Alberta Releases New PNP Name, Programs, and Draw Results

On February 16, In the latest PNP draw, Alberta announced the province will be changing the name and adding two new immigration programs. Canadian province Alberta also released the PNP (Provincial Nominee Program) draw results.

Canadian province Alberta 400 Express Entry immigration candidates to apply for the Alberta Express Entry Stream (AEES). In this draw, Express Entry candidates required a minimum 340 CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score to be invited to apply for nomination. If the candidate receives the nomination, they will be rewarded with additional 600 points and be eligible for an Express Entry PNP round of invitations.

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program is now named as Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, and the two new streams are called the Rural Renewal Stream and the Rural Entrepreneur Stream. Alberta has also changed the name of three existing entrepreneurs’ streams:

(A): The International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream is now called Graduate Entrepreneur Stream.

(B): The Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream is now called Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream.

(C): The Self-Employed Farmer Stream is now called Farm Stream.

The eligibility criteria for the above-mentioned streams are not changing. The Alberta government says candidates who need to request a nomination extension must do so using Alberta’s online portal. If you’re submitting your application on the online portal, then you must request an extension and also submit the extension request through the portal. If you have submitted a paper application, you can still submit a written application.  All the new names and programs will be updated on the Alberta website soon.

A Canadian government media release stated that the change of name intends to help promote Alberta’s reputation and endorse it as an attractive destination for the immigrants to choose to settle in this province. The newly launched streams Rural Renewal Stream and Rural Entrepreneur Stream will encourage skilled and talented professionals and entrepreneurs across the world to settle in rural Alberta communities.

The Rural Renewal Stream is for people who have a job offer from an Alberta-based employer in a designated rural Alberta community. Alberta is currently accepting applications from rural communities to participate in the rural renewal stream. A restricted number of communities will be shortlisted to participate as an elected community in this program. On the other hand, the rural entrepreneur stream is for entrepreneurs who wish to invest in a new or existing business of the Alberta community. Eligible candidates can submit their expression of interest and visit the community where they wish to commence their business. Last year, Alberta nominated 6250 immigrants to apply for permanent residence.