Alberta’s New Expression of Interest (EOI) System for AAIP

Alberta has just rolled out a big change in how it chooses skilled workers for immigration. Starting September 30, 2024, the province is using a new system called Expression of Interest (EOI) for its Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) worker streams. This new approach aims to make it easier for Alberta to find the right workers for its job market.

Under this new system, people who want to move to Alberta for work need to fill out an online form on the AAIP website. This form is like raising your hand to say, “I’m interested in moving to Alberta.” The good news is that it doesn’t cost anything to submit this form.

Key Points of the Alberta’s New EOI System

• Candidates provide information about themselves in the Worker EOI form.
• There is no fee to submit a Worker EOI.
• This is done through an online form in the AAIP portal.
• Each EOI is scored and ranked using the Worker EOI points grid.
• Successful submissions are placed into the Worker Stream pool for consideration.

Affected Programs

This method was intended to provide applicants with multiple opportunities to apply throughout the year. However, the demand proved to be exceptionally high, particularly for the Alberta Opportunity Stream, leading to a pause in accepting applications between February and June 2024.

The Need for Change

The pause in the Alberta Opportunity Stream was deemed necessary to allow the AAIP to address its existing inventory and focus its limited immigration nominations on priority sectors. These included healthcare, technology, construction, agriculture, tourism and hospitality, and other in-demand fields experiencing labour shortages.

Selection Process for AAIP Streams

• The AAIP will conduct regular draws from the Worker Stream pool.
• Selections are based on:
  • Candidate EOI score rankings
  • Provincial labour market needs and priorities
  • Available AAIP nominations
  • Current application levels
• Selected candidates will receive an email invitation to apply.

The new system launches on September 30, 2024, at 10 am. However, the first draws won’t happen until mid or late October 2024. There’s no rush to submit immediately on the launch date.

Preparing Your AAIP Application

To get ready for submitting your Worker EOI, take these steps:

1. Check if you meet the eligibility requirements for AAIP worker streams.
2. Review the Worker EOI points grid to understand how you’ll be scored.
3. Consider your existing AAIP applications or Entrepreneur EOIs:
   • You can only have one Worker EOI at a time.
   • You must withdraw any existing applications or EOIs before creating a new Worker EOI.
4. Ensure you have a valid basic Alberta.ca Account. You can use an existing basic or verified account.

This new way of doing things is a big deal for Alberta. It means the province can be smarter about choosing immigrants based on what jobs are available. For people who want to move to Alberta, it’s important to understand how this new system works.

Need Help?

If you’re interested in moving to Alberta, this new system could be your chance. But it can be tricky to understand all the details. That’s where we at ELAAR Immigration can help. Our team, led by Keshav Sharma, a licensed immigration consultant, knows all about these new rules. We can help you figure out if you qualify, how to fill out your form to get the best score, and what other options you might have for moving to Alberta. We’ll help you in:

• Assessing your eligibility under the new criteria
• Preparing a strong application that meets updated requirements
• Understanding the implications of these changes for both students and their spouses
• Exploring alternative pathways to study, work, and live in Canada

Contact our experts today to ensure your immigration journey aligns with the latest regulations and maximizes your chances of success.