A Guide to AAIP Alberta Opportunity Stream

Job Offer

You must have a valid work permit (not implied status or restoration status) based on one of the following scenarios:

• A positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
• A valid LMIA exemption (including International Experience Canada)
• A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holder must meet additional criteria:
• The applicant’s occupation must be related to their field of study in Alberta

Work Experience

You must have full-time employment from an eligible occupation in Alberta. Your employment should also match your previous work experience. If you are a post-graduate student, your Post Graduation Work Permit must hold an occupation that matches your field of study in Alberta.

To continue working in your present occupation, you must have an authentic full-time job offer from your current Alberta employer. You and your employer must sign the employment offer, which must offer continuous, full-time, paid work in your present occupation in Alberta.

For work experience, you must meet one of the three criteria listed below:

You must have a minimum of 12 months of full-time work experience in your present job in Alberta in your last 18 months’ stay in the province.
Or
If you are in Alberta as a temporary resident for 30 years, you must have at least 24 months of full-time work experience.
Or
If you are a post-graduate student, you need a minimum of 6 months of full-time work experience in your present occupation in Alberta during the last 18 months for post-graduate work Permit holders. This occupation must be relevant to their education in Alberta.

Language Proficiency

Language proficiency is an imperative condition for this program, as it assesses your ability to communicate and work in English or French, which are the official languages of Canada. Here are some critical points regarding language proficiency for the Alberta Opportunity Stream program:

• Typically, you must show legitimate language test results to verify your ability in English or French. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) for English and the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) for French are the two most widely acknowledged language tests.
• You must show your language proficiency in either English or French, equivalent to the Canadian Language Benchmark of level 5.
• Language test results typically have a limited validity period (e.g., two years).
• If you fall under NOC Skill Levels 0, A, or B, you need CLB 5.
• If you fall under NOC Skill Levels C or D, you will only require CLB 4.
• If you fall under NOC Code 3413 (nurses’ aides, orderlies, and patient service associates), you must achieve a minimum language test score of CLB 7 for each English or French language skill.

Education

When applying for the AOS, you must have a Canadian high school diploma or the equivalent in your nation of origin. The highest level of international education must be confirmed by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from an IRCC-recognized organization, which validates your education.

If you have a Canadian degree, diploma, or certificate from a recognized Canadian post-secondary, technical college, or secondary institution, you do not need an ECA. ECAs are also not necessary if you have work experience in a compulsory or optional trade that qualifies you for the AAIP and hold a valid Alberta Qualification Certificate or trade certificate recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

If you have a Post-Graduation Work Permit and wish to apply for the AOS, you must meet the requirements for graduation for an Alberta Advanced Education-approved credential issued by an Alberta Advanced Education-approved post-secondary institution in the province.