Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) – Overview
The Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) is one of Alberta’s PNP streams that requires the candidate to hold a job offer from an employer in Alberta to be eligible.
When receiving a nomination under the AOS, candidates can then apply for Permanent Residence to the federal government of Canada.
This stream is not aligned with Express Entry, which means that candidates cannot take advantage of the 6-month average processing times of Express Entry. Processing times of Provincial Nominee Programs (not aligned with Express Entry) are usually longer and take at least 1 year.
The AOS does require a valid job offer as its main eligibility requirement, and candidates do not need to provide proof of funds. There are other requirements that must be fulfilled regarding the candidate, the employer, and the job offer.
Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) – Eligibility Requirements
There are 6 main categories of eligibility requirements that we will summarize below. You can apply to the Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) if you, your employer, and your job offer satisfy to all the requirements below. Again, there is no settlement funds required for this stream.
Language
You must demonstrate you have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) test score of 4 or 5 either in French or in English.
- If you are working in an NOC TEER Category 0, 1, 2 ou 3 occupation, the minimum requirement is CLB5 for each language skill.
- The language requirement for NOC TEER Category 4 or 5 occupations is CLB4 for each language skill.
If you apply under NOC code 33102 (Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates), the minimum required language test score is CLB7 (instead of CLB4) for each language skill.
Education
If you are not a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) holder, you only need to have completed a minimum of high school education in your country of origin. Beginning January 1, 2021, you will need to have completed a minimum of high school equivalent to Alberta standards. You must provide a copy of an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for your highest level of education, unless (i) you have a Canadian degree, diploma or certificate from a recognized Canadian post-secondary, technical college or secondary institution, or (ii) you have a valid Alberta Qualification Certificate or a trade certificate recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT).
If you have a PGWP, there are additional criteria:
- Your current occupation must be related to your field of study in Alberta.
- If you are admitted and enrolled in your Alberta credential program:
- on or after April 1, 2019, your credential must be Alberta Advanced Education approved publicly funded post-secondary institution (see below for list) and must be one of the following Alberta Advanced Education approved credentials:
- post-diploma certificate or post-baccalaureate certificate (minimum 1 year in length)
- diploma program (minimum 2 years in length)
- undergraduate bachelor’s degree
- graduate level degree
- graduate level certificate
- graduate level diploma
- before April 1, 2019, you can also qualify with an entry-level certificate (minimum one year in length).
- on or after April 1, 2019, your credential must be Alberta Advanced Education approved publicly funded post-secondary institution (see below for list) and must be one of the following Alberta Advanced Education approved credentials:
Alberta Advanced Education approved publicly funded post-secondary institution:
- Comprehensive academic and research universities (CARUs)
- Comprehensive community colleges (CCCs)
- Independent academic institutions (IAIs)
- Polytechnic institutions (PIs)
- Undergraduate universities (UUs)
- Banff Centre
Work experience
Your “current occupation” is the occupation you are working in at the time you apply to the AOS. Your current occupation must also match your work experience at the time you apply and the AAIP assesses your application.
At the time your application is received by the AAIP, you need:
- a minimum of 12 months full-time work experience in your current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months,
- a minimum of 24 months of full-time work experience in your current occupation in Canada and/or abroad within the last 30 months (this work experience can be a combination of experience gained in Alberta, in Canada (outside Alberta) and/or abroad), or
- a minimum of 6 months full-time work experience in your current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months, if you hold a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP).
To be considered valid, the work experience:
- must have been full-time, for a minimum of 30 hours a week,
- must be for the same occupation as your current occupation,
- must have been authorized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and with valid temporary resident status if completed in Alberta or Canada, and
- cannot have been gained while studying in Canada and doing co-op work placements or internships as part of a study program. The exception to this rule is for PGWP holders: work experience completed during paid co-op work terms that were part of a program of study at an Alberta post-secondary institution can be used as long as the work experience was full-time (minimum 30 hours per week), was directly related to your current occupation, and was all gained in Alberta.
- If you were admitted and enrolled in your Alberta credential program on or after April 1, 2019, and you completed an Advanced Education-approved one-year post-diploma or post-graduate certificate, your occupation must also be related to your previous undergraduate or graduate field of study outside Canada.
You must have the required licensing, registration or certification to work in your current occupation in Alberta. For example:
- If you are working in a compulsory trade in Alberta you must have a valid Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Trade (AIT) recognized trade certificate.
- If you are working as childcare worker, you must have valid certification as a Level 2 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Worker) or Level 3 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Supervisor).
Job offer
To apply for the AOS, you must have a valid job offer from an Alberta employer to work in your current occupation. You must be working full-time for the employer in Alberta.
To be eligible to the AOS, the job offer must be signed by you and your Alberta employer and must offer the following conditions :
- Continuous, paid work.
- Full-time work (minimum of 30 hours/week).
- Employment for at least 12 months.
- Work in your current occupation.
- Wages and benefits that meet provincial minimum wage and:
- meet or exceed the requirements set out in your Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), or
- if you are LMIA exempt, meet or exceed the lowest starting wage for your occupation across all industries in Alberta.
- There are exceptions for NOC 41302 (Religious leaders) and NOC 42204 (Religion workers):
- If your job offer is LMIA exempt, your wages and benefits must meet or exceed minimum wage.
- Meal and lodging deductions that meet Employment Standards are permitted. Proof of employee authorization of deductions is required.
- Work for an eligible AAIP occupation for which you have a work permit that meets AAIP work permit requirements.
The following job offer conditions and individuals are not eligible to the AOS:
- Part-time, casual or seasonal employment, regardless of working hours.
- Independent contractors, business owners or temporary agency workers, including individuals listed as Directors, Shareholders or Agents of the Alberta employer on the Corporate Registry System (CORES).
- Employees who work in Alberta in a place of employment that is not zoned for commercial or industrial operations, such as a home-based business.
- Employees who do not work on premises in Alberta, such as those who work in a “virtual” location or serve the employer by telecommuting from a location outside Alberta.
Ineligible Occupations
Most occupations under National Occupational Classification (NOC) (TEER Category 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) are eligible under the AOS. There are however a list of ineligible occupations. Below is the list of ineligible occupations that apply to all AOS candidates:
- NOC 00010 – Legislators
- NOC 40021 – School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education
- NOC 40030 – Managers in social, community and correctional services
- NOC 40041 – Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers
- NOC 60040* – Escort agency managers, massage parlour managers
- NOC 41100 – Judges
- NOC 41220 – Secondary school teachers
- NOC 41221 – Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
- NOC 51111 – Authors and writers (except technical)
- NOC 51122 – Musicians and singers
- NOC 42200* – Justices of the peace
- NOC 42202* – Early childhood educators who do not have certification through Alberta Children’s Services – Child Care Staff Certification Office or who have been certified as Level 1 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Assistant)
- NOC 43100 – Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
- NOC 43109 – Other instructors
- NOC 53121 – Actors, comedians and circus performers
- NOC 53122 – Painters, sculptors and other visual artists
- NOC 53124 – Artisans and craftspersons
- NOC 53200 – Athletes
- NOC 63101 – Real estate agents and salespersons
- NOC 33100* – Dental laboratory assistants/bench workers
- NOC 44100 – Home child care providers
- NOC 44101 – Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations
- NOC 64321 – Casino occupations
- NOC 55109 – Other performers
- NOC 65109 – Other sales related occupations
- NOC 65211 – Operators and attendants in amusement, recreation and sport
- NOC 65229 – Other support occupations in personal services
- NOC 65329 – Other service support occupations
- NOC 75200 – Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs
- NOC 85101 – Harvesting labourers
- NOC 85102 – Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers
- NOC 85104 – Trappers and hunters
- NOC 85110 – Mine labourers
- NOC 85121 – Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers
* These NOC codes consist of both eligible occupations and ineligible occupations. Only the occupations cited above next to the NOC code are considered ineligible.
Worker Expression of Interest (EOI) Points Grid
Candidates must submit a Worker Expression of Interest (EOI) if they are interested in receiving an invitation to the Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS). Based on your EOI, you are given a score out of 100 points, that depends on two factors. Receiving an invitation to apply will depend on your score and specific profiles Alberta is looking for.
| Factors | Sub-factors | Maximum Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Human Capital Factors
(69 points) |
(i) Education | 22 |
| (ii) Language | 13 | |
| (iii) Work Experience | 21 | |
| (iv) Age | 5 | |
| (v) Family Connection in Alberta | 8 | |
| 2. Economic Factors
(31 points) |
(i) Alberta Job Offer | 31 |
| Total | 100 |
1. Human Capital Factors
1.(i). Education
You can earn a maximum of 22 points with your highest educational credential.
| 1.(i). Education (Max 22 points) | Points |
|---|---|
| Highest Level of Education Completed (Max 12 points) | 12 |
| – Doctoral Degree | 12 |
| – Master’s Degree | 10 |
| – Bachelor’s Degree | 7 |
| – Trades Certificate/Diploma | 7 |
| – Diploma/Certificate | 4 |
| – Secondary (High) school or less | 0 |
| Location of Highest Level of Education Completed in Canada (Max 10 points) | 10 |
| – Completed in Alberta | 10 |
| – Completed in another Canadian province or territory | 6 |
1.(ii). Language
You can earn up to 13 points depending on your language proficiency in French or English. You need to pass an approved language test, and your scores can be translated to Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB).
Points are awarded according to the lowest CLB score obtained in each of the four competencies: listening, speaking, reading and writing. If proficient in both English and French, points will be awarded to the higher points between the two scores.
| 1.(ii). Language (Max 13 points) | Points | |
|---|---|---|
| Language Proficiency (Max 10 points) | English | French |
| – CLB6 or higher | 10 | 8 |
| – CLB5 | 8 | 5 |
| – CLB4 | 5 | 3 |
| – CLB3 or lower | 0 | 0 |
| Additional Points (Max 3 points) | ||
| – Language proficiency level of CLB4 in both French and English | 3 | |
1.(iii). Work Experience
You can earn up to 21 points if you have enough work experience in Canada and/or outside Canada.
| 1.(iii). Work Experience (Max 21 points) | Points |
|---|---|
| Total Work Experience (Max 11 points) | 11 |
| – 12 months of work experience or more | 11 |
| – 6 to 11 months of work experience | 7 |
| – Less than 6 months of work experience | 3 |
| Work Experience in Canada (Max 10 points) | 10 |
| – 6 months or more work experience in Alberta | 10 |
| – 6 months or more work experience in another Canadian province or territory | 6 |
1.(iv). Age
You can earn up to 5 points depending on your age.
| 1.(iv). Age (Max 5 points) | Points |
|---|---|
| 18-20 years old | 3 |
| 21-34 years old | 5 |
| 35-49 years old | 4 |
| 50 years and older | 3 |
1.(iv). Family Connection in Alberta
You can earn up to 8 points if you have Canadian or permanent resident family members residing in Alberta.
| 1.(v). Family Connection in Alberta (Max 8 points) | Points |
|---|---|
| You or your spouse/partner have a relative, permanent resident or Canadian citizen, residing in Alberta. The relative can be a (i) parent, (ii) grandparent, (iii) child of a parent (sibling), (iv) child of a grandparent (uncle or aunt), or (v) grandchild of a parent (nephew or niece). Points are not awarded for family connections for your in-laws. | 8 |
2. Economic Factors
2.(i). Alberta Job Offer
You can earn up to 31 points if you have a job offer from an employer in Alberta, based on the following criteria.
| 2.(i). Alberta Job Offer (Max 31 points) | Points |
|---|---|
| Job offer for permanent full-time employment in Alberta | 10 |
| Job offer to work in select Alberta rural communities or sector (Max 6 points) | 6 |
| – Endorsement letter from a designated community in the Rural Renewal Stream | 6 |
| – Job offer for the tourism and hospitality sector from an employer who is a member of a required sector association under the Tourism and Hospitality Stream | 6 |
| – Job offer in a law enforcement occupation from an employer who is a member of the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP) | 6 |
| Alberta job offer location (Max 5 points) | 5 |
| – Calgary Census Metropolitan area | 0 |
| – Edmonton Census Metropolitan area | 0 |
| – Rural Renewal Stream designated community | 5 |
| – Other Alberta community | 5 |
| Job offer in a regulated occupation in Alberta and candidate meets regulatory requirements to practice the occupation in Alberta | 10 |
Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) – Application Process
For a better understanding of the process, below is a list of the steps involved in obtaining Permanent Residence through the Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS). Candidates must:
- Qualify for the minimum AOS stream eligibility requirements and register a profile in the AAIP portal.
- Obtain an invitation to apply directly in the AAIP portal.
- Apply to the AOS stream by submitting their application through their AAIP portal (filling in forms and uploading required documents).
- Apply for permanent residence to the federal government (IRCC) within 6 months of receiving the nomination (after AAIP processes their application). Candidates need to apply online to IRCC, and include the nomination documentation received from the AAIP.
Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) – Application Fees
Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) – Processing Times
As of January 13, 2026
Alberta Opportunity Stream
- Number of applications in the queue : 741
- The AAIP is assessing applications received before : October 3, 2025
- Number of allocations issued in 2026 to date: 70
- Number of total nominations for 2026 (total allocation): 3,425
Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) – Latest News & Data
Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) – In-Demand Occupations?
You can find out about the other provinces’ in-demand jobs in our in-demand NOC codes article.
