May 1, 2022: Refusal to process list removed

As of May 1, 2022, the Alberta government lifted restrictions on hiring new temporary foreign workers to help employers meet their workforce needs. The Alberta government removed all occupations on the ‘refusal to process’ list, which had been created to prioritize jobs for unemployed Albertans due to the pandemic.

This supports sectors of Alberta’s economy that are experiencing labour shortages and struggling to fill available positions with Canadian workers.

This change may increase the likelihood for selection and receipt of a Notification of Interest letter under the Alberta Express Entry Stream. There is no change to Alberta Opportunity Stream eligibility. The refusal to process list has not applied to Alberta Opportunity Stream eligibility criteria since October 31, 2020.

AAIP has removed all references to the refusal to process list from the AAIP website.