Two New Streams Launched In Alberta Immigration Overhaul

June 15, 2018 – Alberta’s Immigrant Nominee Program has simplified its structure by the launching two new streams.

The Alberta Opportunity Stream and Alberta Express Entry Stream became active on June 14, 2018. They replace the former Employer-Driven Stream and Strategic Recruitment Stream.

Changes were due to be made at the start of 2018, but were delayed for further stakeholder consultation. This has allowed more preparation time for industry, labour and advocacy representatives.

Several requirements from the initial planned launch have been tweaked. The major changed is the inclusion of Post Graduation Work Permit Holders under the Alberta Opportunity Stream. Education and minimum income requirements have also been slightly lowered. The AINP plans to phase in more stringent requirements in the coming months and years.

The AINP now has three streams only: Alberta Opportunity, Alberta Express Entry and the existing Self-Employed Farmer Stream.

The new Alberta Express Entry Stream allows the province to nominate candidates from the federal Canada Express Entry System. Candidates must receive an Invitation to Apply before applying. The stream is aimed at candidates with strong ties to Alberta who help boost the economy and increase diversity. International graduates will also be invited.

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The province has reassured candidates that complete applications for the Employer-Driven Stream and Strategic Recruitment Stream postmarked on or before June 14, 2018 will be accepted for processing. Those already in the queue for processing will be assessed under the eligibility criteria that was in place at the time the application was received.

“Changes to the Alberta Opportunity Stream will simplify processes, reduce wait times, and provide fair access for applicants across all sectors and industries in Alberta,” a provincial statement said. “They will also provide greater opportunities for candidates with ties to the province.”

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?

* 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. This will increase to 5 for both languages as of June 14, 2019.

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 Alberta 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.

6. What Are The Alberta Immigration Income Requirements?

At the time of your application, you must meet a minimum gross annual income level based on your family size.

What Family Members Are Included Under The Alberta Opportunity Stream?

• You, and
• Your spouse or common-law partner
• Your dependent children
• Your spouse or common-law partner’s dependent children
• Any dependent children of your dependent children
• Any dependent children of your spouse or common-law partner’s dependent children

Dependent children must be under the age of 19 and not have a spouse or common-law partner, or 19 or older and are unable to be financially self-sufficient since before the age of 19 due to a physical or mental condition

What Are The Income Thresholds For The Alberta Opportunity Stream?

Income thresholds are set at 70 per cent of the Alberta Low Income Measure. This will change to 75 per cent on January 1, 2020 and 80 per cent on January 1, 2021.

What Are The Requirements For The Self-Employed Farmer Stream?

To qualify under the Self-Employed Farmer Stream, the applicant must have:

• Prior managerial experience with an existing farm enterprise;
• Education, training and work experience necessary to develop a sustainable farming business in Alberta;
• A business plan for the farming enterprise to be developed in Alberta;
• Evidence that a Canadian financial institution is willing to finance the proposed farming enterprise;
• A minimum of $500,000 of equity to invest in the farming enterprise;
• A minimum net worth of $500,000 or confirmation of access to these funds from other sources.

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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