Alberta introduces accelerated tech immigration pathway to permanent residence in Canada

Alberta has introduced the “Accelerated Tech Pathway” in efforts to fuel its Recovery Plan and to become the most attractive province for the emerging technology sector to thrive. This pathway is Alberta’s latest pilot under the Alberta Immigration Nominee Program (“AINP”), a federal-provincial program where individuals who meet the stream-specific requirements are nominated for permanent residence in Alberta.

According to the Alberta Technology Deal Flow Study published by the Alberta Enterprise Corporation, the technology industry in Alberta has grown 233% since 2012. With an increasing demand for highly skilled workers in this growing industry, Alberta has developed an Accelerated Tech Pathway for Permanent Residence to help meet the demand for foreign tech talent that is surging from more than 3,000 Albertan tech-companies. The government foresees that the program will also draw more investment in the tech-sector in the province and increase opportunities for all Albertans.

With an estimated 6-month processing time, the Tech Pathway will provide a fast track to permanent residence for highly skilled tech professionals, from across Canada and abroad, who want to live and work in Alberta. The Government of Alberta will also provide a provincial letter of support for nominated candidates residing abroad, which they can then use to apply for a work permit.

Tech professionals interested in this stream will need to have an active Express Entry profile and be employed, or have a job offer, with an Alberta tech employer in an eligible tech occupation. The candidate must then provide the details on their Express Entry profile and employment information through the Accelerated Tech Pathway Form. Once the AINP determines the minimum eligibility criteria has been met, candidates will receive an invitation to apply for nomination.

The minimum eligibility requirements are the following:

• Having an active Express Entry profile in the federal Express Entry pool with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 300.
  • Express Entry Profile must not be expiring in 3 months or less.
• Working full-time in Alberta or having a job offer for full-time employment based in Alberta.
  • Full-time is defined as a minimum of 30 hours per week.
• The employment or job offer must be:
  • In the same occupation as the primary occupation in your Express Entry profile;
  • In the list of eligible Accelerated Tech Pathway occupations; and
  • For an employer that is part of the Alberta tech industry as defined by the AINP list of eligible North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes
    • If working at a home-base business in Alberta, employer must be authorized to operate that business location from a personal residence.

As experienced Canadian and US immigration lawyers, we can help you with your immigration needs. If you are a highly skilled professional interested in living and working in Alberta or an employer in the tech sector considering this new tech pilot program, get in touch with us at info@langfordlaw.com.