Immigrant Nominee Program

The AINP is an economic immigration program operated by the Government of Alberta with the Government of Canada’s department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It supports Alberta's economic growth by attracting and retaining work-ready immigrants to the province.

Individuals nominated by the Government of Alberta, together with their spouse/common-law partner and dependent children, can apply for permanent residence through IRCC as aprovincial nominee. IRCC makes final decisions on all permanent resident applications.

The AINP offers options for both skilled and semi-skilled workers. You may be able to apply on your own, or with your employer. Review the streams and categories below and choose the best option for you. Also review who is not eligible.

AINP nominations will not be issued for the purpose of obtaining temporary work permitextensions. See the FAQ section for more information.

Reminder:
You must maintain a valid work permit throughout the AINP application and assessment process. Only applicants under the Strategic Recruitment Stream Engineering Occupations Category are exempt from this requirement. At the time of assessment, you must provide theAINP with a valid work permit or implied status based on either:

• a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
  or

• a LMIA exemption as determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Some LMIA exemptions from IRCC are not eligible under AINP. The AINP will not consider the following exemptions:

• international students studying in Canada and doing co-op work placements or internships as part of their study program

• people doing charitable or religious work

• people who need to support themselves while they are in Canada, such as those waiting on a refugee claim

In addition, you must meet all criteria for the category under which you applied. See the FAQsection for more information.

AINP Streams and Categories Accepting Applications

Application requirements differ depending on the stream and category. Read more about each available stream and category below.

Strategic Recruitment Stream

Apply on your own (without an employer) under one of three different category options:

• Compulsory and Optional Trades Category

You may qualify if you are a temporary foreign worker and have a valid trade certificate in a compulsory or optional trade in Alberta issued or recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT). Learn more: Compulsory and Optional Trades Category

• Engineering Occupations Category

You may qualify if you are a temporary foreign worker and have Alberta work experience in an eligible engineering occupation. Learn more: Engineering Occupations Category

• Post-Graduate Worker Category

You may qualify, if you have a Post-Graduation Work Permit, are currently working in Alberta, and have graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in Alberta. Changes were made to this category on September 27, 2013. Learn more: Post-Graduate Worker Category

Employer-Driven Stream

Apply with your employer under one of three different category options:

• Skilled Worker Category

You may qualify, if you have been offered a permanent and full-time job by an Alberta employer in an eligible skilled occupation. Learn more: Skilled Worker Category

• International Graduate Category

You may qualify if you recently graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada, have a Post-Graduation Work Permit, and have been offered a permanent and full-time job by an Alberta employer in an eligible occupation. Learn more: International Graduate Category

• Semi-Skilled Worker Category

You may qualify for nomination if you have been offered a permanent and full-time job by an Alberta employer in an eligible semi-skilled occupation, and you are atemporary foreign worker

Only select key industries and occupations are eligible in this category, and all candidates must meet minimum language standards. Learn more: Semi-Skilled Worker Category

Self-Employed Farmer Stream

You may qualify if you have the financial resources and farm management experience to purchase and establish a farm in Alberta. Learn more: Self-Employed Farmer Stream

Who is not eligible?

The following are not eligible to apply to the AINP:

• Clergy, Elementary and Secondary School Teachers, Professional Athletes and Dental Laboratory Bench Workers

• Refugee claimants, or individuals involved in a federal appeal or removal process. It is not the mandate of the AINP to intervene in the federal refugee claim, appeal or removal process

• Live-in Caregivers currently living in Canada

• Temporary Foreign Workers working and residing in a province other than Alberta

• International students studying in Canada and doing co-op work placements or internships as part of their study program