Alberta Express Entry stream will consider family under its selection criteria. On January 18, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, a part of the Alberta PNP added another aspect to the eligibility requirement for Alberta Express Entry. Furthermore, Express Entry candidates with immediate relatives having permanent residency or Canadian citizenship will now be eligible to fulfill the selection criteria.
Moreover, this will enable candidates to obtain notification of interest under the Alberta Express Entry stream. Next, they might even receive an invitation to apply for PR.
Essentially, a candidate’s eligibility will depend upon the profile information of the candidates in the federal Express Entry pool.
Alberta province supports the idea of having immediate family connections. They are substantial in enabling newcomers to settle in the province.
Alberta Express Entry stream
Notably, for the AAIP, the selection criteria remain the same. However, the latest update of this program is only essential for the Alberta Express Entry stream.
The update is only related to the addition under the selection criteria without further influencing any other eligibility factors. These factors could be related to an employment offer from an Alberta company or post-secondary education in an Alberta institute.
The Minister of Trade Immigration and Multiculturalism stated that this addition is not a measure for family reunification.
Due to this recent change in this stream, it will now distribute at least 25 percent of NOIs to those with immediate family connections in Alberta. It will also include individuals having an in-demand occupation specifically the ones the province seeks workers for.
The AAIP is responsible for combating Alberta’s labor shortages. Additionally, the province underwent considerable growth, with 41,000 new jobs in December 2022. Also, most of these jobs fell under the private sector. Alberta also experienced an increased number of vacancies, around 100,000. However, it is predicted that by 2025, there might be a shortage of around 33,000 workers in various occupations and sectors. These are a few chief reasons due to there’s focus on inviting more newcomers to Alberta.
Defining the AAIP and Alberta Express Entry Stream
Alberta comprises a provincial immigration program called the AAIP, which is responsible for inviting new immigrants to Alberta from abroad. However, the program currently handles eight streams for categories, including workers’ stream and stream for Entrepreneurs.
The Stream for Workers consists of the following:
- The Alberta Express Entry Stream including Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway
- The Alberta Opportunity Stream
- The Rural Renewal Stream
Its eligibility
Candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria under this stream:
- They must possess an active profile in the pool of federal Express Entry. It must have a validity of five months.
- Must also express interest in permanently settling in the province.
- Hold a minimum CRS score of 300.
- Work experience (previous or current) in an in-demand profession. This specific occupation must help in the economic growth of the province as well as diversification.
Other eligibility factors
Candidates have increased chances of obtaining an ITA under the following conditions:
- Possessing a valid employment offer or work experience in Alberta.
- Graduation in an Alberta post-secondary institution.
- Having a child, parent, or sibling living in the province with Canadian citizenship and Permanent Residence.
Candidates will need to submit an Express Entry profile to the federal pool. Additionally, if they receive a notification, they must proceed with the document’s copy and also express their interest in applying for it.
If supposedly, the candidates fulfill the essential eligibility criteria, they will be invited to apply for the program. After this email, they will need to submit the application and this will further add 600 CRS points. Next, all accurate applications will remain under processing among other eligible applications in the pool.
Minister Sawhney stated that the changes in the stream are the government’s initiative to ensure that Alberta is able to get the skilled candidates it requires.
