Immigration Announcement
New Alberta Immigration Stream for the Tourism Sector is Opening Soon
In a significant move towards addressing employment shortages and fostering economic growth, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is set to introduce a new stream dedicated to the province’s tourism and hospitality sectors. Commencing on March 1, 2024, the Tourism and Hospitality Stream aims to attract skilled workers to Alberta Immigration.
Alberta Immigration in 2024
This innovative stream seeks to fortify and expand Alberta’s economy by enabling companies in the tourism and hospitality sectors to efficiently recruit and retain essential labor.
To be eligible:
- Applicants must secure a legitimate full-time, non-seasonal employment offer from an authorized company in the industry.
- Additionally, candidates with at least six months of experience working for a tourist or hospitality company and meeting the permanent establishment requirements in Alberta can apply for this stream.
Priority Processing for Application
As part of its commitment to supporting priority sectors, the Alberta immigration department pledges to expedite the processing of applications under the Tourism and Hospitality Stream. This strategic move ensures a quick and responsive approach to addressing the immediate needs of the industry, contributing to its overall resilience and sustainability.
Temporary Pause in Alberta Opportunity Stream Application
In light of the program’s focus on critical sectors, the AAIP has temporarily suspended the Alberta Opportunity Stream application process. This pause allows the program to assess its current inventory and align immigration nominations with pressing needs in high-demand industries, including healthcare, technology, construction, agriculture, tourism, and hospitality.
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program Overview
The AAIP, Alberta’s economic immigration initiative, plays a pivotal role in attracting and retaining skilled workers and business owners. Through various pathways, including the Alberta Express Entry Stream, Accelerated Tech Pathway for Express Entry, and several others, the program aligns with federal efforts to address labor market gaps in the province.
To provide a comprehensive understanding, here are some of the pathways under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program for permanent residency:
- Alberta Express Entry Stream
- Accelerated Tech Pathway for Express Entry
- Alberta Opportunity Stream (Temporarily paused)
- Religious Workers Eligibility Program
- Rural Renewal Stream
- Rural Entrepreneur Stream
- Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
- Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
Jobs in Alberta’s Tourism Sector
The Tourism and Hospitality Stream under the AAIP is poised to play a pivotal role in alleviating labor shortages and supporting Alberta’s tourism and hospitality companies. As a province that attracted 32 million visitors in 2022, generating $10.7 billion in revenue and sustaining over 80,000 jobs in Alberta, this sector signifies a robust strategy to fuel economic growth.
Come March 1, 2024, as the AAIP opens its doors to applications, detailed information about AAIP requirements and the application process will be made available. The launch of this new immigration stream not only highlights Alberta’s aim for its economic development but also signals a welcoming opportunity for skilled workers to contribute to and thrive in the province’s flourishing tourism and hospitality industry.
