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Do you have the dream of settling in Canada? Canada is attracting foreign nationals worldwide with its blooming economy, quality and standard living of life, and most welcoming multicultural society. The Alberta Provincial Nominee Program (AAIP) is the most popular pathway for skilled workers around the world who are willing to work and get settled in Canada. Through the Canadian Permanent Residency route, one can relish their dream of living in Canada. Alberta is the choice of many people as it is a prosperous province which have a high demand for skilled workers around the world. 

Naturally, Applicants will contemplate questions like, “ What is the minimum score for getting nominated in the Alberta Program?

In this Blog, we will discuss how the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program works, the required minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and how you can increase your chances of success to get selected.

Understanding the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program (AAIP)

The Alberta Provincial Nominee Program was previously known as the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP). It is Alberta Province’s crafted pathway for skilled workers to take up the official economic immigration. This facilitates the way to fill the high-demand labour market by selecting the skilled workers worldwide, and also paves the way for permanent residency. 

• Key AAIP Streams
• AAIP have eight streams through which skilled workers or entrepreneurs can apply according to their profile needs. Listed below are the streams:
• Alberta Express Entry Stream

Alberta Opportunity Stream

• Accelerated Tech Pathway
• Rural Renewal Stream
• Alberta Tourism and Hospitality Stream, 
• Dedicated Healthcare Pathway
• Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
• Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

General Eligibility Criteria to apply to AAIP

To get selected under the desired streams of AAIP, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

• The applicant must possess the relevant skills and work experience for the job
• The applicant must have Language proficiency of CLB 4 to 7, depending on the stream.
• The applicant must get a valid job offer from an employer in Alberta for the listed streams.
• The applicant must be ready to live and work in Alberta with full commitment.
• Minimum Score for Alberta Express Entry Stream
• CRS Score Requirement

The minimum CRS Score required for the Alberta Express Entry Stream is 300. This score is comparatively low when matched with the federal draws, hence, it makes more easier and accessible for the Candidates in the Alberta PNP program to participate in the Express Entry.

How It Works

If you have an active Express Entry Profile with a CRS score of 300, Alberta may choose you and grant the Notification of Interest (NOI). If you have a good profile and respond positively to Alberta, you get nominated for Permanent residency.  Getting nominated in this will provide with add-on of 600 points to your CRS. This will result positively in getting the chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

What Influences the Minimum CRS Score?

Remember lower the score higher the competition! The competition is relatively high due to the lower CRS score. Alberta will also carefully choose the applicants based on their eligibility. Here are the factors listed for your reference:

CRS Score Components
The CRS score is calculated based on:

• Applicant’s Age
• Applicant’s Education
• Applicant’s Work Experience in the related field
• Their proficiency in Language through the scores secured in exams like IELTS/CELPIP.
• Applicants must have secure adaptability in Canada, including relations and a valid job offer.

Alberta’s Selection Priorities

• Alberta prioritises immigrate to Alberta candidates who possess the following qualifications:
• Applicants must have a valid job offer from an Alberta employer
• Applicants must have previous work or education experience in Alberta.
• Applicants who have close relatives living in the province.
• Applicants have knowledge and work experience in high-demand occupations like tech, healthcare, or agriculture.

Unlike other provinces, Alberta does not release a list of selected demand occupations of the province, but it gives priority to the candidates of the TEER 0,1,2 or 3 category.

Other AAIP Streams and Their Requirements

Note that not all the streams use the CRS score to select the candidate in AAIP. Some select the candidates with the job offer and submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI).  

Alberta Opportunity Stream

For this stream, it does not need an Express Entry Profile for the skilled workers who already have a job in Alberta. But they must submit the following:

• A valid job offer from an Alberta employer
• Minimum language score
• Document reflecting their education 
• Work experience in an eligible occupation

Dedicated Healthcare Pathway & Tourism and Hospitality Stream

This stream is specially designed for healthcare workers and tourism industry professionals, respectively. Each demands eligibility for their criteria, which includes a license for the work and a job offer from the employer.

Expression of Interest (EOI) Process

If the applicants are not applying through Express Entry Streams, they have to submit the Expression of Interest in the AAIP portal. If the applicant is selected, they should submit the full application.

How to Improve Your Chances for Alberta PNP

1. Boost Your CRS Score

It is important to enhance your CRS score, and it is the most effective strategy to improve your chances. Hence, consider the following to increase your score.

• Retaking language tests (IELTS/CELPIP) to boost the score
• Pursuing additional education is the best way to increase the points.
• Gaining more work experience will increase your chances of selection.
• Obtaining a Provincial Nomination will add 600 points to your profile.

2. Secure a Valid Job Offer

A valid job offer from an employer in the Alberta Province will improve your profile, and you will be considered by the priority sectors, like:

• Information Technology
• Healthcare
• Hospitality and Tourism

3. Strengthen Ties to Alberta

Applicants having any family connections or past education or work experience in Alberta will be given priority, and they may receive the Notification of Interest.

4. Consult with Experts

The process to get a seat in the PNP is complicated, the applicant can get expert guidance from a consultation like Croyez Immigration.

• Step-by-Step Alberta PNP Application Process
• Create an Express Entry Profile for Express Entry streams.
• Submit an Expression of Interest for non-Express Entry streams.
• Receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) or Invitation.
• Submit Full Application to AAIP.
• Receive Provincial Nomination.
• Apply for PR through the IRCC portal.
• Required Documents
• Passport
• Language Test score for tests like IELTS, CELPIP, TEF
• Educational Credential Assessment 
• Alberta Job Offer Letter from the provincial employer
• Proof of Funds to support your stay

Processing Time

It may take 2-3 months to process the nomination, the duration may extend with the Non-Express Entry streams based on the application volume. 

Hope this blog gave a clear breakdown of the eligibility criteria and its requirements for the applicants. The CRS Score is important in the first place; the minimum CRS score for Alberta PNP through the Express Entry Stream is 300. This alone will not help to increase the chance; along with the above spoken criteria is important to strengthen the profile for Alberta immigration.

To better understand the Alberta immigration nominee program, seek expert guidance. Croyez will help to assist with the process smoothly.

Use Canada's Immigration Points Calculator and assess your eligibility. 

Apply Today to know your eligibility!
Good Luck!

FAQs

Q1: What is the minimum CRS score for Alberta PNP?
 A: The minimum CRS score is 300 for the Alberta Express Entry Stream.
Q2: Do all AAIP streams require a job offer?
 A: No, only some streams, like the Alberta Opportunity Stream, require a job offer.
Q3: How long does the Alberta PNP process take?
 A: Express Entry-based streams typically take 2–3 months for nomination.
Q4: Can family members be included in the AAIP application?
 A: Yes, spouse and children can be included in the application.