New AAIP Update: The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) will implement a new Expression of Interest (EOI) system on September 30, 2024, to streamline its selection process.
This update is intended to improve efficiency and better match the immigration process with Alberta’s labour market needs.
Under the EOI system, candidates will express their interest in immigrating to Alberta through a points-based mechanism.
Once an EOI is submitted, candidates will join a selection pool, akin to the Express Entry pool.
At regular intervals, the AAIP will select the highest-ranking candidates from this pool who meet the province’s labour market demands and invite them to apply for immigration.
Highlights of the New EOI System
Continuous Intake: The new EOI system accepts and processes EOIs continuously, unlike the old system with fixed application dates and quotas. Candidates can express their interest at any time, without waiting for specific dates.
Ranking and Selection: We evaluate and rank candidates based on their skills, work experience, and potential to meet the province’s economic needs. Higher-ranked candidates are more likely to receive invitations to apply.
Labor Market Focus: We designed the selection process to closely align with labor market requirements, ensuring the province attracts individuals who can significantly contribute to its economy.
Transition to the New System
With the launch of the EOI system, we will discontinue the remaining monthly application acceptance dates for 2024. This change ensures a smooth transition to the new system, enabling us to continuously intake and process EOIs.
Application Intake Summary
| Application Acceptance Opening Date | Alberta Opportunity Stream | Rural Renewal Stream | Tourism and Hospitality Stream |
| June 11, 2024 | 430 | 142 | 134 |
| July 9, 2024 | N/A | 154 | 143 |
| July 11, 2024 | 441 | N/A | N/A |
Effects on Prospective Immigrants
The new EOI system aims to be more flexible and responsive, which could shorten waiting times for candidates and better match Alberta’s labor market needs.
Here’s what to expect:
- Increased Efficiency: With continuous intake, the program can handle applications more effectively, leading to faster processing times.
- Targeted Selection: Candidates with skills and experience in high-demand areas have a better chance of being selected, aligning with Alberta’s economic needs.
- Transparency and Fairness: The points-based system makes the selection process clear and fair, ranking candidates based on their qualifications.
Preparing for the New System
If you’re looking to settle in Alberta, get ready for the new EOI system by:
- Understanding the Points Criteria: Learn about the factors that affect your ranking, including work experience, education, language skills, and adaptability.
- Enhancing Your Profile: Boost your chances of being selected by improving your qualifications, gaining more work experience, or enhancing your language skills.
- Staying Informed: Keep up with the latest updates from the AAIP to stay aware of Alberta’s changing labor market needs and how they could impact your application.
The introduction of the new EOI system on September 30, 2024, represents a major step forward for Alberta’s immigration program.
This new system enables continuous intake and focuses on selecting candidates based on labor market needs, with the goal of attracting skilled individuals who can support the province’s economic development.
Prospective immigrants should actively prepare by understanding and adapting to the new system, improving their profiles to boost their chances of receiving an invitation to apply.
With this update, Alberta reaffirms its commitment to welcoming skilled immigrants and promoting a vibrant, thriving economy.
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