AAIP - Alberta Advantage Immigration Program - Tourism and Hospitality Stream

Updated according to the Government of Alberta source on October 6, 2026.

The Alberta Tourism and Hospitality Stream under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) helps candidates with work experience in the tourism and hospitality sector in Alberta apply for a nomination to become permanent residents of Canada.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Approved tourism and hospitality employer: Candidates must work for a legitimate employer in the tourism and hospitality industry, with a job offer from a business in this sector.
• Eligible business sectors: The employer in Alberta must fall under one of the eligible industry codes as defined by the Alberta Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) or be exempt.
  • Eligible industries include: Museums, animal farms, bowling alleys, ski resorts, casinos, restaurants, hotels, amusement parks, property management, etc.
• Industry association membership: The Alberta employer must be a member of one of the eligible industry associations, such as the Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), the Tourism Industry Association of Alberta (TIAA), etc.

Occupational Requirements:

• Eligible occupations: Candidates must work in one of the valid occupational codes, including food and beverage service managers, executive chefs, food servers, hotel front desk clerks, tour guides, housekeeping staff, etc.
• Work experience: At the time of application, candidates must have at least 6 consecutive months (at least 780 hours) of full-time work experience with their current employer in an eligible occupation in Alberta.
• Job offer: Candidates must have a full-time job offer or employment contract from an Alberta employer that meets the occupation and minimum work duration requirements.

Language Requirements:

• Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 4 for each skill on an English test (CELPIP General, IELTS General Training, or PTE Core) or a French test (TEF or TCF).
• Language test results must be less than 2 years old at the time of application.

Educational Requirements:

• Candidates must have completed at least the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma.
• An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) issued by an IRCC-designated organization must be provided, unless the candidate holds a degree or diploma from a recognized Canadian educational institution.

KeyApply Services:

KeyApply provides consulting and application support services for the Alberta Tourism and Hospitality Stream with a team of experienced immigration lawyers and consultants. We ensure comprehensive support, from eligibility verification and proper preparation of the full application package to monitoring the processing progress, helping you maximize your chances of success in obtaining a nomination and permanent residency in Canada.

Let KeyApply accompany you on your path to Canadian immigration in a professional and effective manner.

Work permit and current employment

Must be living and working full-time in Alberta for an approved Tourism and Hospitality employer. A valid work permit must be based on a positive LMIA for an eligible occupation, or under the special IRCC wildfire measures accepted by Alberta. Maintained status does not replace a valid work permit; other types of permits are not eligible at the time of application. Paid experience must be with the same employer as the current job offer, at least 30 hours/week, and legal. The employer must meet industry, WCB, and association requirements or corresponding approved exemptions.

Worker EOI, invitations, and government fees

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

The AAIP grants a 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.

AAIP 2026 Updates

All AAIP worker streams now use 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. Having a WEOI does not guarantee an invitation; AAIP selects based on scores, labor market needs, provincial priorities, remaining nomination capacity, and application volume.

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

Source of updates: Government of Alberta – AAIP Updates / How to apply to AAIP worker streams.

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