AOS reopens with a twist: AOS, Rural Renewal, Accelerated Tech and Tourism & Hospitality are now races to file
The good news is that the Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) is reopening under the Alberta PNP as of June 11, 2024.
The bad news is that, effective June 11, 2024, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is moving to a new system to manage the limited number of nomination spots it has for 2024. The Federal Government gives each Province a certain allocation of nomination spots each year. It has finally been confirmed that Alberta will get the same number of nominations that it had last year: 9,750 spots. To deal with huge demand and in an attempt to try to reduce processing times that are creeping upwards of 8 months, the AAIP seems to be turning to a new race to file system.
Which streams are NOT affected?
Alberta Express Entry Stream (non Tech Pathway)
Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
Farm Stream
Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
Program eligibility for the above programs remains the same and people can submit applications at any time if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Keep in mind that Alberta Express Entry Stream draws are managed just like before. People who are eligible for an AB PNP EE draw have to have a valid Federal EE profile and usually must have a CRS score over 305 and be working in a Dedicated Healthcare Pathway with an Alberta based job offer or in another Priority Sector with an Alberta job offer. The AAIP then decides to whom to issue a nomination and only about 100 nominations go out per month on average.
Which steams are affected?
Program eligibility has not changed even for the streams that are affected. However, as of June 11, 2024, applicants in the streams below can no longer simply submit their Alberta PNP applications and hope to have them processed by the AAIP. AAIP will implement a new system for the following 4 programs:
AOS
Rural Renewal Stream
Accelerated Tech Pathway under EE
Tourism& Hospitality
How will it work?
The AAIP has not yet released full details on how their new intake system will work but they have said the system will only accept applications, up to a maximum number of applications depending on the stream, on certain days. Once the monthly target is reached, no other applications in these streams will be accepted until the next date.
The key dates are: June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10, October 8, November 5, and December 10 so mark them in your calendars and be prepared with absolutely everything before you try to submit your application.
It does definitely look like the AAIP is setting this up to be a race to file each month on the appointed day. Only the first few applications that squeak in will be considered in the pool, and even then, there is no guarantee of a nomination. AAIP has said, “Check back regularly as details may change without prior notice, based on multiple variables.”
How many spots open on which days?
Here is what AAIP has posted:
IMPORTANT
Draws for other pathways and priorities are managed differently through the Notification of Interest process. Learn more by visiting the Eligibility page for information on Alberta Express Entry Stream Notification of Interest processes.
Important questions we have asked and to which we await answers
Will people be able to see how many spots are left before they pay their $500 application fee?
Will the system still allow people to pay the application fee if AAIP has reached the allocations of spots that day?
Will fees be refunded?
At what exact time will the system open (in Mountain time or UTC)?
If a person manages to submit an application on the day it opens by racing to file and by paying the application fee, will their application be assessed?
If you need immigration legal advice
We are happy to help you navigate the new twists and turns of the AAIP. Please book a consult so we can speak with you about your eligibility and your options for permanent residence and whether you can maintain your work permit throughout your PNP application.
Continue Reading
About the author:
Alicia Backman-Beharry
Canadian Immigration Lawyer