Alberta Sends out New Invitations Under the AINP Program

With four Express Entry draws in two months, the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program or AINP has sent out invitations to approximately 150 candidates in two weeks. The total is around 651 in two months for provincial nominations, and the minimum CRS score set by AINP for eligibility was 300.

Provincial nominations under any province of Canada serve for potentially increasing a candidate’s rank in the Comprehensive Ranking Score so that they have a better chance during the Express Entry draws for invitations. Alberta’s provincial nomination scores offer up to 600 additional points to the overall CRS score, which increases their chances of getting an ITA. Last year, more than 11,100 candidates received provincial nominations from Alberta.

A candidate to apply under Alberta’s Nominee Program need not have a job offer in the province but to qualify, must have a profile in the Express Entry System under the federal government. To be eligible for an invitation via the AINP, a candidate must have a job that supports Alberta’s “economic development and diversification priorities.”

Immigrant candidates under categories of Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Federal Skilled Trades Program can apply for Express Entry. Candidates who set up their Express Entry profiles have to answer some questionnaires relating to human capital like educational qualification, work experience, language, or communication proficiency.  They receive scores based on these answers. A high CRS score means a higher chance of getting an invitation to apply for permanent residency. The minimum CRS for the latest Express Entry draw was 471.

Alberta also gives priorities to candidates who have any family member living in the province or have a degree from a Canadian post-secondary institution or have a job or work experience in Alberta.