AAIP - (Worker) Alberta Advantage Immigration Program - Rural Renewal Stream

Updated per Government of Alberta sources on October 6, 2026.

The Rural Renewal Stream under the AAIP is for individuals with a valid job offer in a designated Alberta community and an Endorsement of Candidate Letter issued by that community.

Eligibility requirements effective January 1, 2026

• Candidates residing in Canada must hold a valid work permit at the time of application and assessment.
• The Endorsement of Candidate letter is valid for one year from the date of issuance; communities have a limit on the number of endorsement letters they can provide. A support letter does not guarantee an invitation or a nomination.
• For those residing in Alberta with a valid work permit: TEER 0–5 occupations may be eligible. For those residing outside Alberta but within Canada with a valid work permit, or those outside Canada: only TEER 0–3 occupations are eligible.
• You must demonstrate the intent to reside and work in the designated community, meet the list of eligible occupations, and fulfill the conditions set by the Alberta job offer/employer.

Experience, language, and education

Generally, 12 months of full-time work experience within the 18 months prior to application is required, consisting of at least 30 hours per week, paid, and legal. The experience TEER must align with the program's corresponding table: a TEER 0 job offer accepts TEER 0–1 experience; TEER 1 accepts 0–2; TEER 2 or 3 accepts 1–4; TEER 4 accepts 2–5; and TEER 5 requires TEER 5 experience in the same NOC. PGWP holders who have completed a two-year post-secondary program at a DLI within a designated community may be exempt from the 12-month experience requirement.

Language: CLB/NCLC 5 in each skill for TEER 0–3; CLB/NCLC 4 for TEER 4–5. Accepted tests include IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, PTE Core, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada; results must be less than two years old. A minimum of secondary education equivalent to Canada is required, including an ECA unless exempted per the Alberta website; you must also meet necessary professional licensing or certification requirements.

Settlement funds

Proof of sufficient funds is required if you are outside Canada or in Canada but not currently working. The amount depends on family size and community population. According to the current Alberta table, one person needs 8,922 CAD in a community under 1,000 residents, 10,151 CAD in a community of 1,000–30,000 residents, or 11,093 CAD in a community of 30,000–99,999 residents. Larger families must consult the official table; funds must be unencumbered and readily available.

Worker EOI, invitations, and government fees

Candidates must create a Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI), be selected, and receive an invitation before applying to the AAIP. The WEOI fee is 135 CAD effective April 7, 2026; the worker stream application fee is 1,500 CAD. These are government fees, separate from service or IRCC fees. A WEOI is valid for one year; updating information does not extend this validity. You must update salary and hours worked information when applying. Meeting eligibility or entering the pool does not guarantee an invitation or nomination.

The AAIP grants provincial nomination; IRCC decides on permanent residency. A nomination does not automatically grant PR or a work permit.

Source: Alberta.ca – official eligibility and AAIP updates.

2026 AAIP Updates

All AAIP worker streams now require a Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI) before being invited to apply. As of April 7, 2026, the WEOI submission fee is 135 CAD. A WEOI is valid for 12 months. Holding a WEOI does not guarantee an invitation; AAIP selects based on points, labor market needs, provincial priorities, remaining nomination allocations, and application volume.

Effective February 25, 2026, the WEOI includes additional information regarding salary and hours worked for candidates with an Alberta job offer; these factors may be used in draw rounds.

Update source: Government of Alberta – AAIP Updates / How to apply to AAIP worker streams.

Immigration Event and Live Stream Schedule