As of August 12, 2024, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program has devised a scheme to help People 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 Make sure 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:
- Live and work in an eligible sector or occupation in Alberta
- Have a minimum of six months of full-time (30 hours a week) of experience when you apply.
- Be able to show that you have secured a job offer in Alberta.
- You must not be a seasonal employee or an independent contractor.
- You must have a score of 4 or more in English or French through the following tests:
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General Test
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training Test
- Test d’évaluation de français Canada (TEF Canada)
- Test de connaissance du français Canada (TCF Canada)
- You may need to show an Educational Credential Assessment.
For a full list of eligible occupations, sectors, and NOC codes, visit alberta.ca’s guide.
