Alberta Opportunity Stream

The Alberta Opportunity Stream allows temporary foreign workers in Alberta to apply for permanent residence through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, if they meet specific criteria.

To qualify, candidates must already be working full-time in Alberta and have a full-time job offer from an Alberta employer in an eligible occupation.

They must hold either a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an accepted LMIA exemption work permit.

Applicants must also meet minimum requirements for work permit type, occupation, language, education, job offer, and work experience.

This Stream Is For You If:

• You are a temporary foreign worker already working full-time in Alberta.
• You have a full-time job offer from an Alberta employer in an eligible occupation.
• You hold a valid work permit, such as a positive LMIA, LMIA exemption, or a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
• You meet minimum requirements for occupation, language skills, education, work experience, and Alberta job offer criteria.
• You are committed to living and working in Alberta while contributing to its economy.

On This Page You Will Find:

• An overview of the Alberta Opportunity Stream and its purpose within the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program.
• Eligibility criteria for temporary foreign workers, including work permit, occupation, and job offer requirements.
• Details on residency, language, education, and work experience standards needed to qualify.
• Specific guidelines for Post-Graduation Work Permit holders.
• Information on ineligible occupations and individuals not eligible for this program.

What Are the Requirements for The Alberta Opportunity Stream?

Interested candidates must meet several categories of requirements to qualify for the Alberta Opportunity Stream. Unless otherwise specified, all requirements must be met at the time of submission of application and at the time AAIP assesses the application.

1. Residency and Work Permit Requirements

Eligible candidates must have a valid temporary resident status in Canada that authorizes them to work.

• The valid work permit must be based on either:
  • Positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
  • LMIA exemption via international trade agreements, inter-company transferees, International Experience Canada or Mobilité Francophone.
  • Post-Graduate Work Permit.
  • Open Work Permit issued under one of IRCC’s temporary public policies.
• The candidates must not work in an ineligible occupation.

Ineligible candidates:

• refugees, those under appeal or removal proceedings;
• temporary residents living outside of Alberta;
• temporary residents on implied status or restoration status

2. Occupation Requirements

To qualify for the Alberta Opportunity Stream, you must be working in an eligible occupation in Alberta.

Most occupations under NOC TEER Categories 0, 1, 2, 3 4 and 5 are eligible.

The occupation must not be on Alberta’s list of ineligible occupations.

Post-Graduation Work Permit holders must also meet additional requirements:

• your current occupation must be related to your field of study in Alberta;
• see below for further requirements.

3. Language Requirements

Effective January 1^st 2020, at the time of your application, you must provide test results showing:

• minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 for all language skills in English or in French, for candidates applying under NOC TEER 1, 2 or 3.
• minimum CLB level 4 for all language skills in English or in French, for candidates applying under NOC TEER 4 or 5.

Only those applying under NOC code 33102 (Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates) must provide a minimum language test score of CLB/NCLC level 7 for each language skill in English or in French.

4. Education Requirements

Candidates must have completed a minimum of high school equivalent to Alberta standards. An Educational Credential Assessment is required if the education credential is obtained outside Canada.

Post-Graduation Work Permit holders must also:

• Have a credential issued by an approved institution that is one of the following:
  • Certificate or post-graduate certificate of minimum one year.
  • Diploma program of minimum two years.
  • Undergraduate bachelor’s degree.
  • Graduate-level degree, certificate or diploma.
• Your insitution must be on the Alberta Opportunity Stream approved list.

5. Work Experience Requirements

At the time of your application, you must have:

• Minimum of 12 months of full-time work experience in your current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months; or
• Minimum of 24 months of full-time work experience in your current occupation in Canada and/or abroad within the last 30 months (combination of experience gained in Alberta, in Canada (outside Alberta) and/or abroad).

As a Post-Graduation Work Permit holder, you must have a minimum of 6 months of full-time work experience:

• in your current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months AND
• in an occupation related to your studies for an Alberta-approved credential at an Alberta-approved institution.

Additional requirements:

• The work experience must have been full-time, in the same occupation as your current occupation, authorized if gained in Canada;
  You must have the required licensing, registration or certification to work in your current occupation in Alberta;

Eligible Job Offers

You must have a full-time job offer from an Alberta employer to work in your current occupation in Alberta and be working full-time for that employer in Alberta in that occupation;

Your job offer must be signed by you and your Alberta employer and must offer:

• Continuous, paid work,
• Full-time work (minimum of 30 hours/week for 12 months),
• Work in your current occupation, and
• Wages and benefits that meet provincial minimum wage.

The following individuals are not eligible, even if they have a job offer to work 30 hours a week or more in a 12-month period:

• Part-time employees, regardless of their working hours,
• Independent contractors, business owners or temporary agency workers, or
• Employees who work in Alberta in a place of employment that is not zoned for commercial or industrial operations, such as a home-based business
• Employees who do not work on premises in Alberta, such as those who work in a “virtual” location or serve the employer by telecommuting from a location outside Alberta.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)