express entry Opportunity Program

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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.