The Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) offers fast processing for foreign workers already working for or holding a job offer from a tech industry employer in Alberta within an eligible tech occupation. The Province of Alberta is operating this stream in order to fulfill its increasing demand in the tech industry.
Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway Overview
The Alberta Accelerated Tech pathway follows as applicants are required to independently submit an interest form. If the AAIP determines that they satisfy the eligibility criteria outlined below, they will be extended an invitation to submit an application. This differs from other applicants who receive their invitations while in the Express Entry pool.
Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway Requirements
- You should have the minimum requirements outlined in the Alberta Express Entry Stream.
- Additionally, you are engaged in full-time employment within Alberta under an employment contract or should have a legitimate job offer for full-time work based in Alberta. Full-time employment is defined as a minimum of 30 hours per week and should be documented through a signed agreement between you and your employer.
- This agreement must adhere to the job offer and current employment contract criteria specified in the Assessment criteria.
- Furthermore, the occupation in the job offer should be on the list of eligible Accelerated Tech Pathway occupations.
- The employing Alberta-based organization must primarily operate within the Alberta tech industry, as defined by the AAIP list of eligible North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes.
- The primary occupation specified in your Express Entry profile must align with the occupation either currently held in Alberta or covered by your job offer.
- The base minimum wage or salary associated with the employment must meet the provincial minimum wage requirements.
- Additionally, it should either meet or exceed the required outlined in your Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) of lowest starting wage for your occupation across all industries in Alberta.
Please note that non-wage compensation, such as benefits from company ownership, is not considered part of the applicant’s base monetary wage or salary.
Individuals falling into the following categories are ineligible to apply for or be nominated under the Accelerated Tech Pathway, even if they are employed by an eligible Alberta employer in a qualifying tech occupation or possess a job offer for 30 hours or more per week over a period of 12 months or longer:
- Part-time, casual, or seasonal employees, regardless of their weekly working hours.
- Independent contractors or temporary agency workers.
- Employees not physically working in Alberta, this include online work from outside Alberta.
List of Occupations
Applicants must either be currently employed in one of the 38 tech occupations recognized as in-demand by the AAIP or possess a job offer from an Alberta employer affiliated with an eligible tech industry.
NOC code | Occupation |
---|---|
00012 | Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services |
10011 | Human resources managers |
10022 | Advertising, marketing and public relations manager |
10030 | Telecommunication carriers manager |
11200 | Human resources professionals |
11202 | Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations |
12101 | Human resources and recruitment officers |
20010 | Engineering managers |
20011 | Architecture and science managers |
20012 | Computer and information systems managers |
21210 | Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries |
21211 | Data scientists |
21220 | Cybersecurity specialists |
21221 | Business system specialists |
21222 | Information systems specialists |
21233 | Web designers |
21223 | Database analysts and data administrators |
21231 | Software engineers and designers |
21230 | Computer systems developers and programmers |
21232 | Software developers and programmers |
21234 | Web developers and programmers |
21300 | Civil engineers |
21301 | Mechanical engineers |
21310 | Electrical and electronics engineers |
21311 | Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) |
22110 | Biological technologists and technicians |
22212 | Drafting technologists and technicians |
22220 | Computer network and web technicians |
22221 | User support technicians |
22222 | Information systems testing technicians |
22301 | Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians |
22302 | Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians |
22310 | Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians |
32120 | Medical laboratory technologists |
32129 | Other medical technologists and technicians |
33101 | Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations |
41402 | Business development officers and market researchers and analysts |
50011 | Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts |
51120 | Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations |
52120 | Graphic designers and illustrators |
60010 | Corporate sales managers |
72200 | Electricians (except industrial and power system) |
72201 | Industrial electricians |
72205 | Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians |
How to Apply?
- To start the application process for this pathway, foreign nationals must confirm their eligibility by ensuring they meet the industry or National Occupation Classification (NOC) code requirements for one of the 38 in-demand occupations.
- Once a candidate passes the eligibility, individuals can begin their application by submitting details of their Express Entry profile, job offer, and employer to the AAIP.
- Alberta will then assess the provided details and extend invitations to eligible candidates to apply for provincial nomination.
- Applicants under the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway experience an expedited processing timeline for their Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) application.
- Upon a successful nomination, candidates will be invited to accept the provincial nomination on their Express Entry profile, resulting in the addition of 600 points to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
- These extra points significantly enhance the likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence through the Express Entry system.
FAQ
How do you qualify for the accelerated tech pathway in Alberta?
You should meet the minimum requirements outlined in the Alberta Express Entry Stream and have job offer for full-time work in the Alberta tech industry.
What is Alberta accelerated tech pathway processing time?
The average processing time for Alberta’s accelerated tech pathway is nine months.
What are the Alberta accelerated tech pathway occupation list?
A total of 38 occupations are in Alberta accelerated tech pathway, you can find the list here.