September 28, 2022: Religious workers eligible for AAIP

As of September 28, 2022, religious workers and clergy with an Alberta job offer from an Alberta-based faith organization are eligible to apply under all 3 of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program’s worker streams: the Alberta Opportunity Stream, Rural Renewal Stream and the Alberta Express Entry Stream. Candidates must meet all eligibility requirements to apply. Meal and lodging deductions that meet Employment Standards are permitted for these occupations with proof of employee authorization of deductions required, where applicable. Review the eligibility page of each stream for detailed requirements.  Read the full announcement.

2024-03-29 14:07:17

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.

2024-03-29 14:07:17

March 4, 2022: Responding to the crisis in Ukraine

In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, temporary processing measures are now in place to assist Ukrainian nationals who apply to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). These measures will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.The following temporary processing measures apply to Ukrainians by birth and citizenship: Applications and requests for post-decision services are being priority processed. Application fees and request for post-decision service fees will be reimbursed to all candidates and nominees who apply to the program or who make a request for post-decision services on or after February 24, 2022. New candidates must continue to have valid language results and an Educational Credential Assessment (if applicable) to submit an application. Candidates who are missing any other required documents due to the conflict in the Ukraine may submit an incomplete application if they still meet all selection criteria for their AAIP stream. Candidates who submit an incomplete application must: upload a written explanation into the portal that explains why the document(s) cannot be acquired, and provide evidence that they have requested the document(s) from the individual or organization responsible for issuing the document, or evidence the issuing body is not issuing documents due to conflict in Ukraine. If a current candidate or nominee cannot provide documents due to the conflict in Ukraine, they must provide: a written explanation as to why the document(s) cannot be acquired, and provide evidence they have requested the document(s) from the individual or organization responsible for issuing the document or evidence the issuing body is not issuing documents due to conflict in Ukraine. There are no changes to AAIP criteria. Ukrainian nationals must continue to meet program criteria to qualify for the program and be issued a nomination.Ukrainian nationals must apply to the program using the application portal. Program officers will implement these measures when assessing applications.Review Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada’s website for information on federal immigration measures for those affected by the crisis in Ukraine.

2024-03-29 14:07:17

February 16, 2022: AINP renamed

On February 16, 2022, the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) was renamed to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). Two new streams were also launched – the Rural Renewal Stream and the Rural Entrepreneur Stream.Several other changes were made to the program: The names of 3 entrepreneur streams changed: The International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream is now the Graduate Entrepreneur Stream The Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream is now the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream. The Self-Employed Farmer Stream is now the Farm Stream. Candidates who submitted their application using our online portal and need a nomination extension must now submit the request in the portal. Program eligibility criteria did not change for existing streams and pathways. All other post-decision processes are also unchanged. The new program and stream names will be updated in the portal in the coming weeks.Review the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program for details.

2024-03-29 14:07:17

October 26, 2020: Launch of new pathways

The Government of Alberta is launching 2 new immigration pathways to encourage international graduates to open businesses here in Alberta that will create new high-paying jobs for Albertans and help diversify the economy.Starting October 26, 2020, recent international graduates from Alberta’s universities and colleges interested in launching business ventures and start-ups in Alberta can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) under to the new Graduate Entrepreneur Stream. In January, Alberta will also launch the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream to attract talented international graduates from top U.S. universities and colleges to start businesses and settle in Alberta communities.Details on the Graduate Entrepreneur Stream are available now. Information on the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream will be posted to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) website later this year.

2024-03-29 14:07:17

October 1, 2020: Online portal launch

New Alberta Advantage Immigration Program online portalStarting October 1, 2020, all candidates (except Self-Employed Farmer Stream candidates) can apply online using the AAIP portal. Alberta Express Entry Stream candidates must receive authorization from the AAIP to access the portal.The AAIP portal was designed to make the application for candidates easy. Candidates receive tips on how to enter data, a customized list of documents and can save a draft application to complete at a later date. The system does an initial assessment on eligibility, and ensures that candidates who clearly do not meet basic criteria do not waste time and money submitting an application.Check out the new AAIP Portal.Application feesAll applications submitted using the AAIP online portal on or after October 1, 2020, are subject to a $500 processing fee. The application fee is non-refundable once an application has been submitted. The fee covers the cost of processing the application and is required whether a nomination certificate is issued or not.Alberta Opportunity and Express Entry streamsCandidates who submitted an Alberta Opportunity Stream and Express Entry Stream application by mail on or before October 1, 2020, do not have to pay the processing fee.Farm StreamThe introduction of an application fee has changed the process for applying to the Farm Stream. Candidates submitting to this stream by mail on or before October 1, 2020, do not have to pay the processing fee. Applications mailed after October 1, 2020, must pay the fee.Post-decision servicesAll requests for post-decision services must now be emailed.The AAIP is now charging a fee for post-decision services, including requests for reconsideration, nomination extensions and nominee requests for 204(c) Letters of Support. All fees are paid online.Requests for services emailed on or after October 1, 2020, including requests for reconsideration, nomination extensions and nominee requests for 204(c) Letters of Support, are subject to a $100 service fee.204(c) Letters of Support will no longer be issued with a nomination and must be requested by the nominee. Nominees who have a written request from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a 204(c) Letter of Support do not need to pay the service fee.The fee covers the cost of processing your request and is required even if it is determined you are not eligible to have your decision reconsidered or that you are not eligible to receive a nomination extension or 204(c) Letter of Support. Refunds will only be provided for requests for reconsideration where the original decision to decline an application is overturned. All other service fees are non-refundable.For more information on application and post-decision services fees, see the 'Eligibility', 'How to apply' and 'After you are nominated' sections for each AAIP stream.Changes to COVID-19 measuresWe have made some changes to several of our temporary COVID-19 application and processing adjustments. For more information, see Changes due to COVID-19.Application updates now submitted by emailAll candidates, including those who applied by mail, will send their application updates by email. This includes informing the AAIP about: corrections or updates to information or documents in an application updates to employment status, immigration status, contact information, family composition updates to use of a third party representative application withdrawal For more information, see the 'How to apply' and 'After you are nominated' sections for each AAIP stream.

2024-03-29 14:07:17