Dedicated Healthcare Pathway

Alberta Opportunity Stream

Express Entry

You must apply using the Express Entry option if you have an Alberta job offer in an eligible health care occupation and meet the eligibility requirements.

If you are approved under the Alberta Express Entry Stream – Dedicated Health Care Pathway, you will apply for permanent residence through the Government of Canada Express Entry process and will be subject to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) processing times.

Eligible Health Care Professions under the Dedicated Health Care Pathways:

The following health care professions are eligible, along with the respective regulatory organizations responsible for proof of ability to practice in Alberta:

• – Physicians – College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA)
• – Registered Nurses (RNs) – College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)
• – Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) – College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA)
• – Nurse Practitioners (NPs) – College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)
• – Physician Assistants – College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA)
• – Occupational Therapists – Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (ACOT)
• – Physiotherapists – College of Physiotherapists of Alberta (CPA)
• – Clinical Social Workers – Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW)
• – Psychologists – College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP)

National Occupational Classification (NOC) Codes: NOC codes cover various occupational titles.When applying for the Dedicated Health Care Pathway, you will need to provide information about the occupation listed in your job offer and proof from the regulatory organization showing your ability to practice in the eligible health care profession in Alberta.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility Requirements for the Dedicated Health Care Pathway under Express Entry:

To qualify, you must:

1. Have a valid, verifiable job offer from an Alberta employer in the health sector (with valid Workers’ Compensation Board coverage) in an eligible health care occupation.
2. Provide proof that you meet the minimum requirements set by the applicable regulatory organization to practice the eligible health care profession in Alberta.
3. Have an active Express Entry profile in the federal Express Entry pool.
4. Ensure your primary occupation in your Express Entry profile is in an eligible health care occupation.
5. Have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300 in the federal Express Entry system.
6. Meet the criteria of at least one of the following federal immigration programs managed by Express Entry:

7. • • Canadian Experience Class
     • Federal Skilled Trades Program
     • Federal Skilled Worker Program
8. Intend to and be able to live and work permanently in Alberta and have stated an interest in immigrating permanently to Alberta

Non-Express Entry

 You can apply for this option only if you have an Alberta job offer in an eligible health care occupation and do not qualify for the Alberta Express Entry Stream.

If you can create an Express Entry profile with a CRS score of 300 or more, you must apply through the Alberta Express Entry Stream. Work with your employer to determine if you qualify before applying via this pathway.

If approved under the Non-Express Entry – Dedicated Health Care Pathway, you will apply for permanent residence through the Government of Canada Provincial Nominee Program: Non-Express Entry Process and are subject to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) processing times.

Eligible Health Care Professions under the Dedicated Health Care Pathways:

The following health care professions are eligible, along with the respective regulatory organizations responsible for proof of ability to practice in Alberta:

• – Physicians – College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA)
• – Registered Nurses (RNs) – College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)
• – Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) – College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA)
• – Nurse Practitioners (NPs) – College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)
• – Physician Assistants – College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA)
• – Occupational Therapists – Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (ACOT)
• – Physiotherapists – College of Physiotherapists of Alberta (CPA)
• – Clinical Social Workers – Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW)
• – Psychologists – College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP)

National Occupational Classification (NOC) Codes: NOC codes cover various occupational titles. When applying for the Dedicated Health Care Pathway, you will need to provide information about the occupation listed in your job offer and proof from the regulatory organization showing your ability to practice in the eligible health care profession in Alberta.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

• Job Offer: Have a valid, verifiable job offer from an Alberta employer in the health sector, in an eligible health care occupation (based on valid Workers’ Compensation Board coverage).
• Learn more about job offer requirements.
• – Regulatory Requirements: Provide verifiable proof that you meet the minimal requirements prescribed by the applicable regulatory organization to practice the eligible health care profession in Alberta.
• – Work Permit: Have a valid work permit or maintain status during processing (formerly implied status) if you are working in Alberta when you submit your application.
• – Intention to Live and Work in Alberta: You must intend to and be able to live and work permanently in Alberta and have expressed interest in immigrating to Alberta.
• – Language Requirements: Demonstrate a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5 for all language skill levels, or sufficient language proficiency to get licensure in the regulated health care occupation in Alberta. You can show this through:
  • Successful registration as a licensed professional in Alberta, or
  • Submitting an official language test result.

Specific requirements for certain professions:

Licensed Practical Nurses: Must show language requirements for licensure and submit an AAIP-accepted language test to demonstrate a minimum of CLB 5 for all skill levels.

Clinical Social Workers: Must provide a copy of the language exam used for licensure or submit an AAIP-accepted official language test showing a minimum of CLB 5 for all skill levels.

• Accepted 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)
  • Important: Official test results must be less than 2 years old from the date you took the test when you submit your application. The AAIP does not accept confirmation of registration to take a language test.