ALBERTA EXPRESS ENTRY
Alberta Express Entry
The Alberta Express Entry stream constitutes an integral component of the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), which is a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) under the administration of the province of Alberta. Within this stream, candidates are chosen from the federal Express Entry pool and extended invitations to apply for provincial nomination. It is noteworthy that the precise criteria for selection in this program remain undisclosed, with all candidates in the Express Entry pool being subject to consideration.
Candidates who receive a successful nomination through the Alberta Express Entry stream will receive an invitation to formally submit an application for Canadian permanent residence. This particular stream is harmonized with the federal Express Entry immigration framework. To meet the eligibility requirements for this stream, candidates must possess an active profile within one of the subsequent three Express Entry programs:
1. Federal Skilled Worker (FSW).
2. Federal Skilled Trades (FST).
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
It is essential to note that this program operates solely by invitation, and foreign nationals are not permitted to apply directly. All individuals included in the Express Entry pool undergo automatic evaluation for eligibility for this program upon the submission of their Express Entry profiles. Those candidates who receive invitations will be directly notified through their Express Entry accounts.
Although the precise criteria for selection remains undisclosed, it is stated by the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) that they will prioritize candidates who can demonstrate substantial connections to Alberta and have the potential to contribute to regional economic development and diversification.
Eligibility Requirements
Criteria
Express Entry Profile: Required
Connection to Province: Not Required
Job Offer: Not Required
Language Proficiency: Express Entry Requirement
Level of Education: Express Entry Requirement
Work Experience: Express Entry Requirement
Investment Requirement: Not Required
Express Entry Profile
Alberta Express Entry is in alignment with the federal Express Entry system. To be considered, candidates are required to maintain an active Express Entry profile in one of the following programs: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or Federal Skilled Trades (FST):
1. Federal Skilled Worker: Candidates must possess a minimum of a high school diploma and have at least one year of continuous full-time skilled work experience. Work experience is deemed skilled if it falls under National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, or B. Candidates must also demonstrate language proficiency in English or French that corresponds to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7.
2. Canadian Experience Class: There is no specific minimum education requirement for this program. CEC candidates must, however, possess at least one year of full-time Canadian skilled work experience. This work experience need not be continuous but should have been acquired within the three years preceding the application. Work experience is considered skilled if it falls under NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B. Candidates must also demonstrate language proficiency in English or French consistent with CLB level 7 for work experience acquired at NOC Skill Level 0 or A, and CLB level 5 for work experience acquired at NOC Skill Level B.
3. Federal Skilled Trades: Candidates must hold the appropriate licensing or certification to practice their trade in a Canadian province or territory or possess an offer for full-time employment lasting a minimum of 12 months. Additionally, all FST candidates must demonstrate language proficiency at least equivalent to CLB level 4 in either English or French.
Language Proficiency
For all candidates, it is imperative to exhibit language proficiency in English or French, corresponding to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) requirements established for their respective programs. Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class candidates must attain a CLB 7 test score, while Federal Skilled Trades candidates must achieve a CLB 4 test score.
Application Procedure
The Alberta Express Entry stream operates exclusively through an invitation-based system. To initiate the application process for this stream, individuals who satisfy the minimum eligibility criteria must first create an Express Entry profile. Following this, they must await the issuance of a Notification of Interest (NOI) from the province of Alberta.
It is important to note that meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee the receipt of an invitation from Alberta. The province of Alberta meticulously assesses Express Entry profiles and establishes contact only with those candidates it deems potentially suitable for provincial nomination. Only individuals contacted by Alberta are eligible to proceed with the submission of an application to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP).
Upon receiving an NOI, applicants will be provided with a stringent deadline for submitting a comprehensive application to the AINP. If the province approves the application, Alberta will formally notify the applicant of their selection for provincial nomination. This notification will be dispatched to the applicant’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) online account. Subsequent to the acceptance of the provincial nomination, the applicant’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will experience a remarkable increase of 600 points, effectively ensuring their receipt of an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence in the forthcoming Express Entry draw.
Following the reception of an ITA, the applicant must diligently prepare and submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence within the stipulated timeframe. Applications for permanent residence processed via the Express Entry system generally undergo completion within a duration of six months.
