Permanent Immigration.
Express Entry
Express Entry is an online system that is used by IRCC to manage applications for permanent residence from skilled workers.
There are three programs under which an applicant may be eligible for. They are Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades and Canadian Experience Class.
Canadian provinces/territories also select candidates from the Express Entry pool for nomination. The eligibility criteria varies by province/territories.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
Provinces and territories in Canada have their own specific needs for meeting local labour needs. As such they have their own eligibility criteria set for various PNP programs that are open to potential applicants. There are differences for language scores needed, amount of skilled or unskilled work experience required etc.
AINP
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program or (AINP) has 2 main streams in which the Alberta Government nominates applicants for Permanent Residency. The Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) and the Alberta Express Entry Stream. There is now a new stream call the International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream (IGEIS) effective late October 2020.