Alberta Tourism and Hospitality Stream: Eligibility and How to Apply

The Tourism and Hospitality Stream is one of the worker streams of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, Alberta's Provincial Nominee Program. It helps hotels, restaurants, resorts, and tourism businesses keep foreign workers who already work for them.

It is a base stream, not linked to Express Entry. If Alberta nominates you, you then apply to IRCC for permanent residence as a provincial nominee.

The stream is small. As of mid-September 2026, AAIP reported:

With so few spaces left, new invitations in 2026 are likely to be limited. Check AAIP's processing information page for current numbers.

Your job must be in one of these National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 codes:

The job title on your work permit and job offer should match the duties of the NOC code.

Work permit

You need a valid work permit based on a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for an eligible occupation, or a permit under an IRCC temporary special measure. Maintained status does not qualify for this stream.

Employer

Your employer must:

• Have its main business activity in an eligible tourism or hospitality industry, based on WCB-Alberta industry codes
• Be a member of an eligible sector association when you apply
• Have valid Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) coverage, or a clearance letter showing it is exempt

Work experience

You need at least 6 consecutive months, or 780 hours, of full-time (30 hours a week or more) paid work with the same approved employer. The work must have been authorized by IRCC while you held valid temporary resident status.

Language

CLB 4 (English) or NCLC 4 (French) in each skill, from CELPIP, IELTS, PTE, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada. Results must be less than two years old. See language tests.

Education

At least high school equal to the Canadian standard. If your education is from outside Canada, you need an Educational Credential Assessment.

Job offer

A full-time job offer or contract to keep working for your current employer in an eligible occupation.

Not eligible

Part-time, casual, and seasonal workers, independent contractors, home-based workers, and remote or telecommuting jobs do not qualify.

You enter through Alberta's Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI) system:

• Submit a WEOI and pay $135 (since April 7, 2026). Alberta scores it on a 100-point grid. It stays valid for one year.
• AAIP runs separate draws for this stream. Its first Tourism and Hospitality draw of 2026 took place in February, and a May 2026 selection round also targeted this stream.
• If invited, accept within 15 days, then complete, submit, and pay the $1,500 application fee within 30 days.

Employer fees are illegal in the AAIP. Your employer, a manager, or a recruiter cannot charge you for a job offer, an LMIA, or support for your application. See our scam protection guide.

In September 2026, AAIP was reviewing Tourism and Hospitality applications received up to July 27, 2026. After nomination, base PNP applications at IRCC take longer than Express Entry. See processing times.

This stream requires a valid work permit, and maintained status is not accepted. Plan ahead:

• Check your permit's expiry date before you submit a WEOI.
• If it will expire soon, talk to your employer about a new LMIA or another way to extend your status.
• After nomination, you apply to IRCC for permanent residence. A bridging open work permit may be available if you meet IRCC's conditions.

If you have lost status, had a refusal, or worked without authorization, talk to a lawyer or licensed consultant (RCIC) before applying.

Because 2026 spaces are almost used up, keep other routes in mind:

• The Alberta Opportunity Stream covers most TEER 0 to 5 jobs, but requires 12 months of Alberta experience (or 24 months elsewhere).
• If your workplace is in a designated small community, the Rural Renewal Stream may fit.
• The federal Rural Community Immigration Pilot includes Claresholm, Alberta.
• Compare other provinces in our PNP overview. Note that some provinces now cap or exclude food service and accommodation jobs.