Alberta’s immigration minister announced the launch of a new fast-track immigration program designed to attract tech workers to the province.
Alberta introduces a new immigration program in 2022
New expedited immigration program targets Express Entry candidates who work in the tech industry
On January 13, 2022, Tyler Shandro, Alberta’s immigration minister announced the launch of a new fast-track immigration program designed to attract tech workers to the province.
While the announcement was only made last week, the province has been accepting applications under the new program since December 2021.
With over 3,000 tech companies in Alberta, the province is facing a growing need for talent, experience, and expertise in the tech industry, and this pathway is the perfect way to recruit the ideal candidate.
The average processing time of an Express Entry application is approximately nine months. This new pathway will allow tech professionals (both in and out of Canada) with a job offer in an in-demand tech occupation, to get their permanent residency in six months or less.
How to apply for the Accelerated Tech Pathway
In order to qualify for this pathway, candidates must first be eligible for the Alberta Express Entry stream.
Candidates are required to create a profile in the Express Entry system and be eligible for one of the three main immigration programs: Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Once the candidate meets the eligibility criteria, they will need to complete the form for the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP).
The Tech Pathway requires candidates to have a job offer in hand, or be working for a company based in Alberta at the time of application. The job offer or current employment needs to be in one of the province’s 23 eligible occupations.
A candidate’s eligibility is determined by the AINP. Once they go through your application, they will decide whether the criteria for the Alberta Express Entry stream have been met. At this point, an email will be sent to the candidate inviting them to apply for a provincial nomination.
After the candidate applies, the applications go into a pool and are considered for a provincial nomination.
If a nomination is offered, the applicant will be given 30 days to accept it. The offer is accepted online through the Express Entry profile. At this point, an additional 600 points are added to their current Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) making them eligible for draws held by IRCC.
Alberta hasn’t provided details on how often draws will be held under the new pathway.