Updated on February 2, 2026 by canadian immigration experts
The New Opportunity Stream opens on January 2, 2018 under the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP). This program is created to help foreign workers in Alberta to get a Permanent Resident Status. All applications will be processed 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.
The stream will replace two streams:
- Employer-Driven stream
- Strategic Recruitment stream.
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, even though new applications will not be accepted.
Applicants to the Opportunity stream require 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.
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 must also prove English or French ability with the score 4.
Applicants must also have completed high school or a higher level of education. Applicants who did not get a study permit in Canada need to obtain an Educational Credential Assessment.
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).
Finally, applicants must satisfy a minimum income threshold, depending on the size of their family.
| Number of members in family unit (including applicant) | Gross annual income required (CAD) |
| 1 | $24,952 |
| 2 | $35,287 |
| 3 | $43,218 |
| 4 | $49,904 |
| 5 | $55,794 |
| 6 | $61,120 |
| 7 | $66,017 |
| 8 | $70,575 |
| 9 | $74,856 |
| 10 | $78,905 |
Ineligible occupations
Individuals working in any of the following occupations will not be eligible to apply under the AINP Opportunity stream.
| Occupation | NOC |
| Legislators | 0011 |
| School Principals and Administrators of Elementary and Secondary Education | 0422 |
| Managers in Social, Community and Correctional Services | 0423 |
| Fire Chiefs and Senior Firefighting Officers | 0432 |
| Escort Agency Managers, Massage Parlour Managers | 0651 |
| Secondary School Teachers | 4031 |
| Elementary School and Kindergarten Teachers | 4032 |
| Professional Occupations in Religion | 4154 |
| Authors and Writers | 5121 |
| Musicians and Singers | 5133 |
| Actors and Comedians | 5135 |
| Painters, Sculptors and Other Visual Artists | 5136 |
| Court Officers and Justices of the Peace | 1227 |
| Dental Laboratory Bench Workers | 3223 |
| Early Childhood Educators and Assistants* | 4214 |
| Other Instructors | 4216 |
| Other Religious Occupations | 4217 |
| Other Performers, n.e.c. | 5232 |
| Artisans and Craftspersons | 5244 |
| Athletes | 5251 |
| Real Estate Agents and Salespersons | 6232 |
| Home Child Care Providers | 4411 |
| Home Support Workers, Housekeepers and Related Occupations | 4412 |
| Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Assistants | 4413 |
| Casino Occupations | 6533 |
| Other Personal Service Occupations | 6564 |
| Taxi and Limousine Drivers and Chauffeurs | 7513 |
| Trappers and Hunters | 8442 |
| Other Sales Related Occupations | 6623 |
| Operators and Attendants in Amusement, Recreation and Sport | 6722 |
| Other Service Support Occupations, n.e.c. | 6742 |
| Harvesting Labourers | 8611 |
| Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Labourers | 8612 |
| Aquaculture and Marine Harvest Labourers | 8613 |
| Mine Labourers | 8614 |
Jane Katkova & Associates – Canadian Immigration, Global Mobility Experts is an immigration consultancy firm in Toronto that has been helping dozens of new immigrants to arrive to Canada every week. If you need help with processing your documents or need a consultation, please contact us.
