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Alberta Holds New Healthcare Draw Under the AAIP: What You Need to Know
On September 4, 2024, Alberta made an important update regarding its Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), focusing on healthcare professionals and other key sectors. This comes as part of Alberta’s ongoing efforts to streamline immigration pathways and address labor shortages in crucial industries. With the healthcare sector in high demand, the new Dedicated Healthcare Pathway stands out, offering opportunities for skilled workers to immigrate to Alberta and contribute to the province’s workforce.
Key Updates from the AAIP
As of the most recent update, Alberta is managing a variety of streams under the AAIP, including the Alberta Opportunity Stream, Rural Renewal Stream, and Alberta Express Entry Stream. These pathways offer different options for immigrants based on their skills, qualifications, and the province’s labor market needs.
Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the key numbers as of September 4, 2024:
2,455 Alberta Opportunity Stream applications are currently being processed.
1,802 applications are under the Rural Renewal Stream.
8 applications fall under the Tourism and Hospitality Stream.
694 Alberta Express Entry Stream applications are in the system.
In terms of healthcare, Alberta is taking specific action to attract healthcare professionals. On August 27, 2024, the province invited 41 candidates under the Dedicated Healthcare Pathway, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 302. This is part of Alberta’s larger initiative to bolster its healthcare workforce, which has been a growing priority in recent years. So far in 2024, Alberta has invited 873 candidates through the AAIP Express Entry streams.
Alberta’s 2024 Nominations Breakdown
In 2024, Alberta received 9,750 nominations from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These nominations are distributed across different streams to meet the province’s economic and labor needs. The largest share of nominations went to the Alberta Opportunity Stream, which has issued 4,062 nominations so far. Other notable streams include:
1,609 nominations under the Express Entry Stream.
402 nominations for the Dedicated Healthcare Pathways.
931 nominations under the Accelerated Tech Pathway.
1,394 nominations under the Rural Renewal Stream.
This distribution reflects Alberta’s focus on attracting talent in high-demand industries like healthcare and technology, while also supporting rural communities and other critical sectors.
What Is the Dedicated Healthcare Pathway?
The Dedicated Healthcare Pathway is a specialized stream within the AAIP designed to address Alberta’s growing demand for healthcare workers. This pathway invites skilled professionals in healthcare occupations, offering them a faster route to permanent residency. Candidates are selected based on their CRS scores and must have a valid job offer in Alberta. The recent draw on August 27, 2024, invited candidates with scores of 302 or higher, highlighting the competitive nature of the program.
If you’re a healthcare professional considering a move to Alberta, the Dedicated Healthcare Pathway could be an excellent opportunity to secure permanent residency while contributing to one of the province’s most vital sectors.
Alberta’s New Expression of Interest System
A significant change coming soon to the AAIP is the launch of a new expression of interest (EOI) system, set to go live on September 30, 2024. This system will replace the previous monthly application acceptance dates with an ongoing intake process. Here’s how it will work:
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Candidates will submit their EOIs online, providing details about their qualifications and work experience.
Ranking in a Pool: Once submitted, candidates will be placed in a selection pool and ranked according to various criteria.
Invitation to Apply: Based on Alberta’s labor market needs, the highest-ranking candidates will be invited to apply for immigration under the AAIP.
This new system promises to be more flexible and responsive to the province’s needs, allowing for continuous assessment of candidates and faster processing times.
Application Processing Times and Volumes
As of September 4, 2024, Alberta is processing 4,974 unprocessed applications across all AAIP streams. The table below outlines the current application volumes and the dates on which applications were received:
| Stream | Unprocessed Applications | Currently Assessing Applications Received On or Before |
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | 2,455 | December 19, 2023 |
| Alberta Express Entry Stream | 694 | N/A |
| Dedicated Healthcare Pathway | N/A | August 3, 2024 |
| Rural Renewal Stream | 1,802 | February 14, 2024 |
| Tourism and Hospitality Stream | 8 | July 9, 2024 |
For those in the Entrepreneur Stream, processing times vary depending on the stage of the application, but generally, it takes up to four months to assess an expression of interest or a business application.
Accelerated Tech Pathway: A Growing Opportunity
For professionals in the tech industry, Alberta’s Accelerated Tech Pathway continues to provide a fast-track route to immigration. As of September 4, 2024, there are 444 web form submissions in the pool, and invitations are being sent based on submission dates. This pathway targets high-demand tech occupations and aims to meet the province’s growing need for skilled workers in technology.
The recent updates to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program reflect the province’s commitment to addressing its labor needs in healthcare, technology, and rural communities. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a tech worker, or someone looking to make a new life in Alberta, the AAIP offers various pathways to permanent residency.
With the new expression of interest system launching soon, Alberta is positioning itself as a top destination for skilled immigrants. If you’re considering immigration to Alberta, now is the time to explore your options under the AAIP and take advantage of the opportunities available in 2024.
