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TLDR
Alberta launched the Eligibility Explorer on June 17, 2026, a free online tool on the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) website that screens prospective applicants before they submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
The tool separates users into worker or entrepreneur pathways and shows which of eight AAIP streams may fit their situation.
Worker EOIs carry a $135 fee and entrepreneur EOIs cost $200.
Alberta says the tool is guidance only and does not confirm eligibility or guarantee an invitation.
Calgary — The Government of Alberta launched a new online screening tool on June 17 that helps prospective immigrants identify which Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) streams they may qualify for before they pay to submit an Expression of Interest.
The tool, called the Eligibility Explorer, can be found on the AAIP website and walks users through a short questionnaire. Within minutes, it returns a list of permanent residence pathways that could fit based on the answers provided, according to CIC News. Users can then review full stream requirements or start an EOI directly through the portal.
The pre-screening step could be helpful because Alberta charges for EOIs. Alberta charges a $135 fee for worker EOI submissions, a cost introduced on April 7, 2026. Entrepreneur EOIs cost $200, and the Farm Stream bypasses the EOI entirely with a $3,500 straight-to-application fee.
How the Eligibility Explorer sorts applicants
The Eligibility Explorer's first question asks users whether they intend to live and work in Alberta, or start or buy a business in the province. That split mirrors the AAIP's own structure, which divides into worker streams and entrepreneur streams.
For people on the worker side, the tool asks about their job offer, Alberta residency status, work permit type (if already in Alberta), and National Occupational Classification (NOC) code.
For those on the entrepreneur side, it asks about educational background, investment capacity, and interest in setting up a business in a rural area.
Alberta says the tool is for guidance only
It does not confirm eligibility and does not guarantee an invitation to apply after an EOI is submitted.
That reflects how the AAIP works. Alberta's application guidance states there is "no guarantee" a person will be invited after submitting a worker EOI, and the province reserves the right to consider factors like labour market conditions, occupational supply and demand forecasting, and application volumes when deciding whom to invite.
The AAIP is jointly operated by the governments of Alberta and Canada. Alberta handles nominations, but Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) makes the final permanent residence decision.
What this means for you
If you are considering applying to the AAIP, the Eligibility Explorer is a useful first step. Read the full stream criteria before submitting an EOI. Before using the tool, gather the facts it will ask about: your NOC code, job offer details, work permit type, Alberta residency status, or, on the entrepreneur side, your education credentials, investment budget, and rural interest.
The tool can help you avoid paying a $135 or $200 EOI fee for a stream you do not fit.
A match on the tool does not mean you meet eligibility. Read the full stream requirements before submitting.
If you hold an Express Entry profile, confirm your CRS score is at least 300 and check which pathways Alberta is prioritizing in current draws.
The worker EOI lasts 12 months, so timing your submission around Alberta's draw priorities can matter.
