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AAIP - Alberta PNP - Alberta Express Entry (AEE) Stream
The only PNP stream of Alberta aligned with Express Entry that will get you an additional 600 points
Home > Permanent Residence > Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) > Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) > AAIP - Alberta Express Entry (AEE) Stream
The guide below takes a deep look into one of the streams of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Nominee Program (AAIP), the Alberta Express Entry (AEE) stream. The guide will go through an overview of the stream, its eligibility requirements, how it works, the documentation needed, its cost and processing times.
Overview of the Alberta Express Entry (AEE) stream
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The Alberta Express Entry (AEE) stream is one of Alberta's PNP streams that is aligned with Express Entry, which means that a candidate needs a valid Express Entry profile to be eligible to the stream.
Alberta, through this stream, chooses its future newcomers to the province under a set of specific requirements. |
The AAIP goes through all the candidates already in the Express Entry pool, and sends Notification of Interest letters (equivalent to invitations to apply) to the ones whose profile corresponds best to their needs.
The AEE stream has minimum eligibility requirements, however, Alberta does not send Notification of Interest letters to every candidate that meets these minimum criteria. In fact, Alberta conducts periodic AEE draws, and each draw has its own criteria (in addition to the minimum criteria). More information is available in the draw history section of this guide.
Since December 2021, the AAIP has launched a program called "Accelerated Tech pathway". The latter allows candidates with a job offer in the technology sector to be invited to submit an application more quickly and to benefit from less processing times.
If nominated, a candidate will receive an additional 600 CRS points in their Express Entry profile, thus guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply.
The AEE stream has minimum eligibility requirements, however, Alberta does not send Notification of Interest letters to every candidate that meets these minimum criteria. In fact, Alberta conducts periodic AEE draws, and each draw has its own criteria (in addition to the minimum criteria). More information is available in the draw history section of this guide.
Since December 2021, the AAIP has launched a program called "Accelerated Tech pathway". The latter allows candidates with a job offer in the technology sector to be invited to submit an application more quickly and to benefit from less processing times.
If nominated, a candidate will receive an additional 600 CRS points in their Express Entry profile, thus guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply.
Eligibility Requirements
Regular Express Entry candidates
As said earlier, meeting these minimum eligibility requirements does not necessarily mean that you will receive a Notification of Interest letter from the AAIP. These are other sets of criteria that are specific to each draw (criteria are not disclosed).
There are 5 minimum criteria of eligibility under the Alberta Express Entry (AEE) stream:
The following adaptability factors may increase the chances of receiving a Notification of Interest letter:
The following factors may decrease (but not necessarily eliminate) the chances of receiving a Notification of Interest letter:
As said earlier, meeting these minimum eligibility requirements does not necessarily mean that you will receive a Notification of Interest letter from the AAIP. These are other sets of criteria that are specific to each draw (criteria are not disclosed).
There are 5 minimum criteria of eligibility under the Alberta Express Entry (AEE) stream:
- Having at a minimum, a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300.
- Meeting the criteria of minimum one of the federal immigration programs: Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Trades (FST) or Federal Skilled Worker (FSW).
- Having an active Express Entry profile in the pool of candidates.
- Intending to, and being able to work and live in the province of Alberta.
- Having experience in a job (primary occupation in your Express Entry profile) that supports the province’s economic development and diversification. There is no available published list of in-demand occupations, but there is some information that could hint to possible in-demand occupations in the province (See In-Demand Occupations section below).
The following adaptability factors may increase the chances of receiving a Notification of Interest letter:
- Having graduated from a post-secondary institution in Alberta.
- Having a valid Alberta job offer (continuous, paid full-time work in a location in Alberta (min. of 30 h/week), for a min. 12-month contract, with wages and benefits that meet or exceed provincial minimum wage).
- Having a Canadian citizen or permanent resident immediate family member (parent, child, brother and/or sister) who is currently living in the province of Alberta.
- Having French as a first language.
The following factors may decrease (but not necessarily eliminate) the chances of receiving a Notification of Interest letter:
- Having an Express Entry profile expiring in less than 5 months.
- Working in an occupation on the list of (see below for NOC lists):
- Alberta Opportunity Stream Ineligible Occupations, and
- Occupations with a high volume submission across all AAIP streams.
List of Alberta Opportunity Stream Ineligible Occupations
- NOC 00010 - Legislators
- NOC 40021 - School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education
- NOC 40030 - Managers in social, community and correctional services
- NOC 40041 - Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers
- NOC 60040* - Escort agency managers, massage parlour managers
- NOC 41100 - Judges
- NOC 41220 - Secondary school teachers
- NOC 41221 - Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
- NOC 51111 - Authors and writers (except technical)
- NOC 51122 - Musicians and singers
- NOC 42200* - Justices of the peace
- NOC 42202* - Early childhood educators who do not have certification through Alberta Children's Services – Child Care Staff Certification Office or who have been certified as Level 1 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Assistant)
- NOC 43100 - Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
- NOC 43109 - Other instructors
- NOC 53121 - Actors, comedians and circus performers
- NOC 53122 - Painters, sculptors and other visual artists
- NOC 53124 - Artisans and craftspersons
- NOC 53200 - Athletes
- NOC 63101 - Real estate agents and salespersons
- NOC 33100* - Dental laboratory assistants/bench workers
List of occupations with a high volume submission across all AAIP streams
Latest update: January 31, 2023
- NOC 62020 - Food service supervisors
- NOC 62010 - Retail sales supervisors
- NOC 63200 - Cooks
- NOC 21231 - Software engineers and designers
- NOC 13100 - Administrative assistants
- NOC 42202 - Early childhood educators and assistants
- NOC 73300 - Transport truck drivers
- NOC 12200 - Accounting technicians and bookkeepers
- NOC 60030 - Restaurant and food service managers
- NOC 21222 - Information systems specialists
Accelerated Tech pathway candidates
The process is similar between regular applicants and Accelerated Tech pathway applicants. The only difference is that Accelerated Tech pathway applicants must submit an interest form on their own, and if the AAIP considers that they meet the eligibility criteria below, they should receive an invitation to submit an application (while regular applicants receive their invitation while waiting in the Express Entry pool).
There are 5 minimum criteria of eligibility under the Accelerated Tech pathway program of the AEE stream:
- Having at a minimum, a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300.
- Meeting the criteria of minimum one of the federal immigration programs: Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Trades (FST) or Federal Skilled Worker (FSW).
- Having an active Express Entry profile in the pool of candidates (that expires in more than 3 months).
- Currently working full time or have a full time job offer for an employer based in Alberta:
- in an occupation that is on the list of occupations eligible for the Accelerated Tech pathway (see below),
- for an employer who is part of the Alberta technology industry as defined by their eligible NAICS codes (see below).
- The primary occupation of the Express Entry profile must match the current job or job offer.
List of eligible occupations under the Accelerated Tech pathway
- NOC 00012 - Senior managers - financial, communications and other business services
- NOC 10011 - Human resources managers
- NOC 10022 - Advertising, marketing and public relations managers
- NOC 10030 - Telecommunication carriers managers
- NOC 11200 - Human resources professionals
- NOC 11202 - Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations
- NOC 12101 - Human resources and recruitment officers
- NOC 20010 - Engineering managers
- NOC 20011 - Architecture and science managers
- NOC 20012 - Computer and information systems managers
- NOC 21210 - Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries
- NOC 21211 - Data scientists
- NOC 21220 - Cybersecurity specialists
- NOC 21221 - Business systems specialists
- NOC 21222 - Information systems specialists
- NOC 21233 - Web designers
- NOC 21223 - Database analysts and data administrators
- NOC 21231 - Software engineers and designers
- NOC 21230 - Computer systems developers and programmers
- NOC 21232 - Software developers and programmers
- NOC 21234 - Web developers and programmers
- NOC 21300 - Civil engineers
- NOC 21301 - Mechanical engineers
- NOC 21310 - Electrical and electronics engineers
- NOC 21311 - Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
- NOC 22110 - Biological technologists and technicians
- NOC 22212 - Drafting technologists and technicians
- NOC 22220 - Computer network and web technicians
- NOC 22221 - User support technicians
- NOC 22222 - Information systems testing technicians
- NOC 22301 - Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- NOC 22302 - Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
- NOC 22310 - Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- NOC 32120 - Medical laboratory technologists
- NOC 32129 - Other medical technologists and technicians
- NOC 33101 - Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
- NOC 41402 - Business development officers and market researchers and analysts
- NOC 50011 - Managers - publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
- NOC 51120 - Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
- NOC 52120 - Graphic designers and illustrators
- NOC 60010 - Corporate sales managers
- NOC 72200 - Electricians (except industrial and power system)
- NOC 72201 - Industrial electricians
- NOC 72205 - Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians
List of eligible NAICS codes under the Accelerated Tech pathway
NAICS 2211 - Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution
NAICS 3251 - Basic Chemical Manufacturing
NAICS 3254 - Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing
NAICS 3333 - Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing
NAICS 3341 - Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing
NAICS 3342 - Communications Equipment Manufacturing
NAICS 3343 - Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing
NAICS 3344 - Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing
NAICS 3345 - Navigational, Medical and Control Instruments Manufacturing
NAICS 3346 - Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media
NAICS 3364 - Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing
NAICS 4173 - Computer and Communications Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
NAICS 5112 - Software Publishers
NAICS 5121 - Motion Picture and Video Industries
NAICS 5173 - Wireless Telecommunications Carrier (except satellite)
NAICS 5174 - Satellite Telecommunications
NAICS 5179 - Other Telecommunications
NAICS 5182 - Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services
NAICS 5191 - Other Information Services
NAICS 5413 - Architectural, Engineering and Related services
NAICS 5414 - Specialized Design Services
NAICS 5415 - Computer Systems Design and Related Services
NAICS 5417 - Scientific Research and Development Services
NAICS 5419 - Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
NAICS 7115 - Independent Artists, Writers and Performers
NAICS 8112 - Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
NAICS 3251 - Basic Chemical Manufacturing
NAICS 3254 - Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing
NAICS 3333 - Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing
NAICS 3341 - Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing
NAICS 3342 - Communications Equipment Manufacturing
NAICS 3343 - Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing
NAICS 3344 - Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing
NAICS 3345 - Navigational, Medical and Control Instruments Manufacturing
NAICS 3346 - Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media
NAICS 3364 - Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing
NAICS 4173 - Computer and Communications Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
NAICS 5112 - Software Publishers
NAICS 5121 - Motion Picture and Video Industries
NAICS 5173 - Wireless Telecommunications Carrier (except satellite)
NAICS 5174 - Satellite Telecommunications
NAICS 5179 - Other Telecommunications
NAICS 5182 - Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services
NAICS 5191 - Other Information Services
NAICS 5413 - Architectural, Engineering and Related services
NAICS 5414 - Specialized Design Services
NAICS 5415 - Computer Systems Design and Related Services
NAICS 5417 - Scientific Research and Development Services
NAICS 5419 - Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
NAICS 7115 - Independent Artists, Writers and Performers
NAICS 8112 - Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
Application Process Summary
For a better understanding of the process, below is a list of the steps involved in obtaining Permanent Residence through the Alberta Express Entry (AEE) stream. Candidates must:
You can check out our 10-step guide for Express Entry for more detailed information and advice.
- 1. Meet the eligibility requirements of the federal FSW, FST or CEC programs.
- 2. Generate their Express Entry profile, and specify their interest in the province by selecting "Alberta" or “All Provinces and Territories”.
- 3. Qualify for the minimum AEE stream eligibility requirements.
- 4a. For regular Express Entry candidates: Obtain a Notification of Interest letter from the AAIP through the Express Entry profile and email a copy of the letter to the AAIP at within 2 weeks of receiving it.
- 4b. For Accelerated Tech pathway Express Entry candidates: Complete the Accelerated Tech Pathway form.
- 5. The AAIP will then send an email with a link to the AAIP portal to submit the application.
- 6. Apply to the AEE stream in the AAIP portal by completing the online application and uploading all requested documents.
- 7. Accept the Alberta provincial nomination (after the AAIP processes their application) within 30 days of receiving it on their Express Entry profile.
- 8. Obtain an additional 600 CRS points in the Express Entry profile, and receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- 9. Apply for permanent residence through your Express Entry profile.
You can check out our 10-step guide for Express Entry for more detailed information and advice.
Required Supporting Documents
All required documents must be uploaded through the AAIP portal. Specific requirements for documents are explained in detail here.
Application Fees
The fee for the Alberta Express Entry stream is set at 500 CAD. It can only be paid by a credit or debit card. Application fees are non-refundable.
Processing Times
As of January 31, 2023, there are approximately 342 applications still pending in the queue. Applications under Accelerated Tech pathway are processed in priority.
You should expect at least 3-4 months for your application to be processed and could be longer depending on multiple factors such as the application quality (completeness, eligibility, outdated application information/documents), volume of applications received, etc.
You should expect at least 3-4 months for your application to be processed and could be longer depending on multiple factors such as the application quality (completeness, eligibility, outdated application information/documents), volume of applications received, etc.
Draw History
You can check out our awesome Live PNP Monitor to see the latest news and draw history on the Alberta Express Entry stream, as well as for all the other PNP streams.
Do I have to stay in the Province?
This is a tricky question and there are multiple situations that can happen. You can learn more about this subject on our dedicated article: Can I move to another province?
Does the Stream have In-Demand Jobs?
Some streams target specific NOC codes, meaning that if you have experience in those in-demand jobs, you either (i) have more chances to be invited or (ii) that you can be eligible to the stream.
In the case of the Alberta Express Entry (AEE) stream, there is no official list of occupations targeted by the province. However, you can check the list of occupation in high demand published the government of Alberta (not the AAIP) here. The list eligible occupations to the Accelerated Tech Pathway is also a good indication of in-demand occupations.
You can find check about all NOC codes targeted by the other provinces in our in-demand NOC codes article.
In the case of the Alberta Express Entry (AEE) stream, there is no official list of occupations targeted by the province. However, you can check the list of occupation in high demand published the government of Alberta (not the AAIP) here. The list eligible occupations to the Accelerated Tech Pathway is also a good indication of in-demand occupations.
You can find check about all NOC codes targeted by the other provinces in our in-demand NOC codes article.
