Looking into becoming a Permanent Resident in Alberta? Great news! The Canadian province of Alberta Immigration authorities have announced a new immigration stream under the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP). It will be known as the Opportunity stream.
Starting January 2, 2018, applications for the Opportunity stream will open. The Opportunity stream will enable foreign workers in Alberta to acquire Canadian permanent residence quicker. Like other AINP streams, this is a base Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream, whereby applications are processed entirely outside the federal Express Entry selection system. Successful applicants to the AINP obtain a provincial nomination, which may then be used to apply for permanent residence.
This stream will replace two AINP streams: the Employer-Driven stream and the Strategic Recruitment stream. Rest assured that until the Opportunity stream takes effect, applications under the existing streams will continue to be accepted, and processing of those applications may continue after January, 2018.
Opportunity stream basic requirements include but are not limited to:
Job Offer
Applicants must have a job offer from an employer in Alberta. The job offer does not necessarily need to be in a skilled occupation, as most occupations under National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill levels 0, A, B, C and D are eligible.
Temporary resident status in Alberta
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Applicants must have valid temporary resident status at the time of the application, and must not be living or working in a province or territory other than Alberta.Applicants not working in a job supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) must have an exemption for workers covered under international trade agreements, workers transferred within a company, or people taking part in International Experience Canada (IEC), as determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
English or French Ability
Applicants must also prove English or French ability at or above Canadian Language Benchmark 4, as proven by a language test recognized by the government of Alberta. This is a lower requirement than for many other economic immigration programs in Canada, including the popular Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC). As of January 2, 2019, the test score required for English and French language skills will be increased to a minimum of CLB 5 in each language skill. However, a higher language ability threshold of CLB 7 or higher has been set for nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 3413).
Education
Like the FSWC, applicants must have completed high school or a higher level of education. Applicants who did not study in Canada need to obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a recognized authority. In certain instances, applicants with work experience that qualifies them in a compulsory or optional trade, and who also have a recognized valid Alberta Qualification Certificate or trade certificate, may not have to obtain an ECA, even if they did not study in Canada.
Currently Employed
Applicants must have either a minimum of 12 months full-time work experience in their current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months, or a minimum of 24 months of full-time work experience in their 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 another Canadian province or territory and/or abroad).
Income
Applicants must satisfy a minimum income threshold, depending on the size of their family.
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