The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) offers the Tourism and Hospitality Stream to help skilled workers in the industry gain permanent residency in Alberta. Applicants must meet specific requirements related to employment, occupation, language, and education at both the time of application submission and assessment.
- Overview of the Alberta Tourism and Hospitality Stream
- Eligibility Criteria for Employers and Employees
- List of Eligible Industries and Occupations
- Work Experience, Language, and Education Requirements
- Ineligible Applicants and Important Considerations
Approved Employer Requirements
To qualify, applicants must work for an approved employer in Alberta’s tourism and hospitality sector. The employer must:
- Operate in an eligible industry (as per the Worker’s Compensation Board – Alberta codes).
- Have valid WCB coverage or be exempt from it.
- Be a member of an approved sector association unless exempted by documentation.
Eligible Tourism and Hospitality Industries
Industries covered under this stream include:
- Museums, Art Galleries
- Zoos, Game Farms
- Bowling Alleys, Billiard Parlours
- Golf Clubs, Ranges
- Ski Resorts, Gondolas
- Casinos, Dance Halls
- Arenas, Stadiums
- Travel Agencies, Motor Associations
- Restaurants, Catering
- Hotels, Convention Centres
- Sports and Recreation
- Property Management, Hostels
- Private Clubs
- Curling Rinks, Ice Skating Rinks, Cricket Fields
- Convention Bureaus, Information Bureaus
- Promotions, Sports, and Entertainment
- Professional Sports
Employers must meet all Alberta employment standards and provide full-time job offers.
Occupation and Employment Requirements
Applicants must be currently employed in Alberta in an eligible tourism or hospitality occupation with a full-time job offer.
Eligible Occupations (NOC 2021)
- 54100 – Program Leaders & Instructors in Recreation, Sport, and Fitness
- 60030 – Restaurant and Food Services Managers
- 60031 – Accommodation Service Managers
- 62020 – Food Service Supervisors
- 62200 – Chefs
- 63200 – Cooks
- 64300 – Maîtres d’hôtel and Hosts/Hostesses
- 64301 – Bartenders
- 64314 – Hotel Front Desk Clerks
- 64320 – Tour and Travel Guides
- 64322 – Outdoor Sport and Recreational Guides
- 65200 – Food and Beverage Servers
- 65201 – Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers, and Related Support Occupations
- 65210 – Support Occupations in Accommodation, Travel, and Facilities Set-up Services
- 65310 – Light Duty Cleaners
- 65311 – Specialized Cleaners
- 65312 – Janitors, Caretakers, and Heavy-Duty Cleaners
- 65320 – Dry Cleaning, Laundry, and Related Occupations
Work Experience Requirements
- Minimum of 6 consecutive months (780 hours) with an approved employer.
- Experience must be full-time, paid, and authorized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Ineligible Applicants
Applicants do not qualify if they:
- Work part-time, casually, or seasonally.
- Are independent contractors or agency workers.
- Work in home-based businesses or virtual locations.
Language Requirements
Applicants must meet minimum language scores in English or French:
- CLB 4 (Canadian Language Benchmark) in each skill: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.
- Provide valid test results from:
- CELPIP – General Test
- IELTS – General Training
- TEF Canada
- TCF Canada
Test results must be less than 2 years old at the time of application.
Education Requirements
Applicants must have completed at least high school education equivalent to Canadian standards.
Proof of Education
- Provide an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from an IRCC-designated organization if your education is from outside Canada.
- An ECA is not required if you have:
- A Canadian post-secondary diploma, degree, or certificate from a recognized institution.
- A valid Alberta Qualification Certificate or a recognized trade certificate.
The AAIP reserves the right to request additional assessments to verify educational qualifications.
FAQ: Alberta Tourism and Hospitality Stream
What is the Alberta Tourism and Hospitality Stream?
The Alberta Tourism and Hospitality Stream is a part of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) designed to help skilled workers in the tourism and hospitality industry obtain permanent residency. Applicants must meet employment, occupation, language, and education criteria while working for an approved employer in Alberta.
What types of jobs qualify under this stream?
Eligible occupations include food service supervisors, restaurant and accommodation managers, cooks, chefs, hotel front desk clerks, bartenders, tour guides, and janitorial staff. Applicants must have a full-time job offer from an approved employer in the tourism and hospitality sector.
What are the minimum work experience requirements?
Applicants must have at least six consecutive months (780 hours) of full-time, paid work experience with an approved employer in Alberta. The work must be authorized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and should not be part-time, casual, or seasonal.
What are the language and education requirements?
Applicants must meet a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 4 in English or French, with valid test results from IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada. They must also have at least a high school diploma equivalent to Canadian standards, verified by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if obtained outside Canada.
Can I apply if I work part-time or as a contractor?
No, part-time, casual, seasonal, or independent contract work does not qualify under this stream. Applicants must be full-time employees with an official job offer from an approved Alberta employer operating in an eligible industry.
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