Primary NOC in AINP and EE EOI profiles

[Claudia A McPherson]

Hi everyone. Al, per our Q & A session last week, thank you for offering to find out the answer to my question if no-one else knows the answer: Q. Under Alberta’s Immigrant Nominee Program, must the primary NOC in the EOI profile be the same as the primary occupation NOC in the applicant’s Express Entry profile?  My client received an ITA for the Alberta Opportunities Stream (AOS) despite submitting her EOI for the Rural Renewal Stream (RRS). Her 12 months of work experience are in different NOCs but very similar occupations, which is allowed for the RRS but not so (or discretionary) in AOS. Since her occupation duties (teaching at a college vs. teaching at a university) are comparable, we are considering taking a calculated risk and submitting her application for AOS anyway. However, since my understanding is that you can only have one active AINP Worker EOI at a time (I believe “active” means submitted and not just a draft), if RRS were to have a draw, she could not receive an ITA, so I want to be sure she is not lose out because of the occupation/NOC issue. At the federal level, we would apply based on the CEC program, not the FSW program.

[Al Parsai]

Thank you for the detailed context and for outlining the situation. Here’s a breakdown of the key considerations and my professional input on the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) question:

Key Issues to Address:
Must the primary NOC in the EOI profile align with the Express Entry profile for AINP?

The primary NOC in the EOI profile does not necessarily have to be identical to the primary NOC in the Express Entry profile. However, the work experience submitted for the Alberta Opportunities Stream (AOS) must meet the specific eligibility requirements, which include:
The candidate’s current occupation must align with their Alberta job offer if applicable.
The NOC listed in the application for AOS should reflect 12 months of full-time work experience in Alberta in the same occupation (or closely related NOC).
Switch from Rural Renewal Stream (RRS) to Alberta Opportunities Stream (AOS):

While the Rural Renewal Stream permits work experience in multiple related NOCs, the AOS has stricter requirements. Specifically:
For AOS, the 12 months of work experience in Alberta must be continuous and in the same NOC. IRCC and the AINP are typically strict on this point.
Duties between NOCs, even if closely related (e.g., teaching at a college vs. university), must fall under the same NOC if applying under AOS to minimize refusal risks.
Impact of Active EOIs on Receiving Future ITAs:

You are correct: an individual can only have one active AINP Worker EOI at a time.
If an ITA is issued under AOS and an application is submitted, the applicant will be considered under AOS exclusively, and their RRS eligibility will not be assessed in parallel.
If a draw occurs for RRS while the client’s profile is active for AOS, they will not receive an ITA for RRS.
Risk Assessment for AOS Submission:

Discretionary Evaluations: While NOCs with comparable duties (e.g., teaching at a college vs. a university) may strengthen your argument, there is no guarantee this will satisfy AINP assessors under AOS. A refusal could result in lost time and the need to reactivate the RRS profile.
Calculated Risk: If the client’s work experience aligns closely with a specific NOC under AOS and supporting documents are clear and robust, it may be worth pursuing AOS. However, weigh the timelines and consequences of potentially missing an RRS ITA.
Recommendations:
Confirm NOC Eligibility for AOS:

Double-check if the client’s NOC duties align under one specific NOC category that qualifies for AOS. Refer to the National Occupation Classification (NOC) Matrix for detailed comparisons of related duties.
Clarify Work Experience Details:

Ensure the 12 months of Alberta work experience meet AOS criteria. Discrepancies between NOCs could lead to refusal.
Reassess Priority Streams:

If the client has stronger eligibility under RRS, consider withdrawing the AOS EOI and focusing on RRS to avoid lost opportunities.
Mitigate Federal Risks:

For Express Entry, applying through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) makes sense if the 12 months of work experience are valid in Canada. Ensure federal documentation corroborates provincial submissions.

[Claudia A McPherson]

Brilliant! Thanks so much for your clear and fulsome response Al.
My client understands the risks, including the potential loss of her application fee, but insists on pursuing AOS. Her WP expires in late 2026, and so even if unsuccesful with AOS, if all aligns, she should hopefully have enough time to gain an RRS ITA. Cheers!

[Author]

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