Two New Streams Lanched In Alberta Immigration Overhaul
18 Jun 2018
The Immigrant Nominee Program of Alberta now has a simplified structure and it has added two new streams- The Alberta Opportunity Stream as well as the
Alberta Express Entry Stream. These streams are active since June 14th, 2018. They are the replacement of Employer-Driven Stream and Strategic Recruitment Stream.
These Changes were planned to begin at the start of the year, but there was consultation causing delay. This allowed more time to advocacy, industry, and labour representatives.
Presently, the major changes are in the Post Graduation Work Permit Holders in the Alberta Opportunity Stream. There are low Education and minimum income requirement norms. The AINP has a plan to introduce stringent requirements in the future.
Accordingly, the AINP has three streams in Alberta Opportunity, Alberta Express Entry and the Self-Employed Farmer Stream.
In The new Alberta Express Entry Stream the province can nominate candidates from the federal
Canada Express Entry System. Candidates need to get an Invitation to Apply prior to applying.
The stream attracts candidates who have a strong tie with Alberta who can help in boosting the economy and also add to the diversity. International graduates will receive the invitations.
The province gave the assurance to the candidates that all complete applications for the closed Stream received on or before June 14, 2018 will be valid for processing. The already pending applications for processing will be assessed as per the criteria that were in place at the time of receiving the application.
These Changes to the Alberta Opportunity Stream will simplify processes, and also help in reducing the waiting time. Moreover they will provide access to applicants in all sectors and industries in the province. Additionally they will provide better opportunities for candidates who are connected to the province.
The Requirements in the Alberta Opportunity Stream Immigration Residency and Work Permit Requirements
At the time of applying:
The candidate must have valid temporary resident status in the country which authorizes him/her to work. Refugees and temporary residents living outside Alberta are not eligible.
The candidate must have a valid work permit based on: Positive Labour Market Impact Assessment or LMIA exemption through the International Mobility Program or LMIA exemption through a PG Work Permit. Furthermore they must be working in an eligible occupation in a field of study in an approved institution in Alberta
The Alberta Immigration Occupation Requirements
While applying the candidate must be working in an eligible occupation in the province. Occupations in National Occupational Classification skill levels 0, A, B, C and D are eligible.
PG Work Permit Holders having an approved Alberta credential from an institution approved by Alberta must work in the field of their study.
The Occupations Ineligible For Alberta Immigration
NOC Code NOC Skill Level Occupation
NOC Code |
NOC Skill Level |
Occupation Title |
11 |
0 |
Legislators |
422 |
0 |
School Principals and Administrators of Elementary and Secondary Education |
423 |
0 |
Managers in Social, Community and Correctional Services |
432 |
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 |
The Alberta Immigration Language Requirements
At the time of applying a candidate must have minimum CLB 4 in all disciplines in English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens 4 in all disciplines in French for majority of NOC codes. There is a change and it will be 5 in both languages from June 14th, 2019.
The Alberta Immigration Education Requirements
At the time of applying a candidate must have completed minimum high school education in the country of origin. From January 1st , 2021 all candidates must complete a minimum of high school, that is equal to Alberta standards.
The Alberta Immigration Work Experience Requirements
At the time of applying a candidate must have
• Minimum 12 months work experience in full-time in the present occupation in Alberta in the past 18 months; or
• Minimum of 24 months full-time work experience in the present occupation in Alberta in the past 30 months. This experience can combine experience gained in the province , or in Canada and also abroad, or
• As a PG Work Permit holder, the candidate must have 6 months full-time work experience in the present occupation in Alberta within the past 18 months and in a job related to studies for a credential approved in Alberta through an approved institution.
While applying:
• A candidate must have the necessary licensing/ registration/certification to work in the present occupation in Alberta.
• A must have the genuine full-time job offer from an employer in Alberta to work in the present job in Alberta and work full-time for the employer in Alberta in that job.
• The job offer must have the signature of the candidate and Alberta employer and must offer Continuous, paid work, besides Full-time work, to the minimum of 30 hours in a week for twelve months. Moreover they must Work in the present occupation, and
The following individuals fail to gain eligibility even if they have a job offer for working for 30 hours in a week or in the 12-month period:
Part-time employees, not considering their working hours, Independent contractors, business owners or temporary agency workers, Employees who work in a place of employment that does not exist in a zone for commercial/industrial functions, Employees who work in a virtual location or work for the employer by telecommuting from outside Alberta.
The Alberta Immigration Income Requirements
While applying, a candidate must meet minimum gross annual income level depending on family size. The Family Members Included in The Alberta Opportunity Stream are self, spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, dependent children of spouse or common-law partner, and also dependent children of dependent children
Dependent children must be below 19 years and must not have a spouse/common-law partner. Moreover they must not be 19 or older. They must be unable to be financially self-sufficient.
The Income Thresholds for the Alberta Opportunity Stream
Presently, the Income threshold is set at 70 percent of Low Income Measure. This will be 75 percent on January 1, 2020 and 80 percent on January 1, 2021.
number of members in family unit (including you) |
Gross annual income required (CAD) |
1 |
$21,833 |
2 |
$30,876 |
3 |
$37,816 |
4 |
$43,666 |
5 |
$48,820 |
6 |
$53,480 |
7 |
$57,765 |
8 |
$61,753 |
9 |
$65,499 |
10 |
$69,042 |
The Requirements for the Self-Employed Farmer Stream
The qualifying norms in the Self-Employed Farmer Stream are:
• managerial experience in an existing farm enterprise;
• Education, work experience and training necessary to develop a sustainable farming business;
• A business plan for the farming enterprise;
• proof that a financial institution in Canadian is ready to finance the farming enterprise;
• $500,000 of equity to invest in the farming enterprise;
• Net worth of $500,000 or substantiation of access to funds from other sources.
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