Alberta has launched a new immigration scheme for tech employees
Alberta’s new expedited immigration program may be eligible for Express Entry candidates who work in the computer industry
New fast-track immigration programs for computer workers are being implemented in Alberta.
Tyler Shandro, Alberta’s Minister of Immigration, introduced the Accelerated Tech Pathway on January 13. Applications for the new program were already being accepted by the government as early as December.
The federal government’s Express Entry system and the Alberta Express Entry Stream must be met in order for a tech professional to be eligible.
Although Express Entry procedures averaged nine months in 2020, the new pathway allows IT, experts, from throughout Canada and abroad to become permanent residents within six months if they have a job opportunity in an in-demand tech industry occupation,” Shandro said.
A letter of support from the Government of Alberta will be sent to IT professionals who need a work permit in addition to priority application processing.”
According to the Alberta Enterprise Corporation, there are over 3,000 technological enterprises in Alberta. According to the 2021 Alberta Technology Deal Flow Study, the province’s tech sector has risen by 233% since 2012. However, tech firms still have difficulty finding employees, particularly in the areas of sales and technical expertise.
Applications for the Accelerated Technology Pathway can be found here
To be considered for accelerated processing under the Accelerated Tech Pathway, you must first be qualified for the Alberta Express Entry Stream. The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) carries three steps:
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The first step is to apply for an Express Entry profile.
To begin, you must be accepted into the Express Entry system’s pool of potential workers. Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, or Federal Skilled Trades Program eligibility is required to apply for a work visa.
You must fill out an online application for the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program in order to apply for the Accelerated Technology Pathway (AINP). You can use the form to convey data about your Express Entry profile and your Alberta tech employment.
Express Entry candidates must have a job offer or be currently employed by an Alberta-based employer in an approved occupation in order to be allowed for the tech track. Listed in alphabetical order by their National Occupational Classification (NOC) code are the following 23 professions:
- 0013 Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services
- 0112 Human resources managers
- 0131 Telecommunication carriers manager
- 0211 Engineering managers
- 0212 Architecture and science managers
- 0213 Computer and information systems managers
- 0512 Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
- 0601 Corporate sales managers
- 1123 Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations
- 1121 Human resources professionals
- 1223 Human resources and recruitment officers
- 2131 Civil engineers
- 2132 Mechanical engineers
- 2133 Electrical and electronics engineers
- 2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
- 2161 Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries
- 2171 Information systems analysts and consultants
- 2172 Database analysts and data administrators
- 2173 Software engineers and designers
- 2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers
- 2175 Web designers and developers
- 2221 Biological technologists and technicians
- 2232 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- 2233 Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
- 2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- 2253 Drafting technologists and technicians 2281 Computer network technicians
- 2282 User support technicians
- 2283 Information systems testing technicians
- 3211 Medical laboratory technologists
- 3212 Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists’ assistants
- 3219 Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health)
- 4163 Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants
- 5131 Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
- 5241 Graphic designers and illustrators
- 7241 Electricians (except industrial and power system)
- 7242 Industrial electricians
- 7246 Telecommunications installation and repair workers
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Your eligibility is determined by AINP.
To ensure that you are eligible for the Alberta Express Entry Stream, the AINP conducts a background check. To apply for a provincial nomination, the AINP will send an e-mail to your email address. A nomination from a separate AINP stream can’t be used to apply unless this invitation is received.
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Apply
Once you receive an email from Alberta inviting you to take the assessment, you must decide if you match the requirements. For up to five years, the AINP could bar you from reapplying if they detect fraud or misstatement in an application.
A group of eligible applicants is created when a completed application is submitted. These applications are reviewed by the AINP and may be eligible for provincial nomination.
If you are nominated by Alberta, you have 30 days to approve the nomination using your Express Entry online profile. Your Express Entry score will be boosted by 600 CRS points as a result.
However, being nominated into the Express Entry system does not guarantee you will be granted permanent residence status. Once you get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in an Express Entry draw from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), you can begin the process of applying for permanent residence.