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Effective February 15, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has suspended processing of applications for the Alberta Opportunity Stream until further notice.
AAIP said the pause will give the province time to “address current inventory issues and focus limited immigration nominations on priorities such as filling positions in health care, technology, construction, agriculture, tourism and hospitality, and other in-demand industries.” There’s a labor shortage.”
The province will continue to evaluate all applications for the Alberta Opportunity Stream submitted before February 15 and said it will take steps to “manage future application volumes in line with program priorities and maintain reasonable service standards across streams.”
Find out if you are eligible to apply for Canadian immigration
AAIP’s Alberta Opportunity Stream is targeted at temporary foreign workers who are currently working full-time in the province with a valid Canadian work permit and have a full-time job offer from an Alberta employer. Post-graduation work permit holders may also be eligible.
Ontario launches new PNP category for tourism and hospitality industries
On March 1, AAIP launched a new process for “individuals who have been working in the tourism and hospitality industry for at least six months and meet the criteria to settle permanently in Alberta.”
In addition, candidates must have “a valid full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an approved employer in an appropriate industry.”
A recent report from the Alberta government says the stream will help address shortages across the industry and help businesses across the province, including those in rural areas, retain workers and the economy.
The province said it will accept a limited number of applications and expedite processing within other priority programs. More details are expected to be released on March 1.
Alberta is one of Canada’s most popular tourist destinations. According to provincial government data, 32 million people will travel to the province in 2022, generating $10.7 billion in spending.
Immigrate to Alberta
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program is a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) used by the Government of Alberta to select economic immigration candidates who may successfully establish their economic status in the province.
As with all PNPs, there are multiple streams to select candidates with different demand attributes. For example, the province has PNP categories for skilled workers in specific occupations such as health care or agriculture. It also offers a PNP stream to people and entrepreneurs working in rural communities within the province.
Through the PNP, provinces receive a specific number of nominations that can be released throughout the year. In 2023, Alberta issued 9,750 nominations to AAIP candidates. The province said it has not yet confirmed the number of nominations allocated for 2024, but according to the Federal Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026, Canada will welcome 110,000 new immigrants through the PNP before the end of this year.
Find out if you are eligible to apply for Canadian immigration
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