Ontario’s 2024 nomination allocation
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has received its 2024 nomination allocation from the federal government. The province’s 2024 allocation is 21,500 nominations.
2024-04-07 17:15:13
February 15, 2024: Alberta Opportunity Stream intake pause
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) temporarily paused Alberta Opportunity Stream application intake until further notice.The AAIP will continue to assess Alberta Opportunity Stream applications submitted before the pause. Draft applications in the AAIP portal that were not yet submitted before the pause was implemented, including those pending final fee payment, will not be accepted.This pause will enable the program to address its current inventory and focus its limited immigration nominations on priorities, such as filling labour shortages in healthcare, technology, construction, agriculture, tourism and hospitality and other in-demand sectors.The AAIP will be implementing measures to manage future application volumes against program priorities and to maintain reasonable service standards across its streams.The AAIP will update the website again when the pause is lifted and application intake in the stream resumes.
2024-03-29 14:07:17
February 13, 2024: Tourism and Hospitality Stream
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is launching a new immigration stream on March 1, 2024, to help the province’s tourism and hospitality industry address labour gaps and challenges.Applications will be accepted for the Tourism and Hospitality Stream on March 1, 2024, for a limited number of applications. The AAIP will be expediting the processing of these applications, within other priority processing initiatives.This new stream will enable Alberta businesses in this sector to attract and retain needed workers, which will strengthen and grow our economy. More details on eligibility criteria and how to apply will be released on March 1, 2024, when the AAIP is able to accept applications.Growing Alberta’s tourism and hospitality sector (February 13, 2024)
2024-03-29 14:07:17
April 27, 2023: New opportunities for tourism and hospitality workers
Alberta’s tourism and hospitality sector was hit hard by COVID-19 and continues to face labour shortages that are affecting industry recovery and growth. To support the industry's employers, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program is developing a new tourism and hospitality immigration stream. This stream is expected to provide a dedicated and faster option to permanent residence for newcomers working in the industry.The Alberta government is working to design the new stream. More details will be available in the coming months. This stream will complement Alberta Express Entry Stream selections in 2023 based on priority sectors.
2024-03-29 14:07:17
Dedicated Healthcare Pathway This pathway operates under the Alberta Express Entry Stream, and will use up to 30% of available Express Entry allocations in 2023. Physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, physician assistants, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and clinical social workers are eligible. Eligible healthcare professionals must have an Alberta job offer with an employer in the healthcare sector in Alberta, and must have verifiable proof of meeting the minimal requirements prescribed by the applicable regulatory organization to be able to practice in Alberta. AAIP Rural Entrepreneur Stream – Minimum Investment Criteria Minimum investment required by applicants has been reduced from $200,000 to $100,000, which is more comparable and competitive with other entrepreneur streams. AAIP Rural Renewal Stream – Removal of Settlement Organization Endorsement Letter in Community Designation Application Process This removal streamlines the community designation application process. Communities are still required to complete a settlement plan as part of the designation application process to demonstrate adequate supports are in place to effectively welcome newcomers. Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) The AAIP will now participate in the EMPP. The EMPP was developed to help refugees with the skills and qualifications needed in Canada immigrate through existing economic programs. The AAIP is working with the federal government to implement the pilot and supplement its annual nominations through this unique opportunity. More details on implementation will be available in the coming months. AAIP phone line A new phone number is now available to offer an additional option to contact the AAIP. Phone: 780-644-7534 AAIP staff will respond to program inquires and provide clarity on processes for clients. This compliments the existing comprehensive suite of AAIP information and contact forms available online, including the self-serve application portal which guides and updates applicants interactively.
2024-03-29 14:07:17
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program continues to help employers meet their workforce needs by nominating individuals whose occupation is in high demand and who have a parent, child or sibling who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Alberta. Having immediate relatives in Alberta provides these newcomers with the added benefit of a ready-made support system, which sets them up for success in their employment and lives in Alberta.Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sets the limits for nominations the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program can issue each year. IRCC provided 6,500 nomination certificates to Alberta for 2022, all of which were issued. A portion of the annually allocated nomination certificates are available to Alberta to use specifically for the Alberta Express Entry Stream, which includes the Accelerated Tech Pathway. The Alberta Express Entry Stream operates based on available profile information in the federal Express Entry portal.This year, a portion of Alberta Express Entry Stream draws will use the combination of high-demand occupations and immediate family ties as selection factors when completing draws from the federal Express Entry pool and inviting them to submit a completed application. This change may increase the likelihood for selection and receipt of a Notification of Interest letter under the Alberta Express Entry Stream, depending on a candidate’s primary occupation and family connection to Alberta. Candidates cannot apply to the Alberta Express Entry Stream without receiving a Notification of Interest letter from the program.There is no change to eligibility criteria in any stream of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program. This is solely an adjustment to the category-based selection factors used by the program that increase a candidate’s chances of receiving a Notification of Interest letter under the Alberta Express Entry Stream.There is no guarantee a Notification of Interest letter will be issued if selection factors are met. Notification of Interest letters and requests to apply are affected by the volume of potential candidates meeting these requirements, the type (occupation or sector) of submissions in processing queues, provincial economic immigration priorities and the number of available nominations.Information on Alberta Express Entry Stream Notification of Interest selection factors is included on the Eligibility page.
2024-03-29 14:07:17