Unlocking Opportunities in Alberta: A Guide for Foreign Skilled Workers and Skilled Refugees
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) presents various pathways for foreigners to enter Canada, including the Rural Renewal Stream program. This stream enables foreign workers, either residing in or planning to move to Alberta, to obtain permanent residency. This program targets rural areas outside Calgary and Edmonton, aiming to fill local labor shortages and promote community growth. Eligible communities include designated cities, towns, and municipal districts across Alberta, such as the City of Brooks, City of Grande Prairie, and Town of Whitecourt, among others. These communities have been chosen based on their potential to benefit from and support the integration of newcomers.
Applicants should note that they can apply to only one AAIP program at a time, ensuring they match the most suitable pathway based on their skills and the needs of Alberta's rural communities. The Rural Renewal Stream emphasizes collaboration between these communities and employers to attract and retain talent, highlighting Alberta's commitment to revitalizing its rural areas through immigration.
For foreign skilled worker:
Determine if the Rural Renewal Stream is your pathway to permanent residency in Alberta by assessing your eligibility across several criteria. This program is designed for individuals with experience in eligible occupations seeking to contribute to Alberta's rural communities
Application Process
Preparation: To be immigration ready ensure you meet the language, work experience, and financial requirements. Obtain necessary documents like a language test result, an ECA, and a valid passport.
Employment: Apply and secure a job offer in a rural area eligible under this program. You must have a valid job offer and contract. if applicable, a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) may be required.
Community Endorsement: Obtain a letter of endorsement from the local town or municipal authority. Upon hire your employer should be able to provide this from you
Program Application: Submit your application to the Rural Renewal program. The application fee is $500 and is non-refundable. Successful applicants will receive a Provincial Nomination package, enabling them to apply for permanent residency with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Check here on what to do after nomination.
Eligibility Requirements
Work Experience: A minimum of 12 months full-time work experience in an eligible occupation within the last 18 months prior to your application. . Experience can be from Alberta, elsewhere in Canada, or abroad Most occupations under NOC TEER categories 0, 1, 2, 3 4 and 5 are eligible under the AAIP.
Qualifying work experience:
have been paid full-time employment, for a minimum of 30 hours a week
comes with reference letters must be provided for your qualifying work experience
meet the following requirements of eligible occupation:
TEER Category of job offer or current occupation is / TEER Category of work experience must be:
TEER 0/TEER 0 or 1
TEER 1/TEER 0, 1 or 2
TEER 2/TEER 1, 2, 3 or 4
TEER 3/TEER 1, 2, 3 or 4
TEER 4/TEER 2, 3, 4 or 5
TEER 5/TEER 5 and must be in the same occupation – NOC code
Language Proficiency: Here is the list of language requirements depending on the job offer.
National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER category / Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) test score required / Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) test score required
If your job offer is for NOC 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation / Minimum of 5 for each English language skill / Minimum of 5 for each French language skill
If your job offer is for NOC 4 or 5 occupation / Minimum of 4 for each English language skill / Minimum of 4 for each French language skill
Licensing: Specific occupations may require appropriate licensing or certification. For example, trades and childcare providers need licensing.
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): Typically, is needed if you do not have a Canadian degree, diploma or certificate.
Ineligible Occupations
Individuals with job offers for the following occupations at the time of application submission and assessment are not eligible to apply for or be nominated under the Rural Renewal Stream. Here is the list of ineligible occupations:
NOC Code (2021) / NOC TEER category / Occupation
00010,0, Legislators
60040*, 0,Escort agency managers, massage parlour managers
41100, 1, Judges
51111, 1, Authors and writers (except technical)
51122, 1, Musicians and singers
42200*, 2, Justices of the peace
53121, 3, Actors, comedians and circus performers
53122, 3, Painters, sculptors and other visual artists
53124, 3, Artisans and craftspersons
53200, 3, Athletes
33100*, 3, Dental laboratory bench workers
44100, 4, Home childcare providers
44101, 4, Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations
64321, 4, Casino Occupations
55109, 5, Other performers
65229, 5, Other support occupations in personal services
85101, 5, Harvesting Labourers
Financial Requirements
Settlement fund requirements minimum is needed if you are not residing in Canada, or you are currently in Canada but are not working. Proof of financial resources are required only for temporary workers. Here is the amount needed based on the community's population size and your family members:
Population size of the community and funds required
Number of family members / Less than 1,000 / 1,000 to 30,000 / 30,000 to 99,999
1, $8,922, $10,151, $11,093
2, $11,107, $12,636, $13,810
3, $13,655, $15,534, $16,977
4, $16,579, $18,861, $20,613
5, $18,803, $21,392, $23,379
6, $21,208, $24,127, $26,367
7,$23,611, $26,861, $29,356
Amount of funds required for each additional family member: $2,404, $2,735, $2,989
For Foreign Refuges that are from the EMPP program:
Refugees from the EMPP program are eligible for the Rural Renewal Stream under similar but distinc conditions compared to foreign workers
Application Process: Beyond these specific differences below, EMPP refugee applicants should adhere to the application requirements of foreign workers of the Rural Renewal Stream.
Key Differences for EMPP Refugees :
Referral Partner Collaboration:Applicants must work with one Alberta’s Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) referral partner and obtain Referral Partner letter. These organizations verify refugee status and may assist in finding you an employer.
List of EMPP Referral Partners:
FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)
International Rescue Committee
JumpStart Refugee Talent
RefugePoint
Talent Beyond Boundaries
Talentlift
Work Experience Requirement: If you are an EMPP refugee applicants: at the time your application is submitted you must have a minimum of 12 months full-time work experience in an eligible occupation within the last 10 years prior to your application.
Settlement Funds: Refuges are not required to provide settlement funds
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): If you are an EMPP refugee you do not need to provide an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). If you have an ECA, submit it.
Ineligibility Note: Ineligible applicants are refugees claimants already in Canada.
Job Search Guide for Foreign Workers in Alberta's Rural Communities
Prepare for Immigration:
Ensure you're ready for the job search in Canada by completing key immigration requirements: passing a language test, showing proof of settlement funds, having a valid passport, and getting your educational credentials assessed etc.
Explore listed AAIP Rural Renewal Stream Communities:
Visit the Alberta's official community AAIP page, to find towns designated to attract and recruit foreign workers. These communities collaborate with employers and their local economic organization to recruit internationally. For example, the city of Grand Prairie is advertising on their official website that they are seeking and actively looking for foreign workers
Contact Employers Directly:
Some community websites may offer lists of qualified employers to hire foreign workers. Directly reaching out to these employers can be an effective job search strategy. For instance, Grande Prairie provides a list of such employers here.
Quick Tips:
Research each community and employer to tailor your application.
Prepare for interviews by understanding Canadian workplace culture.
For a deeper dive into eligibility, application steps, and more details on the Rural Renewal Stream, please refer to the official Alberta Rural Renewal Stream eligibility page.