Alberta Employer criteria
As an Alberta Employer, you must:
- Be incorporated or registered by or under an act of the legislature of a province or the Parliament of Canada and operating as a business that has an established production capability, plant or place of business in Alberta.
- Provide a job offer to the Candidate for permanent, full-time employment in a skilled occupation. A skilled occupation is an occupation that falls under one of the following skill levels under the National Occupational Classification (NOC)system:
- NOC 0: Includes management occupations that usually require a university degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate) or a professional designation.
- NOC A: Includes occupations that usually require university education.
- NOC B: Includes occupations that usually require college education.
- 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.
- Provide proof of your authorization to hire a foreign worker by showing either the Labour Market Opinion (LMO), or evidence of the LMO exemption.
- If there is an LMO in place for the Candidate, you must show that you are following all the conditions of the LMO (including salary).
- If the Candidate is exempt from an LMO, you must show you are offering wages and benefits to the Candidate that meet industry standards. Visit the ALIS website for wage and benefit standards in Alberta by occupation.
- Clearly show the need for the position and that you have made a significant effort to hire a Canadian or permanent resident of Canada for the position only if the Candidate is not currently working in Alberta (is abroad).
- The Employer-Driven Stream is not intended to be used as a substitute for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
- Meet additional criteria if the Candidate’s occupation is in one of the following:
Candidate criteria
As a Candidate, you must:
- Clearly show in the application that you are able to and intend to live permanently in Alberta.
- Have related education, training, previous work experience, and any Alberta licensing needed for the position and to meet AINP criteria.
- Provide a copy of your valid work permit if you are already working in Alberta.
- Provide proof of your legal status in your country of residence only if you are not currently working in Alberta (you are living abroad).
- Meet additional criteria if your occupation is one of the following:
Supervisors, foremen, and tradespeople working in occupations designated as a Compulsory or Optional Trade in Alberta (including Chefs, Cooks, and Line Cooks) are no longer eligible to apply under the Employer-Driven Stream and must apply under the Strategic Recruitment Stream, Compulsory and Optional Trades Category.
Meeting the criteria listed above does not guarantee a nomination or permanent residence.
Additional criteria – Plasterers, Drywallers, and Upholsterers
If you are working as a Plasterer, Drywaller, or Upholsterer, the AINP will require that a minimum of 48 months of relevant work experience and training in that occupation be proven.
The AINP reserves the right to require minimum work experience requirements from Candidates working in occupations beginning with 72 or 73 under the National Occupational Classification where the Candidate is not a supervisor, foreman, or tradesperson working in an occupation designated as a Compulsory or Optional Trade in Alberta.
Additional criteria – Early Childhood Educators and Child Care Staff
As an Alberta Employer of an Early Childhood Educator, you must also:
- Be accredited, or have applied for accreditation, with the Alberta Association for the Accreditation of Early Learning and Care Services and be approved for funding under the Alberta Child Care Accreditation Funding Program
As an Early Childhood Educator Candidate, you must also:
- Hold a work permit under the NOC code 4214 and be residing in Alberta
- Have completed a minimum of high school education
- Be certified as a Child Development Worker (Level 2) or Child Development Supervisor (Level 3) through Alberta Children and Youth Services – Child Care Staff Certification Office.
- Be employed in Alberta for a minimum of six (6) months with a pre/accredited daycare program or family day home agency before applying to the AINP
Preference will be given to Candidates who have completed a first aid course.