Rural Renewal Stream: Information for Candidates

Eligibility criteria update as of Nov. 6, 2024: 

• Your employer applies to the Cold Lake Rural Renewal Stream for a letter of endorsement on behalf of the successful candidate. A Request for Endorsement Letter Form will be provided directly to the employer by the City of Cold Lake's economic development team.
• Employers may only submit 10 Endorsement Letter nominations per calendar year, regardless if the nomination is successful or not. The nomination is still counted if an approved employee leaves the place of employment.
• Employers must have no more than 20% of their business's total workforce hired through any Temporary Foreign Worker Program (eg. Rural Renewal Stream, Alberta Opportunity Stream, LMIA, etc.)
• Employers that are at, or over, the allotted 20% threshold will not be allowed any new nominations until:
  • the total headcount increases enough to qualify for additional nominations, or
  • enough endorsed employees have left the employer to drop the TFW hired employee percentage to below 20%

Applicants who wish to participate in the Cold Lake Renewal Stream program must meet a series of criteria, receive an authentic job offer from an approved employer, be endorsed by the City of Cold Lake through the Cold Lake Rural Renewal stream process and then apply for a Government of Alberta nomination using the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) portal. Approved job opportunities from participating employers will be posted to the City of Cold Lake's Rural Renewal Stream Job Board. 

Before you Apply

Before applying for an employment opportunity in the City of Cold Lake, candidates are encouraged to review, understand and ensure they meet all eligibility requirements under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program. Eligibility requirements include: 

• Work experience
• Education
• Language Proficiency 
• Financial Security

Once a candidate is confident they meet the eligibility requirements, they may apply for employment with employers located within the City of Cold Lake. Applications must be made directly to the employer.

After you Apply

After you apply for positions directly to the employer, the employer will go through their hiring process and make a job offer to the successful candidate. Once you receive and accept a job offer from an employer participating in the program, your employer will apply to the Cold Lake Rural Renewal Stream for a letter of endorsement.

After receiving an letter of endorsement from the Cold Lake Rural Renewal Stream, you can then submit your application through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program's Portal. You will be notified by the Government of Alberta if you are eligible for nomination. At the time the application is submitted and at the time the AAIP assesses your application, you must intend to and be able to work, reside and settle in the City of Cold Lake.

After you Arrive

Within one month after you arrive in the City of Cold Lake your employer will make an appointment to visit with Cold Lake and District FCSS. Cold Lake and district FCSS will provide you with information about support services, recreation and life in Cold Lake. They will be a point of contact if you require assistance in settling into the community.