Changes to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) are now in effect

Last year, Alberta announced the planned changes in the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) - the Alberta Opportunity Stream.  As of June 14, 2018, changes to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) are now in effect

With the new changes, AINP will:

• simplify the application process by creating a new stream for applicants called the Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS); 
• open up the program to virtually all skills and professions in Alberta with more flexibility for trade skills; and 
• ensure that workers with professional, personal, and community ties to Alberta are first in line to become permanent residents with a pathway to citizenship.

The Alberta Opportunity Stream will simplify processes, reduce wait times, and provide fair access for applicants across all sectors and industries in Alberta. It will also provide greater opportunities for candidates with ties to the province, and expand the number of sectors, occupations and skill levels that will be accepted into the program. The program has expanded to accept most occupations and all skill levels. Previously it only accepted skilled and some semi-skilled workers.

International Students
International Graduates can apply to the program through the Alberta Opportunity Stream if they graduated from an approved Alberta post-secondary institution and are working on a post-graduation work permit. Applicants will need to:

• Show that they have at least six months of work experience in Alberta in an occupation related to their field of study (this is less than the requirement for other applicants). 
• Meet the same minimum language and income requirements as other applicants. 

International graduates who have completed education programs in other Canadian provinces will not be eligible for the program based on their post-graduation work permit. They could be eligible for the program if they have another type of work permit.

International graduates must have education and skills that are well matched with skills shortages in Alberta in order to be eligible for the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program.

IMPORTANT: If you are planning to immigrate to Canada via Study Visa Pathway and you are looking at Alberta as your destination, be very sure that you will be studying in one of the schools and programs listed here: List of Alberta Advanced Education Approved Post-Secondary Credentials For Post-Graduation Work Permit Holders. You must also take note of Alberta's List of Ineligible Occupations. 

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