Alberta’s goal of becoming a technology hub may be facilitated by a new permanent resident pathway for tech workers recently announced. On January 13, 2022, the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) unveiled the Accelerated Tech Pathway program.
The Accelerated Tech Pathway program allows expedited processing of provincial nomination certificates for foreign workers who are currently working for, or have a job offer with, an Alberta-based tech industry employer in one of 38 eligible technology occupations. Candidates can use these provincial nomination certificates to then apply for permanent residence.
The Accelerated Tech Pathway program is part of an already existing program, the AINP’s Express Entry program. To take part in this new opportunity, the first step is for a candidate to submit the Accelerated Tech Pathway Form to the AINP program.
To be eligible for selection under the new program, candidates must have an active Express Entry profile. Express Entry is an online system that manages applications made through Canada’s three federal skilled worker programs (Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Workers and Federal Skilled Trades). When filling out a profile, the candidate can select Alberta as a destination of interest.
As well as meeting the criteria for at least one of the three skilled worker programs noted above, there are other criteria that must be met by the interested candidate including:
- A minimum score of 300 points under Express Entry’s Comprehensive Ranking System;
- The candidate must be working full-time in Alberta or have a job offer for full-time employment based in Alberta (full-time is a minimum 30 hours per week);
- The candidate’s occupation must be an occupation on the list of eligible Accelerated Tech Pathway occupations (see here: https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/lbr-ainp-tech-pilot-NOCs-codes-list.pdf)
- The employment or job offer must be from an Alberta employer that is part of the Alberta tech industry as defined by the AINP; and
- The primary occupation in a candidates’ Express Entry profile is the same occupation as their current Alberta employment or job offer.
Candidates cannot apply directly to the new Accelerated Tech Pathway program. After a candidate submits the Accelerated Tech Pathway Form, it will be reviewed. If the criteria for the program is met, the candidate will be invited to submit an application for nomination to the program.
If a candidate’s application is successful, they will receive an additional 600 points in their Express Entry profile. The addition of these 600 points will likely result in the candidate having enough points to receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence through the express entry pool.
