Eligibility is based on an applicant meeting all of the below criteria. Only then may they apply to the AINP through the Alberta Opportunity stream.

Published by Hillfield Immigration on 30th June, 2021

Applicants must be employed in an eligible occupation, when your application is postmarked, and when the AINP assesses the application. 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, set out in their Labour Market Impact Assessment or you can speak with an immigration consultant as well.

Most jobs with a National Occupational Classification (NOC) level of 0, A, B, C, or D are considered eligible. These conditions must be met at both the time your application is postmarked, and when the AINP assesses it.

You must be in Canada on a valid temporary foreign worker status. Refugees, temporary residents living or working outside of Alberta, and foreign nationals without valid temporary status, are not eligible.

You must have a valid work permit – not implied status, or restoration status. This can be based on a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), or participants of temporary work permit programs like International Experience Canada.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate ability in English and/or French, as determined by a formal language assessment (CELPIP, IELTS, or TEF). The test must be less than two years old when your application is postmarked.

For applicants working at NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B: A minimum score equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) is required 5 in each skill. These requirements are lower than other popular immigration programs, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC).

At Hillfield Immigration, we can assist you with figuring out qualification and what stream is best for you. Please note that If you apply to the AINP under NOC code 3413 (Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates), the AINP requires a minimum language test score of CLB of 7 for each language skill.

The Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) is for temporary foreign workers who are already working full-time in Alberta and have a full-time job offer from an Alberta employer in an eligible occupation. Candidates must have a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or hold one of the accepted LMIA exemption work permits. Candidates must also meet other minimum eligibility criteria for residency and work permit type, occupation, language, education, Alberta job offer and work experience.

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) is an economic immigration program that nominates people for permanent residence in Alberta. Nominees must have skills to fill job shortages or be planning to buy or start a business in Alberta. They must also be able to provide for their families. The program is run by the governments of Alberta and Canada.

If you are nominated through the program, you may apply for permanent residence status together with your spouse or common-law partner, and dependent children.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada manages applications for permanent residence. The federal government also makes final decisions on these applications. You can contact an immigration consultant to find out more about the process.