
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program – Processing Times and Application Levels
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is designed to nominate individuals for permanent residency in Alberta based on their ability to address job shortages or their intention to establish a business in the province. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to support their families. This initiative is a collaboration between the governments of Alberta and Canada.
Successful nominees under AAIP can apply for permanent residency along with their spouse or common-law partner, as well as dependent children. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada oversees the permanent residency applications, with final decisions made by the federal government.
Streams for Workers
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has four streams for foreign workers who are either currently living and working in Alberta or planning to do so:
- Tourism and Hospitality Stream:
This stream is for qualified candidates living and working in Alberta who have a full-time job offer to continue working with an employer in Alberta’s tourism and hospitality sector.
- Alberta Opportunity Stream:
Qualified candidates living and working in Alberta with a job offer from an Alberta employer can apply for an AAIP nomination through this stream.
- Alberta Express Entry Stream:
Qualified candidates in the federal Express Entry pool who meet the minimum requirements and have factors that increase their chances of selection can be invited to apply for nomination. This stream includes dedicated pathways for health care professionals, technology workers, and police occupations.
- Rural Renewal Stream:
Communities must become designated before they can recruit and endorse qualified candidates. Temporary foreign workers with a job offer from an Alberta employer in a designated community, along with an endorsement letter from that community, can apply for an AAIP nomination. Communities can also endorse refugees who qualify under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP), with support from a non-governmental referral partner to assist with the AAIP application process.
Entrepreneur Streams
The AAIP offers four streams for entrepreneurs aiming to settle in Alberta and either start or purchase a business:
- Rural Entrepreneur Stream
Entrepreneurs looking to start or acquire a business in a rural Alberta community can submit an Expression of Interest.
- Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
International graduates from recognized Alberta post-secondary institutions who wish to start or buy a business can submit an Expression of Interest.
- Farm Stream
Experienced farmers intending to start or purchase a farm in Alberta can apply for nomination.
- Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
Foreign graduates with degrees from non-Canadian post-secondary institutions who want to launch a start-up or innovative business can collaborate with a designated agency to submit an Expression of Interest.
This section provides details on the number of nominations issued and available, the dates applications are accepted, the targets for applications, and the estimated processing times. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) determines nomination limits for all provincial nominee programs. For 2024, the AAIP received a total of 9,750 nominations. Below is a summary of the nominations issued and the total nominations available per stream for 2024.
The processing times and volumes for the Entrepreneur stream vary based on the expression of interest stage and the business application or performance agreement. Typically, evaluating both an expression of interest and a business application takes up to four months. Applicants in the Entrepreneur stream regularly communicate with AAIP staff who are in charge of determining eligibility for business application approval and nomination as of July 12, 2024
Application Dates and Targets for Worker Streams
Effective June 11, 2024, the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AAIP) has implemented new guidelines for the Alberta Opportunity Stream, Rural Renewal Stream, and Accelerated Tech Pathway. These guidelines are similar to those already in place for the Tourism and Hospitality Stream.
Updated Processing Times:
- The revised processing times below reflect the new guidelines, assisting applicants in planning their submissions.
- Application acceptance dates and targets are estimates, influenced by factors such as application volume, economic needs, available allocations, and future planning.
- Details may change without prior notice due to these variables, so regular updates are recommended.
Note: The process for managing draws for other pathways and priorities varies through the Notification of Interest system. For more details, visit the Eligibility page and learn about the Alberta Express Entry Stream Notification of Interest processes.
Application Acceptance Summary
As of July 12, 2024, the numbers below reflect the accepted applications for assessment in the Alberta Opportunity Stream, Rural Renewal Stream, and Tourism and Hospitality Stream.
Accelerated Tech Pathway
There are currently 446 web form submissions in the pool. These submissions were received between May 23, 2024 and June 11, 2024. Submissions in this pool are reviewed for eligibility to receive an invitation to apply during application acceptance dates.
Express Entry draws
Role as a candidate
If you need a job offer in Alberta for the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), it’s your responsibility to collaborate with your Alberta employer. This includes ensuring that the employer meets the specified requirements for the job offer or employment contract and submitting all necessary documents with your application. Failure to meet these requirements will result in application rejection, and note that application fees are non-refundable in such cases.
Candidates must also demonstrate their potential for economic establishment in Alberta. Applications to the AAIP are considered expressions of interest and are evaluated based on application quality, eligibility, labor market conditions, and other discretionary factors by the AAIP.
Employer obligations: The employer providing your Alberta job offer must satisfy several criteria to the satisfaction of the AAIP:
- Prove the legitimacy of their business and its operation in Alberta.
- Ensure the job offer aligns with their business activities and operational needs.
- Fulfill all terms of the job offer or employment contract, verifiable by the AAIP.
Specific requirements include the employer being registered under Canadian legislation, operating in Alberta for at least two fiscal years, maintaining a physical business presence in Alberta, and demonstrating the need for the position either through recruitment efforts or valid work permits.
Job offer specifics
Your job offer must be genuine, signed by a legitimate Alberta employer, and guarantee continuous paid employment for at least 30 hours per week, lasting at least 12 months. Wages and benefits must meet or exceed provincial standards, with some exceptions outlined for specific occupations like religious leaders.
Ineligible applicants
Certain individuals are ineligible for AAIP nomination, including part-time, casual, or seasonal workers, independent contractors, and those working in non-commercial or non-industrial locations within Alberta.
It’s crucial to verify these requirements with your employer before proceeding, as application fees are non-refundable if your employer supports more applicants than allowed based on their operational history in Alberta.
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