Alberta Opportunity Stream

The Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) is available for temporary foreign workers who are already working full-time in Alberta and have a full-time employment offer from an Alberta employer in a qualified occupation. Candidates must have a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or one of the accepted LMIA exemption work permits in order to be considered. Candidates must also meet other minimum eligibility requirements, such as residency and type of work permit issued, occupation type, language skills, educational achievement, job offer in Alberta, and employment history.

Eligibility Criteria of Alberta Opportunity Stream

At the time of sending or submitting the application to the AINP online site, and at the time the AINP examines the application, the applicant must have a valid temporary resident status in Canada, for a qualifying occupation, not implied status, automatic extension of status, or restoration status.

One of the following conditions must be met for a valid work permit:

1. A positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

2. A worker’s LMIA exemption is granted for one of the reasons listed below (as determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)):

• Agreements on International Trade,
• Within a corporation, employees are transferred.,
• International Experience Canada,
• Mobilité Francophone, or

An open work permit issued by IRCC to:

• Vulnerable workers who have proved that they are being abused or are at risk of being abused while working in Canada, including those who qualify for the Vulnerable Workers Open Work Permit (VWOWP) exemption, or
• The family members of a vulnerable worker under the VWOWP exemption

3. A graduate of an Alberta post-secondary institution (Advanced Education publicly supported) holding a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), who also meet particular vocation, education, and work experience requirements.

VALID JOB OFFER

The applicant and the employer must both sign the job offer in Alberta, and it must:

• Have worked full-time for at least 30 hours each week
• Valid for 12 months or more.
• Related to the current occupation
• Meet minimum wages and benefits requirements set by the province.

Note: If LMIA exempt, it must meet or exceed the lowest starting wage for occupation across all industries in Alberta as set out on the Alis website. •

Language Requirements for AOS

In order to submit an AOS application, an applicant must achieve a minimum language exam score in English or French.

Education Requirements for AOS

Effective from January 1, 2021, the applicant must have completed a minimum of high school education comparable to the education standards of Alberta at the time of submitting the application.

An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Report issued by one of the designated bodies by IRCC is required for considering the highest level of education.

For Post-Graduation Work Permit holders, credential must be issued by an Alberta Advanced Education publicly funded post-secondary institution, and:

1. If the candidate began his Alberta credential program prior to April 1, 2019, his certificate must be one of the Alberta Advanced Education recognized credentials listed below:

• Certificate or post-diploma certificate or post-baccalaureate certificate (minimum 1 year in length)
• Diploma program (minimum 2 years in length)
• Undergraduate bachelor’s degree
• Graduate level degree
• Graduate level certificate
• Graduate level diploma

2. If the candidate began his Alberta credential program on or after April 1, 2019, his certificate must be one of the Alberta Advanced Education recognized credentials listed below:

• Post-diploma certificate or post-baccalaureate certificate (minimum 1 year in length)
• Diploma program (minimum 2 years in length)
• Undergraduate bachelor’s degree
• Graduate level degree
• Graduate level certificate
• Graduate level diploma

Work Experience Requirements for AOS

At the time of mailing or submitting the application through the AINP’s online portal, the applicant must meet one of the following conditions:

• A minimum of 12 months full-time job experience in your present occupation during the last 18 months in Alberta, or
• Within the last 30 months, a minimum of 24 months of full-time work experience in your present occupation in Canada or abroad, or both — this work experience can be a combination of experience earned in Alberta, Canada (outside Alberta), or abroad.

For Post-Graduation Work Permit holders a minimum of 6 months full-time work experience in present occupation in Alberta during the last 18 months is necessary.

List of Ineligible Occupations for AOS