Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) is one of the streams of Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP). It has been created for experienced workers who have a valid work permit for an eligible occupation.
Requirements
General requirements for applicants under Alberta Opportunity Stream:
Legal status: a valid temporary resident status in Canada.
Education: a minimum of high school education in the country of origin.
Language requirements:
— a minimum language test score of CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) of 4 for each English language skill or of NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) of 4 for each French language skill;
— for those applying under National Occupational Classification (NOC) code 3413 (nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates): a minimum language test score of CLB or NCLC of 7;
— official language test results less than 2 years old for CELPIP or IELTS for English and TEF or TCF for French;
— as of January 1, 2020, you must meet a minimum of CLB 5 for each English or French language skill if you work in a NOC 0, A or B occupation.
Work experience:
— a minimum of 12 months of full-time work experience (a minimum of 30 hours a week) in your current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months;
— or a minimum of 24 months of full-time work experience in your current occupation in Canada or abroad within the last 30 months.
Work permit:
— a valid work permit in Canada for an eligible occupation;
— a work permit should be based on a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or on an LMIA exemption.
Job:
— a job in an eligible occupation in Alberta that matches your previous work experience;
— a job offer or employment contract from an Alberta employer.
Additional requirements for holders of Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs):
- Your current occupation should be related to your field of study in Alberta
- If you are enrolled in Alberta program before April 1, 2019, your credential (a degree, certificate or diploma) must be issued by an Alberta post-secondary institution approved by Alberta Advanced Education
- You should have a minimum of 6 months of full-time work experience in your current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months
Categories and Occupations of Applicants
The following categories cannot apply under Alberta Opportunity Stream:
- Refugee claimants
- Individuals who have received a removal order (those who have been asked to leave Canada)
- Temporary residents living or working in a Canadian province or territory other than Alberta
- Foreign nationals living or working in Canada without a valid temporary resident status
Most occupations under NOC skill levels 0, A, B, C, and D are eligible under this AINP stream.
However, there are exceptions (NOC):
0011 0 Legislators
0422 0 School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education
0423 0 Managers in social, community and correctional services
0432 0 Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers
0651 0 Escort agency managers, massage parlour managers
4031 A Secondary school teachers
4032 A Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
4154 A Professional occupations in religion
5121 A Authors and writers
5133 A Musicians and singers
5135 A Actors and comedians
5136 A Painters, sculptors and other visual artists
1227 B Court officers and justices of the peace
3223 B Dental laboratory assistants/bench workers
4214 B Early childhood educators who do not have certification through Alberta
4216 B Other instructors
4217 B Other religious occupations
5232 B Other performers, not elsewhere classified
5244 B Artisans and craftspersons
5251 B Athletes
6232 B Real estate agents and salespersons
4411 C Home child care providers
4412 C Home support workers, housekeepers and related occupations
4413 C Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
6533 C Casino occupations
6564 C Other personal service occupations
7513 C Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs
8442 C Trappers and hunters
6623 D Other sales related occupations
6722 D Operators and attendants in amusement, recreation and sport
6742 D Other service support occupations, not elsewhere classified
8611 D Harvesting labourers
8612 D Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers
8613 D Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers
8614 D Mine labourers
Find out about other AINP streams in the article “Immigration to Alberta”.