On August 26, 2024, the Government of Alberta, in coordination with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), introduced a temporary public policy and a series of administrative updates impacting applicants to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). These changes primarily affect two AAIP streams:
- Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS)
- Rural Renewal Stream (RRS)
The primary objective of the policy is to provide legal continuity for applicants whose work permits expire(d) in 2024, ensuring their ability to remain and work in Alberta while their applications await final determination. In parallel, Alberta has initiated strategic improvements to streamline program efficiency and address regional labour needs.
I. Temporary Public Policy for Work Permit Holders with Pending or Refused AAIP Applications
Effective Date:
August 26, 2024
Policy Overview:
In response to challenges faced by AAIP applicants whose work permits expired during the 2024 calendar year, Alberta has signed a temporary public policy agreement with the federal government (IRCC). The policy allows eligible individuals to receive an AAIP-issued support letter to apply for an open work permit valid for up to two years.
This policy applies only to foreign nationals nominated (or under assessment for nomination) through AOS or RRS who meet strict eligibility conditions.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must meet one of the following:
- Pending Application + Expiring Permit:
- The applicant had a valid work permit at the time of submitting their AAIP application.
- The application remained under AAIP review as of August 26, 2024.
- The applicant’s permit is set to expire between May 7 and December 31, 2024.
- Refused Application Due to Permit Expiry:
- The applicant’s AAIP application was refused between May 7 and August 26, 2024 exclusively due to the expiration of their work permit during that time.
Important Restrictions and Procedural Notes:
- No self-application is permitted. Applicants cannot initiate the request. AAIP will independently identify eligible candidates based on internal assessment.
- AAIP will evaluate whether:
- The applicant is likely to meet the minimum eligibility requirements of the relevant AAIP stream.
- The applicant currently holds a valid job offer from an eligible Alberta employer.
- Expired Permits:
Applicants whose work permits have already expired must prove one of the following:- They have maintained valid temporary resident status (e.g., maintained status under IRPR s.183(5)); or
- They are eligible to restore their status under IRPR s.182.
- Notification Method:
Eligible candidates will be contacted directly by AAIP officers via email. The selection will be based on the work permit expiry date provided in the original AAIP application. No third-party inquiries will be accepted.
Outcome for Eligible Applicants:
- Individuals who receive a Letter of Support from AAIP will be eligible to apply to IRCC for an open work permit valid for up to 2 years.
- This work permit will enable them to lawfully remain and work in Alberta while the AAIP conducts a full re-assessment of their application. The final nomination review will occur no earlier than 2025.
Administrative Goal of the Policy:
This temporary measure enables AAIP to:
- Stabilize the status of previously ineligible or at-risk applicants;
- Focus on completing assessments for:
- Applicants whose work permits expired between January 1 and May 6, 2024, and
- Those with permits expiring in early 2025.
These efforts aim to maximize the use of remaining 2024 nomination quotas and ensure continuity in workforce integration for qualifying candidates.
II. Structural Enhancements to AAIP: August 2024 Program Adjustments
Alongside the temporary policy, Alberta announced additional program-level improvements designed to better align AAIP with labour market demands and regional development goals.
Key Enhancements:
- Increased Selection Frequency in Express Entry Stream:
- Alberta will increase the number of rounds of invitations under its Express Entry-linked stream.
- Priority will be given to candidates in targeted occupational sectors, especially:
- Health care (e.g., nurses, medical technologists, health care aides)
- Technology (e.g., software developers, IT project managers)
- Construction and trades
- Regional Focus:
- Alberta will continue to emphasize immigration to rural and smaller urban municipalities, especially those with formal Economic Development Organization (EDO) partnerships under the Rural Renewal Stream.
- This supports demographic stabilization and labour market growth in underserved regions.
- Application Prioritization:
- In addition to active re-evaluation of work permit-holders under the temporary policy, Alberta has committed to:
- Prioritizing AAIP applications associated with work permits that expired between January 1 and May 6, 2024;
- Preparing for cases where permits are due to expire in the first quarter of 2025.
- In addition to active re-evaluation of work permit-holders under the temporary policy, Alberta has committed to:
These prioritization efforts aim to reduce backlog, maintain fair assessment, and maximize 2024 allocation efficiency.
Conclusion
The August 2024 policy interventions and program refinements reflect Alberta’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of its economic immigration system while responding to administrative backlogs and permit expiry issues beyond applicants’ control.
For applicants:
- Monitor your email for communication from AAIP (including your junk/spam folder).
- Do not attempt to initiate support letter requests—AAIP will contact eligible individuals directly.
- Maintain or restore your temporary resident status to ensure compliance.
For employers and advisors:
- Ensure your sponsored foreign workers are aware of these changes.
- Support documentation (such as job offers and updated employment verification) should be readily available in case of reassessment.
Up-to-date information and official bulletins are available at:
👉 www.alberta.ca/ainp.aspx
