicationFarming experienceFinancial capacity

EOI Points System

How the AAIP Worker EOI points grid works

Worker stream EOIs are scored out of 100 points across two categories: Human Capital Factors (up to 69 points) and Economic Factors (up to 31 points). Your score determines your position in periodic draws. Here is what each factor is worth:

Education — max 22 pts

Education level + Canadian location

Up to 12 points for your highest credential — doctorate (12), master's (10), bachelor's or trades certificate (7), diploma (4). Plus up to 10 additional points if that credential was earned in Alberta, or 6 points if earned in another Canadian province. Education points are the most commonly miscalculated — especially for international credentials and trades certificates.

22
max pts

Language — max 13 pts

English or French proficiency

Up to 10 points for language — CLB 6 or higher scores 10 pts for English, 8 pts for French. AAIP scores both languages and awards the higher. An additional 3 bilingual bonus points if you score CLB/NCLC 4 or higher in both English and French. Minimum CLB 4 is required to submit an EOI at all.

13
max pts

Work Experience — max 21 pts

Total experience + Canadian experience

Up to 11 points for total work experience worldwide — 12 months or more earns the full 11. Up to 10 additional points for Canadian experience — with Alberta experience scoring highest: 6 months or more in Alberta earns 10 pts, compared to 6 pts for another province.

21
max pts

Age — max 5 pts

Age at time of EOI submission

Ages 21–34 score the maximum 5 points. Ages 35–49 score 4 points. Ages 18–20 and 50 or older score 3 points each.

5
max pts

Family Connection in Alberta — max 8 pts

Qualifying family member in Alberta

8 points if you have a parent, child, or sibling who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, is 18 or older, and lives in Alberta. Points are not awarded for in-laws or more distant relatives.

8
max pts

Alberta Job Offer — max 31 pts

Job offer quality, location, and regulated occupation

Up to 10 pts for a permanent full-time job offer in Alberta. Up to 6 bonus pts for Rural Renewal, Tourism and Hospitality, or law enforcement streams. Up to 5 pts for job offer location outside Calgary and Edmonton CMAs. Up to 10 pts for a regulated occupation with valid Alberta certification or licensure — this is the single most impactful factor many applicants overlook.

31
max pts

Education and regulated occupation points are the most commonly miscalculated factors. International credentials, trades certificates, and Alberta certification status all require careful document review before submission. Claiming the wrong number of points — even unintentionally — can lead to misrepresentation findings with serious consequences. Our RCIC validates your score before your EOI is submitted.

Points estimator

Alberta PNP Score Calculator

Use this calculator to estimate your Worker EOI score before you submit. See your breakdown across all six factors — and find out where an RCIC review could add points to your profile.

0
estimated points out of 100
Education
0/22
Language
0/13
Work experience
0/21
Age
0/5
Family in Alberta
0/8
Job offer
0/31
Education
Language Proficiency
Work Experience
Age
Family Connection in Alberta
Alberta Job Offer

Not sure about your education or occupation points?

Education credentials and regulated occupations are the most misunderstood parts of the EOI grid — especially for international degrees and trades. A one-hour consultation with our RCIC ensures you claim every point you are entitled to.

Book a Consultation →

This tool provides an estimate only. Official points are determined by AAIP upon EOI submission. Point values are based on the AAIP Worker EOI Points Grid (August 7, 2025 version). Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for advice specific to your profile. Litmus Immigration Services Inc. — CICC Member | CAPIC Member.

Professional Support

Why AAIP applications benefit from RCIC support

The AAIP EOI is not just a form — it is a strategic submission. The stream you choose, the points you legitimately claim, and the accuracy of your occupation classification all affect your score and your chances of being selected in a draw.

Stream selection

Choosing the right stream — and the right combination

Some applicants qualify for multiple streams at the same time. An RCIC assesses your full profile — work history, employer, location, occupation — against all active streams to ensure you submit under the most advantageous pathway, with the highest possible score.

Points maximisation

Claiming every point you are entitled to

Education credentials, regulated occupation certificates, and Canadian work experience categories are frequently under-claimed or miscalculated by applicants submitting without help. We review your documents against the full AAIP points grid before anything is submitted.

Accuracy and misrepresentation risk

Errors in your EOI can have serious consequences

Misrepresentation findings — even unintentional ones — can result in multi-year bars from Canadian immigration programs. An RCIC reviews and validates every field in your EOI before submission, protecting you from errors that can be very difficult to reverse.

Book a consultation before you submit your EOI

Our RCIC will assess your eligibility, identify your best stream, calculate your accurate score, and prepare your EOI — so you enter the draw with confidence.

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