November 2, 2018 – Alberta immigration has made two important changes to the requirements for the Alberta Opportunity Stream.
The changes relate to income thresholds and minimum language requirements, and are being applied to applications received by the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program after June 14, 2018.
In the first change, the income requirement for the Alberta Opportunity Stream has been removed.
A provincial statement said: “The AINP will still check whether candidates are being paid the provincial minimum wage and whether they’re being paid the minimum wage for their occupation.
“Successful nominees already have jobs when they apply to the program, which helps to show that they can support themselves and their families.”
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The second change sees the language requirement remain at Canadian Language Benchmark 4 for jobs in National Occupational Classification (NOC) C and D. There had been a plan to increase the requirement to CLB 5.
At the same time, those applying with jobs in NOC 0, A and B can also continue to apply with a CLB 4. A previous plan to increase the requirement to CLB 5 Has been delayed until January 1, 2020.
“These changes will make it easier for people to apply to the program and will help make sure Alberta can continue to fill job shortages with qualified candidates when there are no Albertans or Canadians available to do the work,” the provincial statement said.
“After candidates have been nominated, the federal government will determine whether candidates are able to support themselves and their families over the long term.”
About the Alberta Opportunity Stream
The Alberta Opportunity Stream launched on June 14, 2018, replacing the Employer-Driven Stream and Strategic Recruitment Stream. The launch was delayed after initially being planned for January 2018.
It is designed to simplify the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program application process, reduce waiting times and make the system fairer for candidates and employers.
What Are The Requirements for The Alberta Opportunity Stream?
1. What Are The Alberta Immigration Residency and Work Permit Requirements?
At the time of your application:
- You must have valid temporary resident status in Canada that authorizes you to work. Refugees, those under appeal or removal proceedings and temporary residents living outside of Alberta are ineligible.
- You must have a valid work permit based on:
- Positive Labour Market Impact Assessment OR
- LMIA exemption via the International Mobility Program OR
- LMIA exemption through a Post-Graduate Work Permit, plus be working in an eligible occupation in your field of study at an approved Alberta institution.
2. What Are The Alberta Immigration Occupation Requirements?
At the time of your application you must be working in an eligible occupation in Alberta. Most occupations under National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill levels 0, A, B, C and D are eligible under the AINP.
Post-Graduate Work Permit Holders with an approved Alberta credential from an approved Alberta institution must be working in their field of study.
What Occupations Are Ineligible For Alberta Immigration?
| NOC Code | NOC Skill Level | Occupation Title |
| 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 and Assistants (only those without certification as a Child Development Worker (Level 2) or Child Development Supervisor (Level 3) through Alberta Children’s Services – Child Care Staff Certification Office)* |
| 4216 | B | Other Instructors |
| 4217 | B | Other Religious Occupations |
| 5232 | B | Other Performers, n.e.c. |
| 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, n.e.c. |
| 8611 | D | Harvesting Labourers |
| 8612 | D | Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Labourers |
| 8613 | D | Aquaculture and Marine Harvest Labourers |
| 8614 | D | Mine Labourers |
* Some occupations that fall under the NOC code are eligible
Occupations listed here are also ineligible.
3. What Are The Alberta Immigration Language Requirements?
At the time of your application you must have minimum Canadian Language Benchmark 4 for all disciplines in English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens 4 for all disciplines in French for the majority of NOC codes.
For NOC 0, A and B, the language requirement will increase to level 5 from January 1, 2020.
If you apply under NOC code 3413 (nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates), the minimum language score rises to 7.
4. What Are The Alberta Immigration Education Requirements?
At the time of your application you must have completed minimum high school education in your country of origin. Effective January 1, 2021 candidates will need to have completed a minimum of high school equivalent to Alberta standards.
5. What Are The Alberta Immigration Work Experience Requirements?
At the time of your application, you must have:
- Minimum of 12 months 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. This work experience can be a combination of experience gained in Alberta, in Canada (outside Alberta) and/or abroad, or
- As a Post-Graduation Work Permit holder, have a minimum of 6 months 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 Alverta approved credential at an Alberta approved institution.
At the time of your application:
- You must have the required licensing, registration or certification to work in your current occupation in Alberta.
- You must have a bona fide 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, defined as a minimum of 30 hours/week for 12 months,
- Work in your current occupation, and
- Work for an eligible AINP occupation for which you have a work permit that meets AINP work permit requirements.
- 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.
Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.
Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.
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