The AINP is an immigration program operated on behalf of the Government of Alberta by the Ministry of Employment and Immigration in conjunction with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). The AINP expedites the processing of an application for permanent residence.

The AINP is designed to support Alberta's economic growth by attracting labour-market-destined immigrants to the province.

What is the Family Stream?

Announced on June 19, 2008, the Family Stream provides a way for Alberta residents to sponsor family members, with the skills and abilities needed to succeed in Alberta’s labour market, for immigration to the province.

Process and timelines

What is the step-by-step process for the Family Stream?

Condition

Action

If an eligible sponsor (in Alberta) and an eligible candidate decide to apply to the AINP family stream…

…the sponsor completes the Family – Sponsorship Affidavit of Support.

The candidate completes the Family – Application for Nomination (AINP 006).

The sponsor and candidate assemble all required supporting documents outlined in the Family – Instructions.

A complete package is mailed to the AINP for review.

If the application is complete, and meets all minimum criteria…

…the AINP will assess the application.

If sponsor and candidate receive a positive assessment from the AINP…

...candidate becomes a Provincial Nominee.

If the Provincial Nominee receives their Confirmation of Acceptance from the AINP and has compiled all necessary documents…

...the Provincial Nominee then forwards their Application for Permanent Residence forms to a Citizenship and Immigration Canada Visa Office abroad.

If the Provincial Nominee and their dependents meet the federal statutory requirements, including health, criminality and security checks...

...Citizenship and Immigration Canada may issue the permanent resident visa(s) for immigration to Alberta.

How long will the AINP take to assess my application?

If a Sponsor and Candidate send a complete application for processing to the AINP, the Sponsor will be notified that the application has been accepted for processing, and will be provided with a file number. Due to current application volumes, it may take up to 6 months before the Sponsor is notified whether or not the application has been accepted for processing.

A decision will be made on Family Stream applications within approximately twelve months from the time the application has been accepted for processing at the AINP. An incomplete application will be returned and no file will be created. To avoid delays, ensure all forms and documentation are complete and included.

If the AINP decision is positive, you send an Application for Permanent Residence to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). CIC's assessment of candidates includes health, criminal and security checks. CIC can take 6 to 18 months before reaching a decision. Please note that these are guidelines only, and processing times may vary. Permanent residence applications are processed at CIC Visa Offices outside of Canada.

Where should I send the application when it is complete? Who should send the application, the Sponsor or the Candidate?

Complete applications can be mailed to:

Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program
Suite 940, Telus Plaza North Tower
10025 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 1S6

Please note that facsimiles are not accepted. If you fax an application, it will be returned.

Either the sponsor or the candidate can mail the application to the address above. The important thing to remember is that all required forms and supporting documents must be submitted in the same application package.

Please note that for Family Stream applications, the Sponsor will act as the primary contact and will be responsible for answering any questions or requests for additional information. Therefore, the Sponsor should be aware of the date the application was submitted.

Is there a fee for submitting my application to the AINP?

No. There is no fee required for submitting an application to the AINP.

Is there a fee for the permanent resident visa?

Yes. You must pay processing fees to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) when you apply for permanent residence. You must also pay a “Right of Permanent Residence” fee to gain final permanent resident status.

Sponsor Criteria

Family Connection

I would like to sponsor my brother; my wife would like to sponsor her parents. Can we submit two family stream applications to the AINP?

No. There can only be one ongoing sponsorship commitment per household at a time. A second sponsorship could only be considered once the initial sponsorship commitment has been fulfilled.

I have previously entered into another sponsorship agreement. Am I able to sponsor my brother through the AINP?

There can only be one ongoing sponsorship commitment per household at a time.

On the Family - Sponsorship Affidavit of Support, you must affirm that neither you, nor your spouse or common-law partner (if applicable), have defaulted or are otherwise obligated to meet the conditions of any other sponsorship agreement entered into with a Government of a Province or Territory of Canada, including the Government of Alberta, or the Government of Canada for another sponsored family member who has obtained their permanent residence in Canada.

If you have entered into another sponsorship agreement, the obligation commences when the sponsored family member becomes a permanent resident of Canada. The time period that you are obligated to support that family member should be outlined in your sponsorship agreement.

Can I sponsor my cousin as a family member?

No. Eligible family members under the AINP Family stream include a Parent, Child, Brother, Sister, Aunt, Uncle, Niece or Nephew.

Can I sponsor my step-sibling?

Yes. Either step-relatives or half-relatives are eligible to sponsor or be sponsored. However, the blood connection (or adoptive, if applicable) must be clearly demonstrated in the application. It is the responsibility of the Sponsor and Candidate to provide sufficient documentation to adequately demonstrate that the relationship is eligible.

I want to nominate my brother; however, I only became a permanent resident of Canada last year. However, my husband/wife has been a permanent resident for several years. Can he/she sponsor my brother?

No. The relationship between the sponsor and the candidate must be direct. You cannot sponsor in-laws.

What information is required to prove the direct family relationship?

Certified copies of official documents demonstrating the relationship between the Sponsor and Candidate are required with an application under the Family Stream. Common examples of official documents which may help prove the relationship include Birth Certificates, Adoption Documents, Citizenship Documents, Passports, and/or Family Register Documents.

You must consider whether or not there are sufficient official documents to clearly show the connection between the Sponsor and the Candidate. For example, if the Sponsor is the Aunt of the Candidate, the following must be included with the application:

Official documents showing the Sponsor’s parents
Official documents showing the Candidate’s parents
Official documents showing the Candidate’s grandparents

Would an affidavit by a family member declaring the names and relationships of other family members be considered official documentation?

No. Common examples of official documents which may help prove the relationship include Birth Certificates, Adoption Documents, Citizenship Documents, Passports, and/or Family Register Documents. Affidavits are not acceptable for demonstrating proof of relationship.

Residence in Alberta

No. A sponsor must have been living in Alberta for the past two years without interruption. If, at any time in the past two years, your primary residence (where you live and work) was outside Alberta, you are not eligible to sponsor.

All three Notice of Assessments (NOA’s) must be submitted with the application. If a Sponsor cannot present a NOA for 2005, it is the Sponsor’s responsibility to clearly demonstrate that they have been living in Alberta for the past two years. A Sponsor’s residency in Alberta must be obvious with the application, or it will be returned as incomplete.

Sponsor Support

No. The Sponsor must be able to directly demonstrate one of the two criteria.

I plan to demonstrate that I have $15,000 in available assets. Are my RRSP’s considered assets?

RRSP’s would be considered if the funds are accessible. Locked-in RRSP’s (RRSP’s that cannot be accessed or are not available until a certain age is reached) would not be considered.

Candidate Criteria

Both you and your spouse/common-law partner must meet the age and language ability criteria.

Either you or your spouse/common-law partner must meet the education/work experience criteria, and the adaptability (financial) requirements.

A complete list of requirements can be found in the candidate eligibility section.

Age

I am 43 but my spouse/common-law partner is 46. Can my Alberta relative still sponsor me through the AINP?

No. The Candidate and their spouse/common-law partner must both be between 21 and 45 at the time of application.

What if I am 45 at the time of application, but turn 46 before a decision is made by the AINP on my application? Can I still apply?

Yes. A Candidate and their spouse/common-law partner must be between 21 and 45 at the time of application.

My spouse/common-law partner doesn’t meet the age requirement. Can my sponsor just sponsor me to come to Canada right now, and I will sponsor my spouse/common-law partner at a later date?

As a candidate, you may or may not choose to include your spouse/common-law partner as an accompanying dependent on your application for permanent residence. However, both you and your spouse/common-law partner must meet the age criteria (and language criteria) of the AINP under the Family Stream regardless of whether or not the spouse/common-law partner is accompanying the candidate to Canada. If you have a spouse/common-law partner, he/she will be assessed with the application and he/she must meet any required criteria.

Language Testing

How long are IELTS/TEF results valid?

The AINP will accept IELTS/TEF test scores obtained within the past 5 years.

IELTS has two types of tests, general and academic. Which is the right one?

The general training option.

Can I submit my Family Stream application if I haven’t completed my IELTS/TEF tests yet?

There are only two situations in which an IELTS/TEF assessment would not be required for the AINP Family Stream:

You and your spouse or common-law partner can demonstrate that English or French is your primary language of use (the language most commonly used in your household), OR
You and your spouse or common-law partner have completed a minimum of a baccalaureate in English or French

Otherwise, an IELTS/TEF assessment must accompany the application.

You may submit proof that the Candidate and spouse/common-law partner (if applicable) are registered to take an IELTS/TEF assessment at the time of application. The AINP will require the test scores at a later date if proof of registration to take the test has been submitted.

What is a “baccalaureate in English or French”?

“Baccalaureate in English or French” is a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree obtained from a post-secondary institution where the primary language of instruction is English or French.

Education/Work Experience

I have grade 12 education and started college/university but I have not yet finished or did not finish my program. Am I eligible to be sponsored?

No. A candidate or their spouse/common-law partner must have already completed a post-secondary education or training program (of at least one year in duration) prior to applying to the AINP under the family stream. If no program has been completed by either the candidate or their spouse/common-law partner, the candidate would not be eligible.

I completed a certificate program from a college. It was a one-year program, but I actually had only 10 months of classes because of a summer break. Does this qualify?

Yes. The criteria of being able to demonstrate completion of a post-secondary education program of at least “one year” in duration would be assessed as a school year. A school year is generally considered to be at least eight months at a post-secondary institution (two four-month semesters).

I manage/own my own business in my home country. Does this count as work experience?

Yes. However, it is your responsibility to adequately demonstrate documented and verifiable experience as a self-employed person.

Adaptability/Financial Requirements

I don’t know how to open an account at a Canadian financial institution. Can’t I just provide an account history from a bank in my home country?

No. You, your spouse/common-law partner, or your sponsor must demonstrate the minimum required funds in a recognized Canadian financial institution. Individuals may contact a financial institution in Canada for more details on how to open an account, if necessary. In addition, there are some Canadian financial institutions which have branches in other countries. There are also some foreign institutions which have branches in Canada, which could be considered recognized in Canada. The candidate may consider transferring the funds to the sponsor if they are finding it very difficult to open a Canadian account.

Can I open an account in Canada now, submit my application, and provide you with my account history at a later date?

No. Three months of account history must be submitted with the application.

Does the account in Canada containing the funds required for myself and my dependents have to be in my name?

No. The required funds ($10,000 for you and $2,000 for each dependent) may be in the name of you, your spouse/common-law partner, or in the name of your sponsor.

Yes, if your sponsor is choosing to demonstrate their asset level as opposed to their income. One of the criteria for sponsor eligibility is that the sponsor must be able to demonstrate 12 months of regular income or $15,000 in assets. This basic requirement is something that the sponsor must meet separately from the minimum funds required for the candidate and their dependents.

Alberta's official immigration website

Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

Process and timelines

Sponsor Criteria

Family Connection

Residence in Alberta

Sponsor Support

Candidate Criteria

Age

Language Testing

Education/Work Experience

Adaptability/Financial Requirements

Other Candidate Questions

About the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

Process and timelines

Sponsor Criteria

Family Connection

Residence in Alberta

Sponsor Support

Candidate Criteria

Age

Language Testing

Education/Work Experience

Adaptability/Financial Requirements

Other Candidate Questions

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