2018: New Alberta Immigration Streams

Alberta Immigration Streams

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) is Alberta’s Provincial Nominee Program which enables applicants who have the skills and experience required in Alberta to receive an Alberta Provincial Nomination Certificate which helps expedite their overall immigration process to Canada. Currently, the AINP has three immigration streams:

• Strategic Recruitment Stream
• Employer-Driven Stream
• Self-Employed Farmer Stream

However, in January 2018, the AINP will open two new Alberta immigration streams: The Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) and the Alberta Express Entry Stream. AOS will replace the Employer Driven Stream.

Alberta’s Express Entry Stream

Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination through an Express Entry stream receive 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points and an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Currently, the eligibility criteria for Alberta’s Express Entry Stream has not been disclosed.

Alberta’s Opportunity Stream (AOS)

To qualify for AOS, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Have a valid temporary resident status at the time of application.
• Not be living or working in any other territory or province.
• Have a valid work permit for an eligible occupation.

Language Proficiency

• A minimum score of 4in each language skill: listening, reading, writing and speaking in English or French.

Education

• Minimum requirement: completion of Canadian high school diploma or equivalent.
• Applicants with a foreign education need to verify their diplomas, degrees and/or certificates through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recognized organization.

Work Experience

• Have a minimum of 12 months full-time work experience in their current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months or have a minimum of 24 months of full-time work experience in their current occupation in Canada and/or overseas within the last 30 months.
• The work experience must be full-time experience for a minimum of 30 hours/week.

Job Offer

• Have a valid job offer from an employer in Alberta to work in the current occupation.
• The job offer must be continuous, paid work, full-time work, defined as a minimum of 30 hours/week for 12 months.

Income Level

• To qualify for AOS, an applicant is required to meet certain income levels depending on his/her number of family members.

Occupation

Below is a list of ineligible occupations under the AOS:

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