Requirements for Alberta Opportunity Stream

Temporary resident status

You need to have a valid temporary resident status in Canada that allows you to work (e.g., as a temporary foreign worker) to be eligible under the AOS.

However, certain residency statuses are considered ineligible, including refugee claimants or those going through a federal appeal or removal process.

Additionally, temporary residents living or working in other Canadian provinces and foreign nationals without a valid temporary resident status in Canada are also not eligible.

Implied or maintained status is not eligible for the Alberta Opportunity Stream.

International Graduates of Alberta post-secondary institute

International students who complete their studies at an approved Alberta post-secondary institution and work in Alberta on a Post-Graduation Work Permit can benefit from the Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS). Formerly known as AINP, the Alberta Advantage Immigrant Program (AAIP) encourages these students to apply, requiring a minimum of six months of work experience in a field related to their studies, with less stringent requirements than for other applicants. They must also meet specified minimum language and income criteria.

Valid work permit

To qualify, you must possess a valid work permit for an eligible occupation, obtained through either a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and currently work in an occupation related to your field of study in Alberta, an LMIA exemption based on international trade agreements, Intra-Company Transferees, or participation in International Experience Canada as determined by IRCC.

Language ability

To be eligible, you need to demonstrate a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) test score of 4 or 5 in either English or French. For those working in NOC TEER Category 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations, the minimum requirement is CLB5 for each language skill. For NOC TEER Category 4 or 5 occupations, the requirement is CLB4 for each language skill.

However, if you’re applying under NOC code 33102 (Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates), the minimum required language test score is CLB7 for each language skill, rather than CLB4.

Education requirement

When applying for the AOS, you must have finished at least a Canadian high school diploma or its equivalent in your home country. The highest level of foreign education needs confirmation through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from an IRCC-recognized organization.

ECAs are unnecessary if you possess a Canadian degree, diploma, or certificate from a recognized Canadian institution. The same applies if you have relevant work experience for the AAIP in a trade and hold a valid Alberta Qualification Certificate.

For AOS applicants with a Post-Graduation Work Permit, graduation requirements for an approved Alberta Advanced Education credential and a credential that is ministry approved, not institution approved, must be met.

If admitted to an Alberta Advanced Education program before April 1, 2019, you may be eligible to apply to this stream as of July 10, 2018. Minimum high school education is generally required, unless you hold a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

Skilled work experience

When applying for the Alberta Advantage Immigrant Program (AAIP), you must meet specific work experience criteria. This includes having either 12 months of full-time work in your current Alberta occupation within the last 18 months or 24 months of full-time work in your current occupation within the last 30 months, whether in Alberta, elsewhere in Canada, or abroad. 

Post-Graduation Work Permit holders need at least 6 months of full-time work in their current Alberta occupation within the last 18 months. Work experience must be full-time, in the same occupation, authorized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and cannot include co-op or internship experience unless completed as part of a Post-Graduation Work Permit program in Alberta. Additionally, all applicants, including Post-Graduation Work Permit holders, must have the necessary licensing, registration, or certification for their occupation in Alberta. Specific requirements apply for those working in compulsory trades or as childcare workers.

Job offers

To apply for the AOS, you need a valid job offer from an Alberta employer in your current occupation, and you must be working full-time in Alberta. You also must have the necessary licensing, registration, or certification for your occupation in Alberta.

The job offer should:

• Be for continuous, paid, and full-time work, defined as at least 30 hours per week for 12 months or more in an eligible AAIP occupation.
• Be signed by both you and the Alberta employer.
• Offer employment for 12 months or more.
• Be in your current occupation.
• Be in an eligible AAIP occupation for which you have a work permit meeting AAIP requirements.

Job offers for part-time employees, independent contractors, business owners, temporary agency workers, those working in non-commercial or non-industrial locations in Alberta, or those working outside Alberta (e.g., telecommuting) are considered ineligible.

Occupations

When applying, you should be currently employed in an eligible occupation in Alberta that aligns with your prior work experience. If you have a Post-Graduation Work Permit and hold an approved Alberta Advanced Education post-secondary credential, you must work in a field related to your study in Alberta. For those with a one-year post-graduate certificate from Alberta, your employment should be related to your previous undergraduate or graduate field of study outside Canada. The AAIP considers most occupations under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) teer categories 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 as eligible.

List of ineligible occupations for AOS