Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) – Alberta PNP

Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) is a pathway under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). This category invites temporary foreign workers with a valid work permit and a permanent job-offer from an employer in Alberta. 

This article includes

1. Eligibility Requirements
2. Steps to Apply
3. Document Checklist
4. Processing time and Fee
5. List of Ineligible Occupations

Eligibility Requirements 

Before applying for provincial nomination through the Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS), verify that you meet all the eligibility requirements given below. 

Eligibility factors	Requirements
Academic Qualifications	High school education is mandatory for Alberta Opportunity Stream.  If you have a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP): – Your credentials must be issued by an Albertan publicly funded post-secondary institution. They should be minister approved credentials. Institution approved academic credentials are not valid for the AOS pathway. -Valid credentials include: a. Post-diploma certificate of at least one year b. Diploma of at least 2 years c. Undergraduate degree d. Graduate degree, certification or diploma
Language Proficiency	a. If the NOC code of your occupation belongs to TEER 0,1,2 or 3, you must score at least CLB 5 (or NCLC 5) in a language proficiency test.  b. If your job belongs to TEER 4 or 5, you must have at least CLB 4 (NCLC 4).  c. If you are applying under the NOC code 33102, you must score at least CLB 7 (NCLC 7) Note: AAIP accepts TCF and TEF for French language proficiency. You can take the IELTS or CELPIP for English language proficiency. Your language test must not be older than 2 years.
Work Experience	a. You must already be working in Alberta for at least one year within the last 18 months. The job must be paid, continuous and full-time.  b. If the work experience is gained outside Alberta (Canada or outside), 24 months within the last 30 months is mandatory. c. Applicants with a PGWP must have at least 6 months of full-time work experience within the last 18 months. This experience must not be acquired while studying or doing an internship.
Occupation	The work experience and the job offer must belong to the same NOC code. Almost all NOC codes are eligible for the Alberta AOS pathway. A complete list of ineligible occupations is given in the sections below.
Job Offers	All applicants must already have a valid job-offer at the time of applying for the Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS). The job-offer must: – Be signed by both the applicant as well the Alberta employer. – Should be continuous  – Be paid – Full-time – Must be in the same NOC code as your work experience – Must pay minimum wage
Work Permit	At the time AAIP application is submitted and processed, the applicant must have a valid work permit (PGWP or Open Work Permit, if applicable).
Licensing and Certification	a. If required, all applicants must be eligible for certification or licensure at the time of applying to the Alberta Opportunity Stream. b. If your occupation is a compulsory trade in Alberta, a trade certificate is mandatory. This certificate must be recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Trade (AIT) c. If the applicant is a childcare worker, they must have valid certification as Level 2 or Level 3 Early Childhood Educator.
Residency	The applicant must be a legal temporary resident of Canada with a temporary foreign worker permit.

Steps to Apply

Steps to apply to the Alberta Opportunity Stream include six main steps

1. Ensure that you meet all the eligibility requirements

Before applying to the Alberta Opportunity Stream, ensure that you satisfy all the eligibility criteria listed in the section above. Moreover, read all the terms and conditions carefully before beginning to apply.

2. Create an account on the AAIP portal

AAIP accepts AOS applications exclusively through the online mode. Register and create an account in the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program portal. Create a new application and select the Alberta Opportunity Stream category as illustrated in the images below.

3. Apply to the AAIP Alberta Opportunity Stream

Once you have created an application for the AAIP AOS pathway, you will be required to upload all the documents and information asked in the various sections of the application. This is illustrated in the image below. A complete document checklist is given in the section below.

4. Pay application fee

Once you have completed and uploaded all the required documents, submit the application for Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) and pay $840 CAD. The application fee for AOS is non-refundable. It must be paid within 24 hours of submitting the application.

5. Get a nomination

If your application is approved by the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, you will receive a Provincial Nomination package through email.

6. Apply for Canada PR

Once you become a provincial nominee through the AAIP Alberta Opportunity Stream, apply to IRCC for Canada PR within 6 months or 180 days. You must maintain the eligibility requirements throughout the time your PR application is being processed. In case your work permit is nearing expiry, ensure that you extend it. Provincial nomination is valid only for 6 months. You will need to pay an extra $150 CAD incase of nomination extension.

Document Checklist

In order to complete the application for Alberta Opportunity Stream, an applicant will need to submit documents for various sections such as academic qualifications, language proficiency, work experience, etc. Mandatory documents for the AAIP Alberta Opportunity Stream are listed below.

• Passport 
• Work Permit
• Language test that is not older than two years
• Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) report from ESDC Canada
• In case you are LMIA exempt, you might need to upload and one of the following:

1. copy of exemption approval letter from the visa office
2. Document from the IRCC stating the exemption
3. A Post Graduate Work Permit (if applicable)

• Secondary and post-secondary degrees, certificates or diplomas
• Transcripts of your Alberta education that includes the date of enrollment.
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if your education is from outside Canada. 
• Pay slips or statement of earning of the last three months. This must include the number of hours worked, the hourly wage, and the number of hours worked. 
• Reference letters from the employer. A reference letter informs about your full-time work experience. The letter must be signed by the company’s manager or supervisor. It must include:
  • Job title
  • Salary
  • Date of joining and leaving
  • Working hours per week
  • Job duties and responsibilities
  • Qualifying education and training for the job
  • Complete contact information of the employer and the company
• Job offer or employment contract by the Alberta employer. The job offer must:
  • Be on the official letterhead of the company
  • Include complete contact information of the employer and the company.
  • Show your job duties
  • Include your wage
  • Mention the duration of employment
  • Include working hours
  • Be signed by both you and the employer
• Trade certificates recognised by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Trade or AIT (if applicable)
• Licenses and certifications mandatory to be eligible to work in your occupation (if applicable)

Note: If your documents are in a language other than English and French, you must upload the original paperwork along with translation copies. The documents must be translated by a certified translator.

Processing Time and Fee

The processing time for AAIP Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) is 6 months or 180 days. This time might be impacted if your application requires some additional information. The AOS application processing fee is $840 CAD.

List of Ineligible Occupations

If your work experience and job offer belong to any one of the 34 occupations listed below, you are not eligible to apply to the Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS). 

NOC Codes	Occupations
TEER 0
00010	Legislators
40021	School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education
40030	Managers in social, community and correctional services
40041	Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers
60040	Escort agency managers, massage parlor managers
TEER 1
41100	Judges
41220	Secondary school teachers
41221	Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
51111	Authors and writers (except technical)
51122	Musicians and singers
TEER 2
42200	Justices of the peace
42202	Early childhood educators who do not have certification through Alberta Children’s Services
TEER 3
43100	Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
43109	Other instructors
53121	Actors, comedians and circus performers
53122	Painters, sculptors and other visual artists
53124	Artisans and craftspersons
53200	Athletes
63101	Real estate agents and salespersons
33100	Dental laboratory assistants/bench workers
TEER 4
44100	Home child care providers
44101	Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations
64321	Casino occupations
TEER 5
55109	Other performers
65109	Other sales related occupations
65211	Operators and attendants in amusement, recreation and sport
65229	Other support occupations in personal services
65329	Other service support occupations
75200	Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs
85101	Harvesting laborers
85102	Aquaculture and marine harvest laborers
85104	Trappers and hunters
85110	Mine laborers
85121	Landscaping and grounds maintenance laborers

In the year 2023, IRCC allocated 4970 nominations for the Alberta Opportunity Stream. This is expected to increase in the year 2024. If you are working in Alberta and aim to settle in the province, contact Talent Connected Worldwide and get your case assessed.