Maple News reports that the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has wrapped up 2024 with notable successes, marking an impactful year for immigration in the province. Alberta exceeded its federal nomination allocation and introduced new initiatives to attract and retain skilled foreign talent.
Throughout the year, AAIP issued a total of 9,942 nominations for permanent residency—surpassing its original allotment of 9,750. Of these nominations, more than 85% were awarded to temporary foreign workers (TFWs) already contributing to Alberta’s economy. The strong focus on supporting TFWs reflects the province’s commitment to helping these individuals transition to permanent residency and fill long-term labor market needs.
Under a Temporary Public Policy geared toward prospective Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, AAIP assessed 924 applications from individuals with expiring work permits. As part of this measure, the program issued 777 work permit support letters, allowing these individuals to remain employed in Alberta while their nomination cases are being processed—likely in 2025 or 2026.
In response to significant population growth and labor shortages in key sectors, Alberta introduced notable changes to its immigration framework. On February 13, the province launched a new immigration stream specifically targeting the tourism and hospitality industry. This dedicated pathway aims to address staffing gaps in a crucial sector still recovering from the pandemic and facing seasonal labor demands.
Additionally, Alberta expanded its immigration system by implementing a new Expression of Interest (EOI) process. This restructuring intends to improve the transparency and efficiency of the selection process, allowing for better alignment with labor market priorities.
The province also enacted temporary policy measures to support individuals impacted by natural disasters, such as wildfires, ensuring the continuity of immigration processing and support for vulnerable workers.
Maple News notes that Alberta’s approach demonstrates a strategic blend of responsiveness and innovation in immigration policy. These developments not only reflect the province’s dynamic economic needs but also underscore the essential role immigrants play in sustaining growth and community resilience.
As Alberta continues to fine-tune its immigration programs in 2025, foreign workers and prospective applicants can expect more targeted pathways and faster processing times tailored to both individual and provincial goals.