Last Updated:September 30, 2026
Supervised by Yuki Shiraishi (Immigration Consultant)
What is the Alberta Express Entry stream?
Through the Express Entry system, Alberta can nominate a limited number of qualified candidates for permanent residency. This stream also includes dedicated pathways for health care professionals and tech workers.
Priorities for the Alberta Express Entry stream
Selection criteria for the Alberta Express Entry Stream
Eligibility
Candidates may receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) letter, which is an official notice from Alberta indicating its interest in nominating a specific candidate for immigration, or may be asked to submit an application if they meet any of the following criteria.
- Dedicated Health Care Pathway: You have a job offer in the health care sector from an Alberta employer and are licensed in a health care occupation that can be practised under the Dedicated Health Care Pathway. Expedited processing applies.
- Accelerated Tech Pathway: You have a job offer from an Alberta employer in an eligible tech occupation under the Accelerated Tech Pathway, and you work in an eligible tech industry. You must submit the Accelerated Tech Pathway web form as the first step. Expedited processing applies.
- Law Enforcement Pathway: You have a job offer in an eligible occupation under the Law Enforcement Pathway from a member of the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police. Expedited processing applies.
- Priority sectors: You have the experience needed to support the labour needs of key sectors, including agriculture, construction, and aviation.
Factors that increase your chances of selection:
You are more likely to receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) or priority consideration from the province in the following cases.
- You have a job offer in Alberta.
- You have graduated from a post-secondary institution in Canada.
- You have a parent, child, or sibling who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Alberta.
- French is your first language.
- Your Express Entry profile is valid for at least five more months.
Alberta Express Entry Stream Minimum Requirements
- Must meet the eligibility criteria for at least one of the federal programs—Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades—and have an active profile in the Express Entry pool.
- The primary occupation selected in your Express Entry profile must be included in an Alberta Express Entry Stream pathway or designated by the province as a priority sector for economic, industrial, or occupational development.
- Must intend and plan to reside in Alberta.
- Must have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300 in Express Entry.
- If you receive an invitation based on having a job offer in Alberta, you must also meet the job offer requirements and employer criteria.
Application process for the Alberta Express Entry Stream
The application method changed on September 30, 2024, with the introduction of the EOI system: Introduction of EOI System to Alberta Advantage Immigration Program [Registration starts September 30, 2024]
01Meet the eligibility requirements for one of the federal immigration programs
You must meet the eligibility requirements for at least one of the following: Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades.
02Register for Express Entry
Once you meet the requirements, you need to create an online account and register your profile in Express Entry.
03Points are calculated, and you enter the selection pool
Based on your profile registration, points will be calculated, and you will enter the Express Entry selection pool.
04Submit Expression of Interest (EOI) through the AAIP portal
Register your profile in the EOI online system on the AAIP portal. The information provided will be scored based on the EOI points grid. Once submitted, you will enter the selection pool, where selections will be made based on your score, the province’s labor market needs, and the number of available spots in each stream.
05Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from Alberta
The AAIP processing office regularly conducts draws and issues ITAs to the highest-scoring applicants. Those who receive an ITA by email will also receive instructions for the next steps.
06Complete the AAIP online application
After receiving the ITA, applicants must complete the online application through the AAIP portal. The application fee is $1,500.
07Receive a Nomination Certificate from the province
After the AAIP processing office completes the assessment, the applicant will be notified of the outcome. If successful, the applicant will be “nominated.”
08Update your profile
Once you are nominated by the province, you will be asked in your Express Entry account with IRCC to confirm whether you accept the nomination. Accepting the nomination adds 600 points to your profile.
09Receive an ITA from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
An ITA grants you the right to submit your permanent residence application. Once you receive the ITA, you can proceed with submitting your application for permanent residence. The immigration office conducts regular draws to select candidates with the highest scores from the pool. If you don’t receive an ITA, you will remain in the pool for up to one year.
10Apply for permanent residence to IRCC
If you receive an ITA through Express Entry (in a draw for candidates who have received the additional 600 points as provincial nominees), you must submit your permanent residence application online (Provincial Nominee Class) through your own Express Entry account with IRCC within 60 days of being nominated.
11Review by IRCC
Once the permanent residence application has been submitted and IRCC has completed its review, the applicant will be issued a letter called the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR), and the review of the permanent residence application is complete.
12Landing
Once the permanent residence application is approved, applicants who are in Canada will be able to download their CoPR (virtual landing). Your status becomes permanent resident (PR) the moment you download the CoPR. Applicants who are outside Canada must complete the process to receive their CoPR by mail and must arrive in Canada before their visa expires.
13Receive your Permanent Resident (PR) card
A few months after landing, your PR card will be delivered to your designated address in Canada.
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Immigration Consultant
Yuki Shiraishi
Born in Japan. After earning a Bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, she worked for six years in New York as a marketing consultant at a major travel agency, while also studying in an MBA program at the City University of New York. After returning to Japan, she managed the visa center of the same travel company, handling various international visa applications for foreign clients.
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