fbpx
Express Entry

As of August 12, 2024, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program has devised a scheme to help individuals who have lost an employer due to the evacuations that took place in several communities across Alberta, caused by the wildfires in the region.

Earlier in July, the AAIP set out guidelines for applicants who were affected by the wildfires, giving them a year to demonstrate that they will continue to meet the AIIP requirements for job offers in Alberta and work experience requirements to relocate to the province.

The temporary measures to combat the effects of the wildfire on applicants will be in force between July 19, 2024 to November 30, 2024.

Open work permit issued

In the new update from the AAIP, the program will take special steps to ensure that those who have lost their employers due to the fire will not be constrained by the impact this loss will have on their work permit documentation.

To facilitate the transition between a work permit that is attached to an employer and the loss of the same employer, AAIP will change its program requirements and accept the temporarily issued work permit as a qualifying document for the program.

What immigration streams to Alberta does this work permit change affect?

There are several provincial immigration programs in Alberta that require a work permit.

The programs that will be impacted include:

Open work permits issued during the temporary measure period will now be accepted under this program.

There is no work permit requirement for:

  • Rural Renewal
  • Express Entry streams

These streams, therefore, will not be affected by the temporary change in work permit issuance.

What is the Alberta Tourism and Hospitality stream?

This program is aimed at temporary foreign workers who have experience working in the tourism and hospitality sector in Alberta.

This program requires candidates to have a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

To qualify for this stream, you must also:

For a full list of eligible occupations, sectors, and NOC codes, visit alberta.ca’s guide.

Leave a comment