This stream consists of the following two steps:

1. Communities designated by the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) recruit foreign workers directly to address local labor shortages and issue Endorsement Letters to selected candidates.
2. Selected candidates submit a Worker Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Alberta portal. The AAIP conducts selections, and candidates who receive an invitation can submit their application.

• Reside in the designated community; OR
• Reside and work in the community that issued the endorsement letter, with a genuine intention to reside there permanently.

• Have at least 12 months of full-time work experience in an eligible occupation within the 18 months prior to AAIP application.
• Work experience in Alberta or elsewhere in Canada can be combined.

Qualifying work experience must satisfy all of the following requirements:

• Hold valid temporary resident status issued by IRCC.
• Must be paid full-time employment of at least 30 hours per week.
• Work experience gained during co-op terms or internships while studying in Canada cannot be counted. However, co-op work terms completed at an Alberta post-secondary institution as a mandatory requirement for graduation may be counted if holding a PGWP. In such cases, the following conditions apply:
  • Paid full-time work of at least 30 hours per week
  • Work experience gained within Alberta
• Must match the occupation requirements.
• Must align with the TEER category requirements (see the table below for details).

• TEER 0 to 5 occupations: Foreign workers residing in Alberta with a valid work permit
• TEER 0 to 3 occupations: Individuals residing in Canada outside Alberta with a valid work permit, or individuals residing outside Canada

• Must have completed high school education or higher.
• For highest educational credential obtained outside Canada, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from an IRCC-designated organization must be submitted.

Exemptions from Submitting ECA

ECA submission is not required under the following circumstances:

• You hold a degree, diploma, or certificate from a Canadian post-secondary (university/college), technical, or secondary institution that:
  • Is listed as an accredited institution in the “Directory of Educational Institutions in Canada”; OR
  • Is authorized to grant degrees or diplomas by Alberta Advanced Education or a provincial/territorial education authority.
• You hold a valid Alberta Qualification Certificate or a Trade Certificate recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT).

From AAIP application submission through assessment completion, you must hold a genuine job offer or employment contract for an eligible occupation from an employer in a designated community.

• Must be continuous paid employment based on an employer-employee relationship (excluding fee-for-service contracts for medical practitioners).
• Must be full-time employment of at least 30 hours per week.
• Must guarantee employment for a minimum duration of 12 months.
• The primary work location must be situated in Alberta.
• Must meet or exceed provincial minimum wage standards, as well as:
  • Meet or exceed LMIA requirements if applicable; OR
  • If LMIA-exempt, meet or exceed the minimum starting wage for the occupation in Alberta across all industries.

※Non-monetary compensation such as company ownership shares is not included in the basic wage calculation.

• Part-time, casual, or seasonal employment (regardless of weekly hours).
• Freelancers, independent contractors, business owners, employment agency temporary staff, or individuals registered as directors, shareholders, or agents of the Alberta employer on the Corporate Registry (CORES).
• Positions based at locations not zoned for commercial or industrial use (e.g., home-based businesses).
• Positions working remotely from outside Alberta without performing duties at an Alberta location.
• Foreign nationals residing in Canada without valid temporary resident status.

The following criteria must be maintained from AAIP application submission through assessment completion:

• If applying with a job offer in a regulated occupation, you must hold the necessary license/certification. ※For details, refer to the official Alberta Occinfo website.
• If working in a compulsory trade in Alberta, you must hold a valid Trade Certificate issued by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT).
• If working in the child care sector in Alberta, you must hold Level 2 or Level 3 Early Childhood Educator certification.

Individuals meeting any of the following criteria are ineligible to apply under this stream:

• Individuals with an active refugee claim in Canada
• Individuals residing in Canada without a valid work permit

• Date of issuance
• Name and address of the EDO representative
• Applicant’s name and residential address
• Job offer details:
  • Business name
  • Employer name and contact information
  • Work location
  • Job title and job duties
  • Employment duration and terms
• An explanation of how hiring the foreign worker will contribute to the economic growth of the designated community
• Proof of recruitment efforts made to hire Canadian citizens or permanent residents and the results of those efforts
• Name, title, and contact information of the individual issuing the Endorsement of Candidate Letter

• Lawful Business Operation: Must be incorporated or registered under Canadian federal, provincial, or territorial laws, with an established production facility, plant, or business location in Alberta.
• Operating History: Must have been continuously and actively operating in Alberta for at least two full fiscal years immediately prior to application submission.
• Physical Place of Business: Must have a physical business location in Alberta where employees regularly report to work and receive operational direction.
• Genuine Need for Employment (Demonstrated by either):
  • Holding a valid work permit (TFWP or IMP); OR
  • Providing evidence of reasonable recruitment efforts and outcomes to hire Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
• Revenue, Employee Count, and Support Limits (Nomination Cap):
  • Base Requirement: Must have a minimum gross annual revenue of $400,000 in the most recent fiscal year AND employ at least 3 full-time employees in Alberta (two part-time employees totaling 30+ hours/week can count as one full-time employee). ※Independent contractors cannot be counted.
  • Restricted Provisions (If base requirements are not met): Employers unable to meet base revenue/employee thresholds may still participate, but the total number of candidates they can support is limited based on years in operation in Alberta:
    • 2 years of operation in Alberta: Maximum of 1 candidate
    • 3 years of operation in Alberta: Maximum of 2 candidates (+1 additional candidate for each additional operating year)
  • ※Public Employer Exemption: Indigenous, municipal, provincial, or federal public employers are exempt from gross revenue and employee count requirements.
  • ※Note on Employee Departure: Previously nominated candidates who leave the employer continue to count toward the employer’s support allocation limit.