Alberta has temporarily suspended the work experience requirements for certain applicants under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP).
This temporary measure, which affects the Alberta Opportunity and Tourism and Hospitality Streams, aims to help workers impacted by the wildfires quickly find new employment.
The Government of Alberta announced that the AAIP will accept open work permits issued by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for workers in these streams who have been affected by the wildfires and are seeking new job opportunities.
The eligibility changes will be in effect from July 19, 2024, to November 30, 2024. This measure supports individuals at risk of losing their jobs due to the fires, which have impacted areas where many of Alberta’s hotels and resorts are located.
Requirements for work experience
Under normal conditions, the Tourism and Hospitality Stream requires candidates to have six consecutive months of work experience (780 hours) with their current employer.
For the Alberta Opportunity Stream, candidates usually need:
- At least 12 months of full-time work experience in their current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months, or
- At least 24 months of full-time work experience in their current occupation in Canada or abroad within the last 30 months, or a combination of both. This experience can include work performed in Alberta, elsewhere in Canada, or abroad.
Post-Graduation Work Permit holders must have at least 6 months of full-time work experience in their current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months.
Applicants using the Rural Renewal and Express Entry pathways remain unaffected by these changes, as these programs do not specify work experience requirements.
Additional support for those impacted by wildfires
IRCC introduced these changes as part of a series of special measures to assist those directly affected by the wildfires. On July 26, the Alberta government announced that affected individuals could:
- Apply for free replacements of lost, damaged, or destroyed citizenship, immigration, or travel documents (including passports).
- Extend or restore their temporary resident status and switch from an employer-specific work permit to an open work permit if they cannot continue working for their current employer.
Applicants will have one year to meet the AAIP criteria, including securing a new eligible position if they lost their jobs due to the fires.
The Alberta government stresses that all other criteria for each stream will remain in effect and will continue to monitor the situation for further updates.
Effects of wildfires on Alberta’s economy
This summer, Alberta has battled over 100 wildfires in the past month. The fires have destroyed 358 of the 1,113 structures in Jasper, and the evacuation notice was lifted only on August 17, 2024.
The wildfires have disrupted the local economy, particularly Jasper’s hospitality industry, which attracts thousands of tourists and temporary workers each year. Aiming to more than double the size of the tourism economy by 2025, the Alberta government is focusing its response on supporting the businesses and workers crucial to the hospitality sector.
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