Alberta has announced significant changes to the way it manages Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for certain streams within the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). Starting on September 30, candidates looking to apply through one of the AAIP worker streams must now submit a Worker Expression of Interest (EOI).

To take part in this process, applicants will need to log into the AAIP portal and fill out an online form providing personal details. Once submitted, candidates will be entered into a pool of potential applicants for the Worker Stream. The good news is there are no application fees involved.

Applicants will be evaluated based on a points system, similar to the federal Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Points are awarded for various factors including education (with extra points for those educated in Alberta), language proficiency, work experience (with a preference for Alberta-based experience), age, and any family connections in the province. Those with higher scores will have a better chance of receiving a provincial nomination, with invitations sent via email.

However, the province has made it clear that individuals cannot submit a Worker EOI if they already have an active EOI or application in the system. Any existing EOIs or applications must be withdrawn before submitting a new Worker EOI. Alberta also emphasized that there’s no need to rush as the first selection draws are expected to begin in mid-to-late October.

Earlier this year, Alberta introduced changes to how it manages worker stream applications to better align with the province’s labor market needs. As of June, the province has capped the number of applications it accepts each month, only reopening once the cap is reached. This system was designed to streamline processing times and ensure Alberta stays within its 9,750 provincial nomination allocation for 2024.

The changes impact several key streams, including the Alberta Opportunity Stream, Rural Renewal Stream, Accelerated Tech Pathway, and the Tourism and Hospitality Stream. These updates aim to provide more opportunities for applicants to submit EOIs throughout the year while addressing sector-specific labor shortages in fields like healthcare, technology, agriculture, and construction.

In fact, the Alberta Opportunity Stream saw such high demand earlier in 2024 that the province had to temporarily halt new applications between February and June. This pause allowed the AAIP to focus on clearing its backlog and prioritize industries facing critical labor shortages.