Eligibility Requirements for the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

Eligibility Requirements for the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

Under the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), candidates may qualify under one of the following categories:

 

Strategic Recruitment Stream

Compulsory and Optional Trades Category

This category is open to supervisors, foremen and tradespersons who are working in a compulsory or optional trade in the province of Alberta.

Occupations classified as compulsory or optional trades are listed here.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants may be eligible if they meet the following requirements:

  • Intend to live and work in Alberta permanently;
  • Have one of the following:
    • An Alberta Qualification Certificate in a compulsory or optional trade, or
    • An Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) Recognized Trade Certificate in a compulsory or optional trade.
  • Be residing in Alberta at the time of application on a valid work permit
  • Show, at time of application, that they are either:
    • Currently working in their trade for an Alberta employer, or
    • Have been working in their trade for an Alberta employer for minimum 6 months in past 3 years.

 

Engineering Occupations Category

This category is open to engineers, designers, and drafters in a variety of fields. In order to apply, an individual’s occupation must among the following:

  • NOC 0211 (Engineering Managers)
  • NOC 2131 (Civil Engineers)
  • NOC 2132 (Mechanical Engineers)
  • NOC 2133 (Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
  • NOC 2134 (Chemical Engineers)
  • NOC 2141 (Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers)
  • NOC 2143 (Mining Engineers)
  • NOC 2144 (Geological Engineers)
  • NOC 2145 (Petroleum Engineers)
  • NOC 2231 (Civil Engineering Technologists/Technicians)
  • NOC 2232 (Mechanical Engineering Technologists/Technicians)
  • NOC 2241 (Electrical/Electronics Engineering Technologists/Technicians)
  • NOC 2253 (Drafting Technologists/Technicians)
Minimum Requirements

Applicants may be eligible if they meet the following requirements:

  • Intend to live and work in Alberta permanently;
  • Be currently residing in Alberta;
  • Have evidence of education/training and experience as an engineer, designer or drafter; and
  • Currently be working or have worked in last two years in Alberta for an Alberta employer.

Applicants with credentials who are working in one of the following occupations must provide a ‘Letter of No Objection’ from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA), or show that they are registered with APEGA.

  • NOCs: 0211, 2131, 2132, 2133, 2134, 2141, 2143, 2144, and 2145

Professionals working in the following occupations do not need a ‘Letter of No Objection’:

  • NOCs 2231, 2232, 2241, and 2253

Engineers whose occupation is not on the list may be eligible to submit an application through the AINP Skilled Worker Category.
 

Post-Graduate Worker Category

Students who graduated from an eligible post-secondary educational institution in Alberta, and who are residing in the province on a Post-Graduation Work Permit, may apply to this program.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants may be eligible if they meet the following requirements:

  • Intend to live and work in Alberta permanently;
  • Be working full-time in Alberta for an Alberta employer at the time of application;
  • Have obtained a certificate, diploma, degree or graduate level program from an approved institution. The completed program of study in Alberta must be at least one year long; and
  • Hold a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit.

 
In addition, the applicant must be working in an NOC level 0, A, B, or C occupation. Certain occupations are ineligible. If the applicant is working in a NOC C (semi-skilled) level occupation, he or she must submit test results showing that minimum language requirements are met.
 

Employer-Driven Stream

Skilled Worker Category

Minimum Requirements for Employers

In order to be eligible under the Alberta Skilled Worker Category, employers must:

  • Be incorporated or registered in Canada and operating in Alberta;
  • Offer a job that is in an occupation classified as skill level NOC 0, A, or B;
  • Provide a job offer to the candidate that meets Alberta's employment and wage standards;
  • Provide a job offer to the candidate that does not conflict with existing collective bargaining agreements. The AINP will not approve an application if there is a labour dispute in progress that may involve, directly or indirectly, either the employer or the candidate;
  • Receive a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for the job they are offering to the applicant. Some occupations or candidates may be exempt from the LMIA requirement;
  • If the worker is not currently working in Alberta, must demonstrate that efforts have been made to recruit in Canada before offering job to the applicant;
  • Meet additional requirements if the applicant is an Early Childhood Educator or Childcare Staff
Minimum Requirements for Applicants

In addition, applicants must:

  • Intend to live and work in Alberta permanently;
  • Have related training, work experience, and any necessary licensing to perform the job in Alberta;
  • Show valid work permit if already working in Alberta;
  • Show proof of legal status if living abroad;
  • Meet additional requirements if they are Early Childhood Educators or Childcare Staff
Additional Criteria for Early Childhood Educators and Childcare Staff

In addition to the minimum requirements listed above, employers of early childhood educators and childcare staff must:

  • Be accredited with the Alberta Association for the Accreditation of Early Learning and Care Service;
  • Be approved for funding under the Alberta Child Care Accreditation Funding Program

Early childhood educator and childcare staff applicants must also:

  • Have a valid work permit under the NOC code 4214;
  • Be currently residing in Alberta;
  • Have completed a minimum of high school education
  • Be a certified Child Development Worker (Level 2) or Child Development Supervisor (Level 3) through the Alberta Human Services Child Care Staff Certification Office;
  • Be employed by a pre/accredited daycare program or family day home agency for a minimum of six months.

 

International Graduate Category

This category was created for individuals who graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution and have received a full-time, permanent job offer from an Alberta employer. Both the employer and the targeted employee must be deemed eligible in order to submit an application.

Minimum Requirements for Employers

To be eligible under the Alberta International Graduate category, employers must:

  • Be incorporated or registered in Canada and operating in Alberta;
  • Offer a job to the applicant that meets provincial employment standards;
    • In addition, the job offer must not conflict with collective bargaining (union) agreements
  • Offer a job that is in an occupation classified as NOC 0, A, B or C level. Ineligible occupations can be viewed here.
  • Demonstrate that wages being offered are consistent with industry standards
Minimum Requirements for Applicants

Additionally, applicants must:

  • Intend to live and work in Alberta permanently;
  • Be working in Alberta full-time for the employer supporting their application;
    • The current occupation must be the same as the occupation listed on the AINP application. It must fall into an NOC 0, A, B, or C level.
  • Have completed a certificate, diploma, degree or graduate level program from an eligible institution in Alberta or Canada;
    • The completed program of study must have been at least one year long.
  • Hold a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit.
  • If working in an NOC C level occupation, must submit language test score results.

 

Semi-Skilled Worker Category

Minimum Requirements for Employers

In order to be eligible under the Alberta Semi-Skilled Worker category, employers must:

  • Be incorporated or registered in Canada and operating in Alberta;
  • Operate in one of the five industries currently eligible under this category:
    • Food and Beverage Processing,
    • Hotel and Lodging,
    • Manufacturing,
    • Long-Haul Trucking,
    • Food Services.
  • Provide a permanent, full-time job offer in an eligible occupation (see below);
  • Job offer must meet Alberta employment and wage standards
  • Job offer must not conflict with collective bargaining (union) agreements
  • Receive a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for the position being offered to the applicant;
  • For the occupation of Front Desk Agent/Clerk (NOC 6525), if the applicant is working for the employer on a Post-Graduation Work Permit, no LMIA is required;
  • Provide a settlement and retention plan for the individual applicant.
Minimum Requirements for Applicants

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • Be currently working in Alberta on a valid work permit in an eligible occupation (see below);
  • Demonstrate that they have at least a high school level education;
  • Submit language test results;
  • Meet additional criteria for the specific industry (see below).

 

Industry-Specific Criteria

Food and Beverage Processing

In addition to the requirements listed above, employers must:

  • Operate an agricultural-based industrial food processing plant. Retail establishments are not eligible;
  • Must demonstrate satisfactory recruitment, employment policies, and retention/settlement plans.

Additionally, applicants must:

  • Complete an interview with a staff member of the Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (AARD);
  • Have a total of three years full-time industry work experience in home country;
  • Be employed in Alberta for a minimum of six months before applying to the AINP.
Eligible occupations:
  • Food and Beverage Production Worker (NOC 9617)
  • Bakery Production Worker (NOC 9617)
  • Food and Beverage Processing Equipment Cleaner (NOC 9617)
  • Industrial Butchers and Meat Cutters (NOC 9462)
  • Poultry Production Workers (NOC 9462)
Hotel and Lodging

Employers must also:

  • Be a member in good standing with the Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA);
  • Be aware of the maximum number of allocations per calendar year for Food and Beverage Servers and Room Attendants, which is based on the total number of rooms at a property. Allocations are as follows:
    • 1 - 50 rooms: 2 allocations per year
    • 51 - 100 rooms: 4 per year
    • 101 - 150 rooms: 6 per year
    • 151 - 200 rooms: 8 per year
    • 201- 250 rooms: 10 per year
    • 251 - 350 rooms: 12 per year
    • 351 - 400 rooms: 14 per year
    • 401 - 450 rooms: 16 per year
    • 451+ rooms: 18 per year
  • Be aware of the maximum of one allocation per property, per calendar year for the occupation of Front Desk Agent/Clerk.
  • Demonstrate satisfactory recruitment strategies, employment policies, and retention/settlement plans to qualify for allocations.

In addition, applicants must:

  • Have a total of three years of work experience in the hotel and lodging industry;
  • Be employed in Alberta for a minimum of six months before applying to the AINP.
Eligible occupations:
  • Food and Beverage Servers (NOC 6513)
  • Room Attendants (NOC 6731)
  • Front Desk Agent/Clerk (NOC 6525)
Manufacturing

Employers must:

  • Demonstrate satisfactory recruitment, employment policies and retention/settlement plans.
  • Applicants must:
  • Have a minimum of two years industry work experience;
  • At least one of two years must have been completed in Canada
  • Be employed in Alberta for a minimum of six months before applying to the AINP.
Job title NOC Training/certification required
Shippers and Receivers 1521 Completion of a forklift certificate
Production Logistics Co-ordinators 1523 None
Purchasing and Inventory Control Workers 1524 Purchasing clerks require courses in purchasing management and inventory clerks require courses in production and inventory management
Heavy Equipment Operator (Except Crane) 7521 College or industry courses in heavy equipment operation or completion of a one to two year apprenticeship program
Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Related Workers and Services Operators 8412 Certification in first aid

Certification in hydrogen sulphide awareness

Certification in blowout prevention

Certification in Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

Certification in Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG)

Awareness in cryogenic safety

Machine Operators, Mineral and Metal Processing 9411 None
Foundry Workers 9412 None
Concrete, Clay and Stone Forming Operators 9414 Mould makers that construct and repair wooden forms require carpentry or woodworking experience
Inspectors and Testers, Mineral and Metal Processing 9415 None
Metalworking and Forging Machine Operators 9416 None
Machining Tool Operators 9417 Completion of college level courses in machining
Chemical Plant Machine Operators 9421 Certification in first aid

Certification in Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG)

Fire fighting or Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

Plastics Processing Machine Operators 9422 Completion of Statistical Process Control (SPC) course

Moulding process operators require completion of hydraulics, pneumatics and electronic systems courses

Rubber Processing Machine Operators and Related Workers 9423 None
Sawmill Machine Operators 9431 College courses in wood processing technology

Certification in industrial first aid

Head sawyers and planer operators usually require several years of experience in other sawmill machine operating positions

Pulp Mill Machine Operators 9432 College diploma in forest products processing or a related subject

Certification in industrial first aid

Papermaking and Finishing Machine Operators 9433 None
Other Wood Processing Machine Operators 9434 Combination of college and company courses
Paper Converting Machine Operators 9435 None
Lumber Graders and Other Wood Processing Inspectors and Graders 9436 Graders and inspectors require experience as a sawmill machine operator, or other wood processing operator or as a labourer in wood processing

ƒLumber graders require a lumber grader’s license issued by a provincial lumber association

Woodworking Machine Operators 9437 None
Process Control and Machine Operators, Food, Beverage and Associated Products Processing 9461 None
Aircraft Assemblers and Aircraft Assembly Inspectors 9521 Completion of college program in aviation or aeronautical technology with emphasis on aircraft manufacturing
Electronics Assemblers, Fabricators, Inspectors and Testers 9523 Electronic testers require post-secondary courses in basic electronic theory, testing techniques and testing equipment

Electronics inspectors and testers require experience as an electronics assembler or component fabricator

Assemblers and Inspectors, Electrical Appliance, Apparatus and Equipment Manufacturing 9524 Completion of college program in electronics
Assemblers, Fabricators and Inspectors, Industrial Electrical Motors and Transformers 9525 Completion of college courses in electricity or electrotechnology ƒ

Inspectors and lead-hands require experience as an assembler, fitter or wirer

Mechanical Assemblers and Inspectors 9526 Inspectors require experience as a mechanical assembler
Machine Operators and Inspectors, Electrical Apparatus Manufacturing 9527 Inspectors require experience as an assembler
Manufactured Housing Production Worker 9533 None
Prefabricated Housing Assembler 9533 None
Furniture Finishers and Refinishers 9534 Completion of college, industry or high school level courses in furniture finishing or refinishing
Plastic Products Assemblers, Finishers and Inspectors 9535 Inspectors require experience as an assembler or finisher
Industrial Painters, Coaters and Metal Finishing Process Operators 9536 Industrial painters such as aviation painters require specialized training or college courses
Long-Haul Trucking

In addition to the requirements listed above, employers must:

  • Demonstrate satisfactory recruitment strategies, employment policies, and retention/settlement plans to qualify for allocations.
    • Companies will not receive an allocation larger than the number of foreign drivers for which the company has received an LMIA.
  • Provide details of recruitment activity and supporting documentation demonstrating that the foreign trained driver is aware of the scope of their employment - this includes:
    • duration of long-haul trips taken
    • mileage
    • normal amount of days away from home
    • anticipated annual salary.
  • Show that the applicant has received training in Alberta
  • Show that the applicant has prior driving training and related professional experience.

Applicants must:

  • Be currently working for the supporting employer as a long-haul truck driver;
  • Have a valid Alberta Class 1 driver's license;
  • Provide a copy of his/her foreign driver's license which indicates C+E certification (if from Europe);
    •  If not in English, the driver's license must be translated by certified translator.
  • Be employed in Alberta for a minimum of six months before applying to the AINP;
  • Have sufficient proof of previous professional driving experience and driving related training.
Eligible occupation:
  • Long-Haul Truck Driver (NOC 7511)
Food Services (Pilot Project)

To be eligible, employers must also:

  • Demonstrate that the candidate has access to accommodations for 33 percent or less of his/her gross salary;
  • Be aware of the maximum of one allocation per restaurant location for one of the three eligible occupations (see below);
  • Sign an Employer Compliance Declaration Form and include it in the application;

In addition, applicants must:

  • Have three years of work experience in the food services industry;
  • Be employed in Alberta for a minimum of nine months before applying to the AINP.
Eligible occupations:
  • Food and Beverage Servers (NOC 6513)
  • Food Counter Attendants (NOC 6711)
  • Kitchen Helpers (NOC 6711)

 

Self-Employed Farmer Stream

Minimum Requirements

Self-employed farmers must meet the following minimum requirements in order to be eligible to apply to this stream:

  • Prove that they have farm management skills with:
    • Financial documentation of existing farm business;
    • Proof of education, training, and/or work experience;
    • A proposed business plan for Alberta farm; and
    • Proof that a Canadian financial institution will finance farming venture in Alberta.
  • Prove that they have sufficient financial resources for this venture:
    • Show ability to invest a minimum of $500,000 of equity in primary production farming business in Alberta;
    • Show a minimum net worth of $500,000 or confirmation of access to similar funds; and
    • $500,000 is a minimum amount. A larger amount may be required to demonstrate investment ability.
  • Prove that they will invest in a primary production farming business in Alberta:
    • Document investment intentions with proposed business plan; and
    • Be aware that applications that show greatest opportunity for growth of Alberta’s agri-food targets will be given priority.