AAIP 2026: Alberta Advantage Immigration Program Requirements, Draws and Complete Guide for Filipinos

Last Updated: September 28, 2026 | A comprehensive guide for Filipino immigrants exploring Alberta’s provincial nominee program

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)—known as the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) until February 2022—is Alberta’s provincial nominee program that helps skilled workers and entrepreneurs obtain permanent residence in Canada. With Alberta’s economy in energy, technology, healthcare, and agriculture, this province offers real opportunities for Filipino immigrants seeking to build their future in Canada.

Not sure where you fit? Since June 17, 2026, Alberta offers a free AAIP Eligibility Explorer that shows which AAIP streams you may be eligible for before you start an Expression of Interest.

Why Choose Alberta?

Alberta offers several advantages for Filipino immigrants:

• No Provincial Sales Tax (PST) – Only the 5% federal GST applies
• Strong Job Market – Demand in healthcare, technology, construction, agriculture, and manufacturing (all targeted in recent AAIP draws)
• Growing Filipino Community – Large, established Filipino communities in Calgary and Edmonton
• Lower Cost of Living – More affordable than Toronto or Vancouver
• +600 CRS Points – A provincial nomination adds 600 points to your Express Entry score

AAIP Streams Overview

The AAIP operates 8 immigration streams divided into two categories:

Worker Streams (4 Streams)

Entrepreneur Streams (4 Streams)

Alberta clarified how it assesses the economic-establishment requirements for the Rural Entrepreneur, Graduate Entrepreneur, and Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur streams on August 12, 2026. Check the AAIP updates page before you prepare a business plan.

Alberta Opportunity Stream (Most Popular)

The Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) is the most accessible pathway for Filipino workers already employed in Alberta. This stream doesn’t require an Express Entry profile.

AAIP Requirements: Alberta Opportunity Stream

Eligible Occupations

Most occupations under NOC TEER Categories 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are eligible. However, certain occupations are NOT eligible, including:

• Legislators
• Elementary and secondary school teachers
• Judges
• Musicians and singers, actors, and athletes
• Real estate agents
• Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs
• Escort agency or massage parlour managers

See Table 1 on Alberta’s Alberta Opportunity Stream eligibility page for the full list.

Important for PGWP Holders: Your occupation must be related to your field of study in Alberta.

Alberta Express Entry Stream

If you already have an Express Entry profile, the Alberta Express Entry Stream can fast-track your PR application. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to your score. See our Express Entry guide for how the federal system works.

Basic Requirements

• Active Express Entry profile in the federal pool, qualifying under FSW, CEC, or FSTP
• Minimum CRS score of 300
• Primary occupation in your Express Entry profile must fall within one of Alberta’s Express Entry pathways
• Intent and ability to live and work permanently in Alberta
• If you are invited on the basis of an Alberta job offer, you and your employer must meet Alberta’s job offer requirements

Express Entry Pathways and Latest AAIP Draws (2026)

Alberta runs pathways and priority-sector draws for in-demand occupations: the Dedicated Health Care Pathway, the Accelerated Tech Pathway, the Law Enforcement Pathway, and priority sectors such as construction, agriculture, aviation, health, and manufacturing.

Important: AAIP draw scores are Alberta Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI) points. They are not CRS scores.

Note: Draws happen often, and scores change from draw to draw. The table above shows draws as of September 23, 2026. For the full, current draw history, see Alberta’s AAIP processing information page.

Tourism and Hospitality Stream

This stream targets workers in Alberta’s tourism and hospitality sector. Eligible occupations include:

• Hotel front desk clerks
• Chefs, cooks, food servers, and bartenders
• Restaurant and accommodation managers
• Tour guides

Requirements

• Full-time job offer for an eligible occupation from your current employer, an approved Tourism and Hospitality employer
• Currently living and working in Alberta
• Valid work permit based on a positive LMIA for an eligible occupation (or IRCC wildfire special measures)
• At least 6 consecutive months (780 hours) of full-time work with that employer in an eligible occupation
• CLB 4 in each English language skill, plus high school education with an ECA

Rural Renewal Stream

The Rural Renewal Stream helps smaller Alberta communities attract and retain newcomers. You need:

• Full-time job offer from an employer in a designated rural community
• A valid Endorsement of Candidate letter from the community’s economic development organization (valid for one year from issue)
• Either a valid work permit if you are in Canada, or you may apply from outside Canada
• CLB 5 (TEER 0-3) or CLB 4 (TEER 4-5), plus high school education with an ECA

Examples of designated communities: Brooks, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie, Lloydminster, Wetaskiwin, Fort McMurray – Wood Buffalo, and others. The list changes, so see Alberta’s designated communities page for the current list.

2026 AAIP Updates and Important Changes

⚠️ 2026 Key Changes:

Worker Expression of Interest Fee: Since April 7, 2026, submitting a Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI) costs $135. The WEOI stays valid for 12 months.

Eligibility Explorer: Launched June 17, 2026. This free tool shows which streams you may qualify for.

Increased Allocation: On August 10, 2026, IRCC granted Alberta 200 more nominations, bringing the 2026 allocation to 6,603.

Entrepreneur Clarifications: On August 12, 2026, Alberta clarified its economic-establishment requirements for the Rural, Graduate, and Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur streams.

Extra Federal Spaces: In 2026, up to 10,000 extra federal spaces across all provincial programs are available for physicians and Francophones. These do not count toward Alberta’s 6,603.

AAIP Processing Times and 2026 Nomination Progress (as of September 23, 2026)

2026 Progress: As of September 23, 2026, Alberta had issued 5,221 of its 6,603 nominations for 2026, with 1,382 spaces remaining. These figures change weekly. For the latest numbers, see Alberta’s AAIP processing information page.

Application Fees

Source: AAIP Fee Schedule (effective April 7, 2026). These are Government of Alberta fees only. IRCC permanent residence fees are separate.

Language Test Requirements

AAIP accepts the following language tests. Results must be less than 2 years old when you submit your application, counted from the date you took the test:

English Tests

• IELTS General Training (NOT Academic)
• CELPIP-General (NOT CELPIP-LS)
• PTE Core (Pearson Test of English)

French Tests

• TEF Canada
• TCF Canada

Minimum CLB Scores by Occupation

These minimums apply to the Alberta Opportunity Stream. Other streams set their own. For example, the Tourism and Hospitality Stream requires CLB 4, and the Graduate Entrepreneur Stream requires CLB 7.

How to Apply

Worker Streams (Alberta Opportunity, Rural Renewal, Tourism and Hospitality)

1. Check eligibility – Start with the AAIP Eligibility Explorer, then confirm the stream’s work experience, language, and occupation requirements
2. Submit a Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI) in the AAIP portal and pay the $135 fee. Your WEOI stays in the pool for 12 months.
3. Get invited – Alberta holds draws and invites the highest-scoring WEOIs
4. Accept within 15 days. Then complete and submit your application within 30 days, and pay the $1,500 fee within 24 hours of submitting
5. Wait for assessment – See the processing table above
6. Receive nomination – Apply for PR through IRCC before your nomination certificate expires. Alberta charges a fee to reissue a certificate that has expired after 6 months.

Alberta Express Entry Stream

1. Create an Express Entry profile through IRCC
2. Submit a Worker Expression of Interest to the AAIP. The Express Entry stream and its pathways use the WEOI system too.
3. Get invited in an Alberta Express Entry pathway or priority-sector draw
4. Submit your provincial application within the invitation deadlines
5. Receive provincial nomination (+600 CRS points)
6. Accept your ITA from Express Entry and apply for PR

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply without a job offer?

For the Alberta Opportunity, Rural Renewal, and Tourism and Hospitality streams, you need a full-time Alberta job offer. For the Alberta Express Entry Stream, some pathways invite candidates based on an Alberta job offer and others do not. Your primary occupation must fall within an Alberta pathway.

What CRS score do I need for Alberta Express Entry?

The minimum is CRS 300. Alberta then ranks candidates by its own Worker Expression of Interest points, not by CRS. Recent minimum WEOI scores have been in the high 40s to about 60, depending on the pathway. A provincial nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score. See our guide on improving your CRS score.

How long does AAIP processing take?

It varies by stream. As of September 23, 2026, Alberta was assessing Alberta Opportunity Stream applications received on or before June 17, 2026. After you are nominated, federal PR processing is separate. Check IRCC processing times for current estimates.

Can I apply if I’m working on a PGWP?

Yes! PGWP holders can apply to the Alberta Opportunity Stream with 6 months of full-time Alberta work experience, but your current occupation must be related to your field of study in Alberta.

What if my occupation is regulated in Alberta?

If your occupation requires licensing in Alberta (nurses, electricians, engineers, etc.), you must obtain proper licensing or registration from the appropriate regulatory body before applying to AAIP.

Explore Other Provincial Programs

Each Canadian province has its own nominee program. Compare your options:

• Ontario OINP Guide – Canada’s largest province with the biggest Filipino community
• BC PNP Guide – Second-largest Filipino population, tech hub
• Manitoba MPNP Guide – Strong Filipino community and lower cost of living
• Saskatchewan SINP Guide – Pathways for in-demand occupations

How JCA Law Office Can Help

As a Toronto-based firm serving the Filipino-Canadian community, JCA Law Office provides expert assistance with Alberta immigration applications:

• Eligibility assessment – Determine which AAIP stream is right for you
• Document preparation – Ensure your application is complete and accurate
• Express Entry profile optimization – Maximize your CRS score
• Application submission – Handle the entire process from start to finish
• Appeals and refused applications – Address refusals and compliance issues

📞 Call us today: 1-855-522-5290
📧 Email: immigration@jcalaw.ca

Related Resources

Explore our other provincial immigration guides:

• Filipino Immigrant Guide to Canada – From Visa to PR (Main Guide)
• Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Complete Guide
• British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Guide
• Express Entry Canada 2026 Guide

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and AAIP requirements change frequently. Figures are current as of September 23, 2026. Always confirm with the official AAIP website. For personalized advice on your situation, please consult with a licensed immigration lawyer or consultant.

Filipino-Canadians outside Alberta can also work remotely with our Toronto office.