“The Rural Renewal Stream supports the attraction and retention of newcomers to rural Alberta through a community-driven approach that supports local economic development needs and contributes to the growth of the community. The Rural Renewal Stream empowers rural communities to recruit and retain foreign nationals to live, work and settle in their communities. Communities and employers can:
work on their own to recruit foreign workers. Once nominated, temporary foreign workers can qualify to work while they wait for a decision on their permanent residence application or
work with an approved non-governmental organization, also referred to as a Designated Referral Partner, to recruit and retain refugees under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP). Communities must apply for and become designated before they can recruit and endorse candidates for the Rural Renewal Stream. Candidates endorsed by the community who meet eligibility requirements either temporary foreign worker or EMPP refugee can apply using the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program portal. Effective June 11, 2024, the Rural Renewal stream has adopted a new approach. Each month a targeted number of applications will be accepted into the pool from where AAIP will draw. Hence, Applications will be accepted monthly, starting on the following dates:
June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10, October 8, November 5, and December 10
Once the monthly application target has been met, no further applications will be accepted until the following month.
Language
At the time your application is submitted, you must demonstrate that you meet the following language test score in English or French:
- If you are working in a NOC 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation: a minimum score of 5 for each English (CLB test score) or French (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC)) test score language skill is required.
- If your job offer is for NOC 4 or 5 occupation: a minimum score of 4 for each English (CLB test score) or French (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC)) test score language skill is required.
Education Outside Canada
At the time your application is submitted, you must have completed a minimum of high school education equivalent to the Canadian education standard or a foreign degree, diploma or certificate.
- If you are a temporary foreign worker you must provide a copy of an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) issued by an organization designated by IRCC for your highest level of education.
You do not need to provide an ECA if:
- you have a Canadian degree, diploma or certificate from a recognized Canadian post-secondary, technical college or secondary institution, or
- you have a valid Alberta Qualification Certificate or a trade certificate recognized by AIT.
- If you are an EMPP refugee you do not need to provide an ECA. If you have an ECA, submit it.
Work/Business Experience
- If you are a temporary foreign worker: 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 18 months prior to your application. This work experience can be a combination of experience gained in Alberta, in Canada (outside Alberta) or abroad.
- If you are an EMPP refugee applicant: 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.
Work experience in the qualifying period must:
- have been paid full-time employment, for a minimum of 30 hours a week
- meet the following requirements:
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 - have been authorized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and with valid temporary resident status if obtained in Canada.
- not have been gained while studying in Canada and doing co-op work placements or internships as part of a study program, unless you are a PGWP holder who completed paid co-op work terms as a part of your program of study at an Alberta post-secondary institution. To qualify, the work terms must have been:
- paid and full-time (minimum 30 hours per week), and
- for work experience all gained in Alberta
- Post-Graduation Work Permit holders who have completed a two-year post-secondary education program at an IRCC designated learning institution in their designated community are not required to meet the 12 months of work experience criterion.
Job Offer
At the time your application is submitted and at the time the AAIP assesses your application, you must have a bona fide full-time job offer or employment contract from an Alberta employer to work in an eligible occupation in your designated community.
Your job offer or employment contract must:
- be signed by you and your Alberta employer
- offer continuous, paid work in your designated community
- offer full-time work, defined as a minimum of 30 hours per week
- be for employment lasting 12 months or more
You must meet the terms agreed to in your job offer or employment contract at the time of application and assessment.
Wage or Salary
Wages and benefits must:
- meet or exceed the lowest starting wage for your occupation across all industries in Alberta as set out on the Alis website
- If your employer has obtained a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for your occupation: wages and benefits must meet or exceed the requirements set out in your LMIA.
- If your job offer is for NOC 41302 – Religious leaders or NOC 42204 – Religion workers: meal and lodging deductions that meet Employment Standards are permitted. Proof of employee authorization of deductions is required.
Employer Official Letter
-
All candidates must have an Endorsement of Candidate letter from their designated community.
- The letter must be issued by the local EDO of the community and must outline the following:
- name and address of the EDO supporting the application
- your full name and residential address
- details of the bona fide job offer:
- name of the business
- name and contact information of the employer
- location of employment
- position and description of job duties
- duration of employment and work conditions
- detailed description of how filling the position you are offered aligns with the economic growth of the designated community
- your employer’s efforts to fill the position within Canada and outcomes
- name, title and contact information of the person issuing the Endorsement of Candidate letter
-
Referral Partner letter (for EMPP refugee applicants only)
- Letter must be issued by one of the following EMPP referral partners:
- FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance
- Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)
- International Rescue Committee
- JumpStart Refugee Talent
- RefugePoint
- Talent Beyond Boundaries
- Talentlift
- Letter must:
- include information for the partner organization representative(s) issuing the letter – name, title, email address, phone number, signature
- include the applicant’s full name and date of birth
- include the applicant’s job information
- confirm the referral partner has completed an assessment of the principal applicant relating to the verification of their status, and indicate which following document is held, either:
- a positive Refugee Status Determination (RSD) from either the UNHCR, or a refugee-hosting state
- proof of being registered or recorded as a person of concern by the UNHCR, if a positive RSD has not been obtained yet or is not available in the state where the foreign national is residing at the time of their application
- a refugee certificate with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
- proof of being registered or recorded as a person of concern by the UNRWA, if a refugee certificate has not been obtained yet
- a Temporary Protection Status (TPS) document proof of having Temporary Protected Status issued by the hosting state where you are residing at the time of your application; and a Durable Solution Information (IMM 0195) form
- If you do not have one of the documents listed above, you must apply with the support of an EMPP partner who can issue a federal trusted partner referral letter (IMM 0183). The federal trusted partner referral letter must be submitted with your application. The letter must be valid at the time of the application.
Eligible NOC TEER Categories
Most occupations under NOC TEER categories 0, 1, 2, 3 4 and 5 are eligible under the AAIP.
Intention to live in Province
At the time your application is submitted and at the time the AAIP assesses your application, you must intend to and be able to reside and work in your designated community in Alberta.
Additional Requirements
The Rural Renewal Stream has a 2-step process:
-
One of the following community endorsement processes:
- Community directly recruits temporary foreign workers to meet labour needs and provides an Endorsement of Candidate letter to selected candidates.
- Community completes Alberta’s Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) referral process to recruit refugees. An EMPP referral partner organization works with the community and the Alberta employer to assist in finding a refugee for the respective labour need. Selected candidate receives Endorsement of Candidate letter from the community and an EMPP Referral Partner letter from the referral partner.
-
Candidate submits the AAIP application.
At the time your application is submitted and at the time the AAIP assesses your application, you must meet the following licensing, registration and certification requirements:
- You must have the required licensing, registration or certification to work in your current occupation in Alberta or occupation in your Alberta job offer. Information on the occupation specific requirements is set out on the Alis website.
- If you are working or have a job offer 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 a childcare worker in Alberta, 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) prior to applying to AAIP.
Funds
Settlement Funds Requirement for Temporary Foreign Workers in Canadian Dollars
| 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 |
| Additional family members | $2,404 | $2,735 | $2,989 |
At the time your application is submitted and at the time the AAIP assesses your application, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family members to settle in your designated community if:
- You are not residing in Canada, or
- You are currently in Canada but are not working.
Minimum settlement funds requirements are based on the Low Income Cut-Offs (LICOs).
Additional Requirements:
- Funds must be unencumbered and readily available to you.
- Real estate property, jewelry, cars, and other personal assets are not eligible.
- If your spouse is accompanying you, joint account funds can be counted. Funds in your spouse’s account can also be counted if you can prove access.
- Provide official letters from banks or financial institutions:
- Printed on the institution’s letterhead
- Include contact information (address, phone number, email)
- Include your name
- List all outstanding debts
- For each account: account number, date opened, current balance, transactions in the last 3 months, average balance for the past 6 months
Ineligibility
Ineligible Individuals for Rural Renewal Stream
The following individuals are not eligible to apply for or be nominated under the Rural Renewal Stream, even with a job offer to work 30 hours a week or more in a 12-month period:
- Part-time, casual, or seasonal employees, regardless of their 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 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
- Refugee claimants already in Canada
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:
| 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 child care 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 |
Application Period
Approximately 2 months
Application Fee
The fee for the Rural Renewal stream is set at 500 CAD
Submission of Application
Eligibility Requirements for Candidates
Candidates must:
- Receive an Endorsement of Candidate letter from their designated community.
- Apply to the Rural Renewal (RR) stream when the stream is open in the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) portal by completing the online application and uploading all requested 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 on paper to IRCC, and include the nomination documentation received from the AAIP.