Rural Renewal Stream

Check Your Eligibility:

Community Residency Requirement:
When you submit your application and when the AAIP reviews it, you must plan to live and work in the specific community in Alberta that you are assigned to

Community Endorsement Requirement:
When you submit your application and when the AAIP reviews it, you must have a valid “Endorsement of Candidate” letter from the Economic Development Organization (EDO) of the rural community in Alberta you are assigned to. This letter must be based on the EDO’s specific criteria. You also need to meet the eligibility requirements for the AAIP Rural Renewal Stream.

Endorsement of Candidate Letter:
All candidates must have an Endorsement of Candidate letter from their designated community, issued by the local Economic Development Organization (EDO). The letter should include:

• – EDO’s name and address
• – Your name and address
• – Job offer details: business name, employer info, job location, position, duties, employment duration, and how the job supports community growth
• – Employer’s efforts to fill the position in Canada
• – Contact info of the person issuing the letter
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Referral Partner Letter (for EMPP refugee applicants only):
This letter must be issued by an EMPP referral partner such as FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance, HIAS, International Rescue Committee, JumpStart, RefgePoint, Talent Beyound Boundaries and Talentlift. It should include:

• – Partner representative’s name, title, contact details, and signature
• – Applicant’s full name and date of birth
• – Job details for the applicant
• – Confirmation that the referral partner has assessed the applicant’s refugee status and provides proof, such as a positive Refugee Status Determination (RSD), UNHCR registration, or a refugee certificate from UNRWA
• – If applicable, proof of Temporary Protection Status (TPS) and a Durable Solution Information (IMM 0195) form

– If you lack the required documents, apply with the support of an EMPP partner who can issue a federal referral letter (IMM 0183). The letter must be valid when you apply.

Job Offer Requirements:

When you submit your application and when the AAIP reviews it, you must have a job offer or employment contract from an Alberta employer for a position in an eligible occupation in your designated community.

The job offer and employer must meet all the requirements listed in the Alberta Job Offer and Employment Requirements.

It is your responsibility to work with your employer to ensure these requirements are met. If they are not met, your application will be declined, and the application fee will not be refunded.

Licensing, Registration, and Certification Requirements:
When you submit your application and when the AAIP reviews it, you must meet the following requirements:

• – You must have the necessary licensing, registration, or certification to work in your current occupation in Alberta or the occupation in your job offer. You can find specific requirements for your occupation on the Alis website.
• – If you work or have a job offer in a compulsory trade in Alberta, you need a valid Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Trade (AIT) recognized trade certificate.
• – If you are applying as a childcare worker in Alberta, you must have valid certification as a Level 2 Early Childhood Educator or Level 3 Early Childhood Educator before applying to the AAIP.

Occupation Requirements

Work Experience Requirements

Note: If you submitted your application on or before November 15, 2022, please refer to the NOC 2016 version of the work experience requirements.

For Temporary Foreign Workers: At the time of your application, you must have at least 12 months of full-time work experience in an eligible occupation within the last 18 months. This work experience can be a combination of time spent working in Alberta, elsewhere in Canada, or abroad.

For EMPP Refugee Applicants: At the time of your application, you must have a minimum of 12 months of full-time work experience in an eligible occupation within the last 10 years.

Work Experience in the Qualifying Period Must:

• – Be paid, full-time employment, with a minimum of 30 hours per week.
• – Meet the following TEER category matching requirements based on your job offer or current occupation:
  • TEER 0: Must match TEER 0 or 1.
  • TEER 1: Must match TEER 0, 1, or 2.
  • TEER 2: Must match TEER 1, 2, 3, or 4.
  • TEER 3: Must match TEER 1, 2, 3, or 4.
  • TEER 4: Must match TEER 2, 3, 4, or 5.
  • TEER 5: Must match TEER 5 and be in the same occupation (NOC code).
• – Be authorized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and you must have valid temporary resident status if the work experience was obtained in Canada.
• – Not be work experience gained while studying in Canada through co-op placements or internships as part of a study program, unless you are a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holder who completed paid co-op work terms as part of your studies at an Alberta post-secondary institution. In this case, the co-op work terms must be : Paid and full-time (minimum 30 hours per week), and All work experience must have been gained within Alberta.
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For PGWP Holders: If you have completed a two-year post-secondary education program at an IRCC-designated learning institution in your designated community, you are not required to meet the 12 months of work experience requirement.

Language Requirements

Confirm the TEER Category for your occupation in the NOC 2021 and use it to determine your minimum language score.

Approved Language Tests: You must provide official test results from one of the following approved language tests:

• – Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General Test
• – International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training Test
• – Test d’évaluation de français Canada (TEF Canada)
• – Test de connaissance du français Canada (TCF Canada)
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Additional Details: Official test results must be less than 2 years old when you submit your application. The test date (not the result release date) determines the age of your results. Confirmation of registration for a language test is not accepted in place of actual test results

Education Requirements

At the time of your application, you must have completed at least a high school education that is equivalent to the Canadian education standard, or you must hold a foreign degree, diploma, or certificate.

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

If you are a temporary foreign worker, you must submit an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for your highest level of education. The ECA must be issued by an organization that is designated by IRCC.

You do not need to provide an ECA if:

• – You have a Canadian degree, diploma, or certificate from a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution, technical college, or secondary school.
• – You have a valid Alberta Qualification Certificate or a trade certificate that is recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT).

For EMPP refugee applicants, an ECA is not required. However, if you already have one, you should submit it.

Settlement Fund Requirements (Temporary Foreign Workers Only)

Temporary foreign workers must meet settlement fund requirements to demonstrate they can support themselves and their family when settling in their designated community. EMPP refugees do not need to meet these requirements.

You must show sufficient funds at the time of your application and when the AAIP assesses your application if:

• You are outside Canada, or
• You are in Canada but not working.

Settlement fund amounts depend on your family size and the population of your designated community. The funds must be unencumbered and readily accessible; personal assets like real estate, jewelry, and cars are not eligible.

Minimum Required Funds Based on Family Size and Community Population

Fund Verification

Funds must be accessible at application and assessment. Provide official bank letters, including:

• – Bank’s letterhead with contact information
• – Your name and account details
• – Current balances, account numbers, and recent transactions
• – Outstanding debts like loans or credit cards.

– Funds can include joint accounts with your spouse, as long as you can prove access.