Alberta Provincial Nominee Program

Are You Considering the AAIP?

We have a proven track record of assisting numerous Nigerians with their Provincial Nominee Program applications. If you’re considering moving to Alberta and require guidance on how to get started, contact us for expert assistance. We can handle all the complexities and provide you with comprehensive support.

Nigerian Emigration

For Nigerian emigration matters, please call +2342013306361 or +44 (0) 3316300929

Other Immigration and Emigration Matters

For immigration/emigration to/from other countries, please call:

US –  +1 844 290 6312

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UK –  (+44) 333 4149244

Overview of the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program

Provincial nominee programs exist all over Canada. The program offered in Alberta is commonly known as the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), but it was formerly called AINP (Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program).

Nigerian citizens with the desired work or entrepreneurial skills can move to Canada through the AAIP. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) offers a limited number of nominations per year, which means this is a competitive program.

There are seven streams that make up the AINP and the specifics of each stream vary. However, there are general factors that remain consistent throughout.

Alberta PNP Cost and Processing Time

The majority of applications cost $500, but streams that require a business plan are $3,500. This applies to the Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream and Rural Entrepreneur Stream.

Most AAIP applications will be processed in 4-6 months via the online portal.

Alberta PNP Eligibility

The eligibility criteria is very different depending on which stream is being pursued. However, all streams require the individual to desire permanent residence in Canada and to meet the specific criteria for work, education and language skills.

For example, language testing in English or French is a part of every stream, but the minimum required score (according to the Canadian Language Benchmarks or Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique) changes.

Applicants who educate themselves on this program are much more likely to produce high-quality applications. Reach out to IAS for advice on AAIP streams to ensure you know exactly how each variation could benefit you as a Nigerian citizen.

Program Streams in the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program

Overview

Workers and entrepreneurs can access AAIP through seven different program streams, though they must be eligible for the stream they apply to.

Checking your eligibility saves time and allows you to obtain permanent residence in Canada much sooner. We recommend contacting an IAS immigration lawyer +44 (0) 3316300929 to get expert advice on the best program stream.

• Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS)
• Rural Renewal Stream
• Rural Entrepreneur Stream
• Farm Stream
• Alberta Express Entry Stream
• Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
• Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS)

The AOS is only available to individuals who are already living and working in Alberta or have graduated from an approved post-secondary education institution in this province.

All applicants must:

• Hold a valid Canadian work permit
• Work full-time in an eligible occupation (this applies to most jobs of levels 0, A, B, C and D under National Occupational Classification [NOC]).
• Have a valid job offer from an employer in Alberta (for full-time, permanent employment in Alberta in the eligible occupation)
• Demonstrate at least 12 months work experience in Alberta in this occupation (within the last 1.5 years) or at least 24 months experience with time shared between Alberta and elsewhere
• Possess a high school diploma from Canada or the origin country (e.g., Nigeria)
• Achieve acceptable CLB/NCLC language scores for the chosen occupation (5 for NOC 0, A and B occupations; 7 for 3413 occupations and 4 for all applicants)

Post-graduates must also:

• Posses a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
• Meet the post-graduate occupation eligibility
• Have completed six months’ full-time work experience in Alberta in the eligible occupation (within the last 18 months)

Rural Renewal Stream

The Rural Renewal Stream is designed to help rural communities in Alberta to attract overseas workers with relevant experience.

Communities must:

• Meet the location requirements (must be outside of certain metropolitan areas e.g., Edmonton and Calgary)
• Be in communication with at least one employer who is willing to offer permanent full-time employment to a candidate
• Have a suitably small population (no more than 100,000 inhabitants)
• Provide the required letters (letter of support from a settlement agency and letter of support from the community or municipal council)
• Upload a signed application from the economic development organisation (with a main focus on economici development) with an economic development plan

Applicants must:

• Have at least 12 months’ full-time work experience in an eligible occupation (within the last 1.5 years)
• Possess a job offer in the community for full-time permanent work
• Meet the minimum education requirements (Canadian high school education or equivalent)
• Hold the required certification, registration and/or licences to work in the eligible occupation in Alberta
• Have sufficient funds to cover the costs of living in Alberta (including funds for family members)
• Provide a letter of endorsement from the nominated community
• Meet the CLB or NCLC language requirements (5 for NOC 0, 1, 2 or 3; 4 for NOC 4 or 5)

Before Nigerian candidates can apply, the rural community must apply for designation. When this is approved, the Nigerian citizen can apply for the scheme with proof of an ‘endorsement of candidate’ letter.

Rural Entrepreneur Stream

This stream is suitable for non-graduate entrepreneurs who want to start a business in Alberta and:

• Have a minimum net worth of $300,000
• Have at least three years’ work experience as a business owner or 4 years’ work experience as a senior manager (within the last ten years)
• Possess language skills equivalent to level 4 of the CLB/NCLC
• Have a Community Support Letter from a rural Alberta community that is part of the Rural Entrepreneur Stream
• Proof of studies up to the equivalent of Canadian high school (and possess an ECA)
• Can invest at least $100,000 from own equity

All businesses that are set up as a result of this scheme must create at least one full-time job for a Canadian permanent resident or citizen.

Nigerian farmers can access this scheme by submitting an EOI on the AAIP portal and awaiting an invitation to send a business application (if successful).

Farm Stream

Nigerian farmers who want to buy or set up a farm in Alberta can emigrate to Canada via the Alberta Farm Stream if they:

• Are financially stable (minimum net worth of $500,000 and the ability to invest at least $500,000 of equity in an Albertan primary production farming business)
• Have a business plan including plans for investment
• Possess proof of farm management skills (education history, financial evidence of existing farm business, funding from a Canadian financial institution etc)

Alberta Express Entry Stream

The main route to the Alberta Express Entry Stream is General Express Entry.

Candidates are selected by IRCC to apply for General Express Entry via a Notification of Interest (NOI) letter. Individuals in Nigeria who have never worked in Alberta, and do not possess a job offer in this province, will not be contacted.

IRCC looks for people with:

• Experience in key sectors relating to labour needs e.g., construction, hospitality, tourism and agriculture
• A job offer from an Alberta employer for an eligible healthcare profession or an eligible tech occupation
• A CLB or NCLC score of 7 (Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class applicants) or 4 (Federal Skilled Trades applicants)

They may prioritise candidates with:

• Family links to Alberta e.g., permanent resident or Canadian citizen relatives
• A degree from an Alberta institution
• Current employment in a field relating to the economic development and diversification of Alberta
• A desire to emigrate to Alberta

Recipients of the Notification of Interest letter must send a copy of the letter to AAIP via email ([email protected]) within two weeks.

This email must include the chosen email address for correspondence, status information about AAIP applications and an Express Entry profile number. The AAIP will then select their preferred candidates and invite them to apply for the stream.

It is also possible to move from Nigeria to Canada via the Accelerated Tech Pathway. The main requirement is a full-time permanent job or job offer in Alberta in an eligible tech occupation.

Eligible candidates for this version of the Alberta Express Entry Stream must submit an online form and await an email of invitation.

Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

This stream is for foreign citizens who have completed at least two years post-secondary education at an eligible institution in Alberta. The AIIP selects entrepreneurial graduates who plan to buy or set up a business in this province.

They must:

• Buy or set up an eligible business in Alberta with 34% ownership
• Work alone or find a business partner(s) who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Possess a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
• Meet the language requirements (CLB/NCLC score of 7)

Eligible candidates can apply to this stream by submitting an Expression of Interest via the AAIP online portal. Successful applications are followed up with an invitation to submit a Business Application.

Approved applications allow candidates to receive a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) from IRCC. When this has been signed, the candidate can legally set up a business in Alberta.

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is similar to the Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, but it is for people who have a degree from an international institution such as Nigeria.

The requirements are:

• A minimum score of CLB 5 or NCLC 7 in the approved language tests (within the last two years)
• At least six months of full-time work experience in business with a business accelerator/incubator or independently
• 34% ownership of business (urban areas) or 51% ownership (regional area outside of Edmonton and Calgary)
• Letter of recommendation from an agency approved by AAIP
• Proof of settlement funds
• A degree from a post-secondary institution with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) (within the last ten years)
• Sufficient business investment (at least $100,000 for urban areas and $50,000 for regional areas)

Along with this, applicants must be ready to submit a business plan (including projected financials) and a 10-minute presentation of the business.

To apply for this stream, applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) on the AAIP portal along with a letter of recommendation from a designated agency in Alberta.

AAIP uses an Alberta PNP points calculator to distinguish between candidates in terms of what they offer (certain eligibility requirements offer more points than others). Individuals with very high scores may be asked to submit a Business Application on the AAIP portal.

How Can IAS Help?

Working with candidates from Nigeria on a regular basis, we know just how stressful it can be to emigrate from Nigeria to Canada. However, our lawyers have a wealth of experience in dealing with Canadian immigration laws and can help provide support for those applying via the Alberta PNP.

Reach out for advice on the next steps towards moving to Canada or guidance on what documents are needed to ensure a successful application from Nigeria.

If you are interested in immigrating to Canada, contact us today to schedule a consultation. We’ll be happy to answer any of your questions and help you get started on the path to success. Get in touch today on +44 (0) 3316300929 to find out how we can help.