Alberta PNP Program
Alberta is a wonderful Canadian province and a home to few world class cities, including Edmonton- the provincial capital and Calgary. If you have plans to move to Alberta, Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) is the immigration program you need to apply.
The Alberta PNP program operates in coordination with the federal government of Canada and nominates the suitable immigrants for Canada PR as per annual nomination quota allocated by the Federal government of Canada. Alberta PNP is one of the best pathway to get Canadian permanent residency, as it require relatively low CRS score from the applicants, i.e. as low as just 300 CRS points in the periodic draws of its Express Entry aligned stream.
Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) changes
Alberta has removed few old streams and introduced some new streams as well. Find below the latest active streams of AINP:
- Alberta Opportunity Stream
- Alberta Express Entry Stream
- Self-Employed Farmer Stream.
The Alberta Opportunity Stream has replaced the existing Employer-Driven Stream and Strategic Recruitment Stream. Also there are some changes in language requirements, which are applicable from January 1, 2020, i.e.
- If you are working in a NOC 0, A or B occupation, you need to fulfil a minimum of CLB 5 for each English or French language skill at the time of application.
- If you are working in a NOC C or D occupation, there are no planned changes to language requirements. The minimum of CLB 4 for each English or French language skill at the time of application will continue to apply.
Introduction of AINP- Express Entry aligned stream
The Alberta Express Entry Stream is newly introduced yet the most popular stream of AINP. To apply in the EE stream, an applicant need to have profile registered in Federal Express Entry System under any of the three categories of EE system, i.e. Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades and Canadian Experience Class. The province of Alberta access the Express Entry pool and issue Notification of Interest (to apply in AINP- EE stream) to the applicants found suitable for EE stream.
How does it work?
The applicants first need to register their profile in federal express entry system. The AINP will explore the profiles in EE pool and issue notification of interest to the applicants found eligible. The applicants will then apply in the relevant Express entry stream of AINP. Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program will assess the submitted profiles and subsequently, issue the Invitation to Apply for provincial nomination.
Key Requirement Alberta Express Entry Stream assessment criteria
You can apply in AINP, if you meet the following criteria. To be considered for nomination you must:
- Have an active Express Entry profile in the federal Express Entry pool
- Fulfil the parameters of at least one of the federal immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades and Canadian Experience Class
- Willing to and be able to live and work in Alberta
- Be working in an occupation that supports Alberta’s economic development and diversification
- Have a minimum CRS score of 300.
Following features of your profile may increase your chances of being nominated:
- Valid Alberta job offer and/or work experience
- A graduate of an Alberta post-secondary institution with a valid Alberta job offer, or
- Parent, child, brother and/or sister who is a permanent resident living in Alberta, or a Canadian citizen living in Alberta.
The Alberta Points Calculator
| Factors | Points |
|---|---|
| Education | 25 |
| Language Skills | 28 |
| Work Experience | 15 |
| Age | 12 |
| Arranged Employment | 10 |
| Adaptability | 10 |
Factor 1: Education
| Level of Education | Points |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Level | 25 |
| Master`s level or professional degree | 23 |
| 2 or more post-secondary credentials, one of which is a three-year or longer post-secondary credential | 22 |
| 3 year or longer post-secondary credential | 21 |
| 2 year post-secondary credential | 19 |
| 1 year post-secondary credential | 15 |
| Secondary school | 5 |
Factor 2: Language Skills
| Proficiency | Level | Points |
|---|---|---|
| First Official Language | ||
| Speaking/Listening/Reading/Writing | Intermediate IELTS 6/6/6/6 | 4 pts/ability |
| Speaking/Listening/Reading/Writing | High intermediate IELTS 6.5/7.5/6.5/6.5 | 5 pts/ability |
| Speaking/Listening/Reading/Writing | Advanced IELTS 7/8/7/7 | 6 pts/ability |
| Speaking/Listening/Reading/Writing | Spouse/partner’s official language (CLB4) IELTS 4/4.5/3.5/4 | 5 pts |
| Maximum | 24 | |
| Second Official Language | ||
| Speaking/Listening/Reading/Writing | CLB/NCLC 5 in all abilities IELTS 5/5/4/5 | 4 |
| Maximum | 4 | |
| *Listening, reading, speaking, writing | ||
Factor 3: Work Experience
| Work Experience | Points |
|---|---|
| 1 year (Minimal threshold) | 9 |
| 2 to 3 years | 11 |
| 4 to 5 years | 13 |
| 6 years or more | 15 |
Factor 4: Age
| Age of Applicant | Points |
|---|---|
| 18 to 35 | 12 |
| 36 | 11 |
| 37 | 10 |
| 38 | 9 |
| 39 | 8 |
| 40 | 7 |
| 41 | 6 |
| 42 | 5 |
| 43 | 4 |
| 44 | 3 |
| 45 | 2 |
| 46 | 1 |
| 47 and over | 0 |
Factor 5: Arranged Employment
| The Applicant | And | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Candidate is currently working in Canada on an LMIA-based work permit and his or her work in Canada is considered “skilled” (NOC 0, A, or B level). | The work permit is valid when a permanent residency application is made* and The employer has made a permanent, full-time skilled job offer to the applicant. *At the time the permanent resident visa is issued, the applicant is expected to hold a validated work permit. |
10 |
| Candidate is currently working in Canada on an LMIA-exempt work permit or a work permit issued under a provincial/territorial agreement. | The work permit is valid when a permanent residence application is made* and
The employer has made a permanent, full-time skilled job offer to the applicant. |
10 |
| Candidate does not hold a valid work permit and is not otherwise authorized to work in Canada. | A prospective employer has made a permanent, full-time skilled job offer to the applicant; and
The offer of employment has received a positive LMIA |
10 |
| Candidates holds a valid work permit or is otherwise authorized to work in Canada, but does not fall under one of the two above scenarios. | The work permit or authorization is valid when a permanent residence application is made; A prospective employer has made a permanent, full-time skilled job offer to the applicant; and The offer of employment has received a positive LMIA |
10 |
Factor 6: Adaptability
| Adaptability | Points |
|---|---|
| PA previous work in Canada (minimum 1 year NOC O, A, B) | 10 |
| Previous study in Canada | 5 |
| Previous study in Canada – accompanying spouse/partner | 5 |
| Previous work in Canada – accompanying spouse/partner | 5 |
| Arranged employment in Canada | 5 |
| Relative in Canada – 18 years or older | 5 |
| Language ability CLB 4 or above – accompanying spouse/partner (IELTS 4/4.5/3.5/4) | 5 |