Alberta Opportunity Stream

What is the Alberta Opportunity Stream?

The Alberta Opportunity Stream is designed for temporary foreign workers who are currently employed full-time in Alberta and have received a job offer from an eligible Alberta employer in a full-time occupation. To be eligible, candidates must have a favorable Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or possess one of the accepted LMIA exemption work permits. Additionally, candidates must satisfy several other criteria relating to residency and work permit type, occupation, language proficiency, education, work experience, and the Alberta job offer.

What are the occupation requirements for the Alberta Opportunity Stream?

The two main occupation requirements for the Alberta Opportunity Stream are as follows:

• Applicants must be employed in an eligible occupation at the time of application and assessment by the AAIP.
• Most jobs with a National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 are considered eligible, with a few exceptions.

What are the residency and work permit requirements for the Alberta Opportunity Stream?

The following are the residence and work permit requirements for the Alberta Opportunity Stream:

• Applicants must be in Canada on a valid temporary foreign worker status and have a valid work permit.
• If you are on a post-graduation open work permit, 6 months of your work experience MUST be in an industry related to your education. Moreover, your education must be completed inside Alberta at a qualifying institution. 
• Refugees, temporary residents living or working outside Alberta, and foreign nationals without valid temporary status are not eligible.

What are the language requirements for the Alberta Opportunity Stream?

To be eligible for the Alberta Opportunity Stream, the applicant must meet the following language requirements:

• Applicants must demonstrate ability in English and/or French, as determined by a formal language assessment (CELPIP, IELTS, or TEF).
• The minimum language score requirements vary based on the NOC code of the applicant’s occupation, with a minimum score of CLB 5 required for NOC codes TEER 0-3, and CLB 4 required for NOC codes TEER 4 and 5.
• Applicants with NOC code 33102 (Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates) must have a minimum language test score of CLB 7 for each language skill.

What are the educational requirements for the Alberta Opportunity Stream?

The applicant must meet the following education criteria to be eligible for the Alberta Opportunity Stream:

• Applicants must have completed high school or a higher level of education.
• Applicants must submit a copy of an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for their highest level of education.
• If the applicant is starting in Canada as an international student, they must complete their education inside Alberta. 

Is there any work experience requirement for the Alberta Opportunity Stream?

The work experience requirements for the Alberta Opportunity Stream are as follows:

• Applicants must have at least 12 months of full-time work experience in their current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months or at least 24 months of full-time work experience in their current occupation in Canada and/or abroad within the last 30 months.
• The work experience must have been full-time, and part-time work will not meet eligibility requirements.
• If you are on a post-graduation open work permit, you can qualify after 6 months of work, so long as that work is in an industry related to your field of study.