The Rural Renewal Stream under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) helps foreign workers secure permanent residence in designated rural communities. To qualify, candidates must have a full-time job offer in a designated community and an Endorsement of Candidate letter from the local Economic Development Organization (EDO).
On This Page You Will Find:
- Eligibility criteria for the Rural Renewal Stream of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP).
- Steps to secure community endorsement and a job offer in a designated rural community.
- A list of ineligible occupations and job requirements.
- Details on language, education, and settlement fund requirements.
- A step-by-step guide on how to apply and secure permanent residence in Alberta.
- A frequently asked questions (FAQ) section to clarify common concerns.
This stream has a two-step process:
- A designated community endorses a foreign worker for a job and issues an Endorsement of Candidate letter.
- The candidate submits a Worker Expression of Interest (EOI) and, if selected, applies to the AAIP.
Eligible applicants include Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) and individuals outside Canada. Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) applicants must be refugees with a referral letter from an approved partner
Community Requirements
Communities must apply for designation before they can recruit and endorse candidates. To be eligible, a community must:
- Have a population of fewer than 100,000 (based on the 2016 census).
- Be located outside the Calgary and Edmonton census metropolitan areas.
- Have at least one employer offering permanent (minimum 12 months), full-time, non-seasonal jobs.
- Obtain an endorsement letter from the municipal council, signed by the mayor or reeve.
- Submit an application through a local economic development organization with an active economic development plan.
Applications are evaluated based on a points system, and communities must score at least 150 points to be considered for designation.
Community Responsibilities
Once designated, a community must:
- Work with employers to identify and recruit foreign workers.
- Partner with settlement organizations to provide support for newcomers.
- Develop and implement a welcoming and settlement plan.
- Issue an Endorsement of Candidate Letter for selected applicants.
Recruitment and Endorsement Process
- Community Recruitment:
- Communities collaborate with employers to fill labour gaps.
- Candidates can be recruited from inside or outside Canada (foreign nationals must have legal status if residing in Canada).
- Candidate Endorsement:
- The community selects and endorses eligible candidates.
- The economic development organization issues an Endorsement of Candidate Letter.
- The candidate applies through the AAIP portal and pays a non-refundable application fee.
- Application Review:
- The AAIP evaluates the application and nominates eligible candidates.
- Candidates can apply for a temporary work permit while their permanent residency application is processed.
- Permanent Residency Process:
- Nominees submit their applications to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- The federal government makes the final decision on permanent residency.
Settlement and Integration
Communities must provide settlement support, including:
- Housing assistance.
- Education and healthcare access.
- Language training and employment services.
Designated communities must evaluate their participation after three years, with an option to extend for two additional years.
List of Designated Communities
| Community | Designation Date |
| City of Brooks (including: Town of Bassano, Village of Duchess, County of Newell, Village of Rosemary) | May 13, 2022 |
| City of Grande Prairie | July 6, 2022 |
| Town of Whitecourt | July 20, 2022 |
| Town of Taber (including: Municipal District of Taber, Town of Vauxhall, Town of Coaldale, Town of Picture Butte, Lethbridge County, Town of Cardston, Town of Milk River, Town of Raymond, Town of Nobleford) | July 20, 2022 |
| Town of Innisfail (including: Town of Olds, Town of Bowden) | September 9, 2022 |
| Municipal District of Smoky River (including: Town of Falher, Village of Donnelly, Village of Girouxville) | September 9, 2022 |
| County of Grande Prairie (including: Town of Sexsmith, Town of Wembley, Town of Beaverlodge, Village of Rycroft) | September 9, 2022 |
| Town of Trochu (including: Village of Acme, Town of Three Hills, Village of Linden) | September 9, 2022 |
| Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo | September 9, 2022 |
| Municipality of Jasper | September 13, 2022 |
| County of Barrhead (including: Town of Barrhead) | November 8, 2022 |
| Town of Hinton | November 8, 2022 |
| Town of Fairview (including: Village of Hines Creek) | January 13, 2023 |
| City of Medicine Hat (including: Cypress County, Town of Bow Island, Town of Redcliff) | January 13, 2023 |
| Town of Fox Creek | February 13, 2023 |
| City of Cold Lake | March 10, 2023 |
| County of St. Paul (including: Town of St Paul, Town of Elk Point, Summer Village of Horseshoe Bay) | March 10, 2023 |
| Town of Drayton Valley | March 10, 2023 |
| Town of Slave Lake (including: Sawridge First Nation, Town of High Prairie, Municipal District of Opportunity) | March 10, 2023 |
| City of Lloydminster | March 29, 2023 |
| City of Lethbridge | March 29, 2023 |
| Town of Westlock | March 29, 2023 |
| Municipal District of Greenview No.16 (including: The Town of Valleyview) | March 29, 2023 |
| Town of Peace River | June 14, 2023 |
| City of Wetaskiwin | August 2, 2023 |
| Special Areas 2, 3, 4 (including: Town of Hanna, Town of Oyen, Village of Consort, Village of Empress, Village of Veteran, Village of Youngstown, Municipal District of Acadia No. 34) | August 2, 2023 |
| Growth Regional Economic Development Alliance (including: Woodlands County, Town of Swan Hills, Town Mayerthorpe) | September 22, 2023 |
| County of Northern Lights (including: Town of Manning) | September 22, 2023 |
| Town of Bonnyville | September 22, 2023 |
| Town of Two Hills | September 22, 2023 |
| Lac La Biche County (including: Hamlet of Lac La Biche, Hamlet of Plamondon and Greater Region) | October 4, 2023 |
| Town of High Level | December 14, 2023 |
| Town of Didsbury | December 14, 2023 |
| Town of Coronation (including County of Paintearth, Hamlet of Brownfield, Town of Castor) | September 9, 2024 |
| Smoky Lake Region (including Smoky Lake County, Town of Smoky Lake, Village of Vilna, Village of Waskatenau) | September 9, 2024 |
| Town of Rocky Mountain House | December 13, 2024 |
Candidate Eligibility Requirements
1. Community Residency Requirement
Candidates must intend to live and work in their designated Alberta community when applying and during the assessment process.
Ineligible applicants: Refugee claimants already in Canada cannot apply.
2. Community Endorsement Requirement
At the time of application, candidates must have an Endorsement of Candidate letter from their designated rural community’s EDO. The letter must confirm:
- Candidate’s full name and residential address.
- Job offer details, including the employer’s name, job duties, duration, and work conditions.
- How the position supports economic growth in the community.
- Employer’s recruitment efforts within Canada.
For EMPP refugees, a Referral Partner letter from an authorized organization must also be submitted.
3. Occupation Requirements
Candidates must have a job offer in an eligible occupation. Most occupations in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 qualify. However, the following occupations are ineligible:
| NOC Code (2021) | TEER Category | Ineligible Occupations |
| 00010 | 0 | Legislators |
| 60040 | 0 | Escort agency managers, massage parlour managers |
| 41100 | 1 | Judges |
| 51111 | 1 | Authors and writers (except technical) |
| 51122 | 1 | Musicians and singers |
| 42200 | 2 | Justices of the peace |
| 53121 | 3 | Actors, comedians, circus performers |
| 53122 | 3 | Painters, sculptors, visual artists |
| 53124 | 3 | Artisans and craftspersons |
| 53200 | 3 | Athletes |
| 33100 | 3 | Dental laboratory bench workers |
| 44100 | 4 | Home child care providers |
| 44101 | 4 | Home support workers, caregivers |
| 64321 | 4 | Casino occupations |
| 55109 | 5 | Other performers |
| 65229 | 5 | Other support occupations in personal services |
| 85101 | 5 | Harvesting labourers |
Candidates should verify their NOC TEER category before applying.
4. Job Offer Requirements
The job offer must meet these conditions:
- Full-time, non-seasonal employment (minimum 30 hours per week).
- Position must be within a designated community in Alberta.
- Must meet Alberta employer job offer requirements.
Ineligible applicants:
- Part-time, casual, or seasonal employees.
- Independent contractors, business owners, or temporary agency workers.
- Home-based business employees.
- Remote workers living outside Alberta.
5. Work Experience Requirement
Candidates must have at least 12 months of full-time experience (30 hours/week) in the past 18 months before applying. This experience can be gained:
- In Alberta.
- In Canada (outside Alberta).
- Abroad.
For EMPP applicants, the experience requirement is 12 months within the last 10 years.
The work experience must align with the TEER category of the job offer:
| Job Offer TEER Category | Required TEER Work Experience |
| TEER 0 | TEER 0 or 1 |
| TEER 1 | TEER 0, 1, or 2 |
| TEER 2 | TEER 1, 2, 3, or 4 |
| TEER 3 | TEER 1, 2, 3, or 4 |
| TEER 4 | TEER 2, 3, 4, or 5 |
| TEER 5 | TEER 5 (same NOC code) |
6. Licensing and Certification
If the occupation requires licensing (e.g., trades, childcare workers), candidates must have valid certification before applying.
- Trades: Must hold an Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Trade (AIT) recognized certificate.
- Childcare workers: Must have a Level 2 or 3 Early Childhood Educator certification.
7. Language Requirements
Candidates must meet the minimum language score for their NOC TEER category:
| NOC TEER Category | CLB (English) | NCLC (French) |
| TEER 0, 1, 2, 3 | Minimum 5 in each skill | Minimum 5 in each skill |
| TEER 4, 5 | Minimum 4 in each skill | Minimum 4 in each skill |
Accepted language tests:
- CELPIP – General
- IELTS – General
- TEF Canada
- TCF Canada
Test results must be less than two years old at the time of application.
8. Education Requirements
Candidates must have at least a Canadian high school diploma or an equivalent foreign credential.
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Required for most candidates unless they have a Canadian diploma or Alberta trade certificate.
- Not required for EMPP applicants.
9. Settlement Funds
Applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves and their families unless they:
- Are currently living and working in Canada.
- Are an EMPP applicant.
Settlement funds depend on community size and family members:
| Family Members | Community <1,000 | 1,000–30,000 | 30,000–99,999 |
| 1 | $8,922 | $10,151 | $11,093 |
| 2 | $11,107 | $12,636 | $13,810 |
| 3 | $13,655 | $15,534 | $16,977 |
| 4 | $16,579 | $18,861 | $20,613 |
| 5 | $18,803 | $21,392 | $23,379 |
| 6 | $21,208 | $24,127 | $26,367 |
| 7 | $23,611 | $26,861 | $29,356 |
| Additional | $2,404 | $2,735 | $2,989 |
Funds must be readily available and not borrowed.
How to Apply
- Get Endorsed: Receive an Endorsement of Candidate letter from a designated Alberta community.
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): If selected, you will be invited to apply.
- Complete the Application: Ensure all eligibility requirements are met.
- Submit to AAIP: Provide supporting documents and pay the application fee.
Final Steps
If approved, candidates:
- Receive provincial nomination.
- Apply for permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- May request a 204(c) Letter of Support for a temporary work permit while awaiting permanent residency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is eligible to apply for the Rural Renewal Stream?
To be eligible, you must have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an employer in a designated rural Alberta community. You also need an Endorsement of Candidate letter from the community and meet language, education, and work experience requirements. Refugees applying under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) must have a referral letter from an EMPP partner organization and be living outside of Canada.
What is an Endorsement of Candidate letter, and how do I get one?
An Endorsement of Candidate letter is issued by the Economic Development Organization (EDO) of a designated community in Alberta. This letter confirms that the community supports your application and that your job offer aligns with local labor needs. To get one, you must apply directly to a designated community, meet their criteria, and secure a job offer from an employer in that community.
Can I apply if I am already living and working in Alberta?
Yes, but only if you have legal status in Canada and are currently working in a designated rural community with a valid job offer. If you are already employed in Alberta but outside a designated community, you must move to and work in a designated area before applying. Refugee claimants already in Canada are not eligible for this program.
What happens after I receive a nomination from Alberta?
After receiving an AAIP nomination, you can apply for permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). While waiting for your application to be processed, you can request a 204(c) Letter of Support, which allows you to apply for a temporary work permit to start working in Alberta. The final decision on permanent residency is made by the federal government.
Do I need proof of settlement funds to apply?
You must show proof of settlement funds unless you are already working in Canada. The required amount depends on your family size and the population of your designated community. These funds must be readily available and unborrowed. EMPP applicants do not need to meet settlement fund requirements. The minimum amount ranges from $8,922 for a single person in a small community to $29,356 for a family of seven in a larger one.
