Alberta Advantage Immigration Program: Processing Times and Application Levels

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is a key initiative aimed at attracting skilled workers and entrepreneurs to the province. The program includes several streams, each with specific nomination limits and processing times. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the AAIP, including the number of nominations issued, application volumes, processing times, and key dates for 2024.

Overview of AAIP Streams

The AAIP consists of several immigration streams tailored to different applicant profiles:

1. Alberta Express Entry Stream: Targets candidates in the federal Express Entry pool who meet specific criteria and have a job offer or work experience in Alberta.
2. Alberta Opportunity Stream: For skilled workers currently employed in Alberta with a valid job offer.
3. Rural Renewal Stream: Designed for candidates with job offers in designated rural communities.
4. Tourism and Hospitality Stream: For individuals working in Alberta’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
5. Strategic Recruitment Stream: Allows individuals to apply without employer support, focusing on high-demand occupations.
6. Entrepreneur Streams: Various pathways for entrepreneurs looking to start or buy a business in Alberta, including the Graduate Entrepreneur Stream and the Rural Entrepreneur Stream.

Processing Times

Processing times for the AAIP can vary significantly depending on the stream and the volume of applications. The following are average processing times as of July 2024:

• Alberta Opportunity Stream: Approximately 4 to 6 months for online applications; up to 15 to 19 months for paper applications.
• Alberta Express Entry Stream: Typically, processing can be completed in a similar timeframe of 4 to 6 months.
• Rural Renewal Stream and Tourism and Hospitality Stream: Processing times can also range around 4 months for applications.
• Entrepreneur Streams: These can take up to 4 months for both expression of interest and business application assessments.

Nominations Issued and Available

As of July 25, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has set nomination limits for all provincial nominee programs. In 2024, AAIP received a total of 9,750 nominations across various streams. The following table summarizes the nominations issued and the total estimated nominations allocated for each stream:

Application Volumes and Processing

The application volumes and processing times as of July 25, 2024, are detailed below. The following table indicates the number of unprocessed applications and the dates for which applications are currently being assessed:

Entrepreneur stream processing times vary based on the stage of the application (expression of interest, business application, or business performance agreement). On average, it takes up to four months to assess an expression of interest and business application. Frequent contact with AAIP staff is maintained throughout the process.

Application Dates and Targets

Effective June 11, 2024, AAIP has implemented new guidelines for the Alberta Opportunity Stream, Rural Renewal Stream, and Accelerated Tech Pathway. These guidelines are similar to those used in the Tourism and Hospitality Stream. The following table outlines the application acceptance dates and targets:

In response to recent challenges, such as wildfires affecting some applicants, the AAIP has implemented temporary measures to support those impacted. Furthermore, a new Law Enforcement Pathway has been added to the Express Entry Stream to attract skilled professionals in this field. Overall, the AAIP is adapting to the changing immigration landscape, aiming to meet the needs of Alberta’s economy while managing application volumes efficiently. Understanding these processing times and application levels is crucial for anyone navigating the immigration process in Alberta.

Application Acceptance Summary

As of July 25, 2024, the number of applications accepted for assessment in key streams is as follows:

Accelerated Tech Pathway

As of July 25, 2024, there are 446 web form submissions in the pool for the Accelerated Tech Pathway, received between May 23, 2024, and June 11, 2024. The following table lists the invitations to apply sent from this pool:

Express Entry Draws

The following table lists the past draws for the Alberta Express Entry Stream

Table 6: Past Express Entry Draws

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) plays a critical role in meeting Alberta’s labor market needs and supporting economic growth. With a variety of streams tailored to different applicant profiles, the AAIP provides multiple pathways for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and those in specific sectors like healthcare and technology. Understanding the processing times and current application levels is essential for potential applicants to plan their submissions effectively.