Eligibility Criteria for Alberta PNP Program-Opportunity Stream

The Canadian province of Alberta is a coveted destination for immigrants, owing to its high average incomes, low cost of living, subsidized education and supportive healthcare facilities. Besides, it enjoys more sunlight every year than any other part of the country – making it Canada’s sunniest province. The Alberta PNP program is a promising gateway for immigration to this idyllic province.

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) nominates eligible foreign nationals for permanent residence (PR), provided they can fill labor shortages in the local job market and financially support themselves and accompanying family members (if any) in Alberta.

This program is run by the provincial government in collaboration with the federal authority – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Being nominated does not guarantee PR. Provincial nominees must apply for PR to IRCC – either through a paper based process or the online Canada Express Entry process.

The AINP has several streams or sub-categories dedicated towards specific applicant profiles. The Alberta Opportunity Stream is specifically designed to nominate temporary residents already living and working in Alberta. Only those who fulfill specific eligibility criteria of the relevant stream can apply for nomination to the AINP.

Provincial nominees applying through the online Express Entry System can claim as many as 600 points under Comprehensive Ranking System, which drastically improves the probability of being invited to apply for PR through an Express Entry Draw.

In order to qualify for the Alberta Opportunity Stream, an aspirant must meet the following basic requirements at the time of application postmarking and assessment:

• Be authorized to work in Canada in an eligible occupation through a valid work permit that grants temporary resident status. The applicant should be working in an occupation that is in-demand in Alberta, and matches previous work experience.

• Have a score of CLB/NCLC 4 or higher in each test component of an approved English or French language proficiency examination. Test results should be less than two years old. Certain occupations may be subject to a higher score requirement.

• Have completed at least high school education in the country of origin.

• Have at least 12 months of full-time work experience obtained in Alberta in the current occupation within the preceding 18 months; or at least 24 months of work experience which may be a combination of experience gained in Alberta, a Canadian province or territory outside Alberta, or a country other than Canada – within the preceding 30 months.

• Have required certificate, license, or registration to practice the current occupation in Alberta.

• Have a valid continuous full-time paid job offer or contract of employment of 12 or more months from an eligible employer in Alberta, inviting the applicant to practice their current occupation in the province.

Note: Post-Graduation Work Permit holders must fulfill additional requirements related to education, work experience and occupation.

Those who can fulfil the Alberta PNP Program requirements for the Alberta Opportunity Stream can mail a nomination application and supporting documents to the provincial government authority. If the application is approved, the nominee receives a nomination package via mail.

Subsequently, the nominee can submit a PR application to IRCC, which takes the final decision on the application.