Maple News reports that as of February 15, the Alberta government has temporarily paused processing applications under the Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). The suspension is in place until further notice and aims to allow the province to reduce its current application backlog and focus immigration efforts on critical labour shortages.
According to Alberta officials, the pause is part of an initiative to allocate the province’s limited nomination quotas more strategically, directing them toward sectors with pressing workforce demands. These include healthcare, technology, agriculture, construction, hospitality, and tourism — all vital industries for the province’s economic growth.
Applicants who submitted their Alberta Opportunity Stream applications before February 15 will still be assessed. The provincial government has emphasized it will implement new measures to better manage incoming application volumes and ensure reasonable processing times across all immigration streams.
The Alberta Opportunity Stream typically serves temporary foreign workers already employed full-time in the province on a valid Canadian work permit. It also includes recent graduates working under Post-Graduation Work Permits who have secured full-time job offers in Alberta.
In a forward-looking move, Alberta is introducing a new Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream specifically for tourism and hospitality workers. Starting March 1, this new stream will be open to individuals who have been working for at least six months in Alberta’s tourism or hospitality sector and who meet residency and employment criteria for long-term settlement.
Eligible candidates must hold a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an approved employer in the appropriate sector. The province intends to cap the number of applications for this stream and prioritize them in its processing queues under broader economic development goals.
This new initiative is a direct response to labour shortages in Alberta’s tourism and hospitality sector, which has seen a strong rebound. Government data indicates that the province attracted more than 32 million visitors in 2022, generating over $10.7 billion in expenditures — a clear sign of the sector’s growing importance to Alberta’s economy.
Further details about the new tourism and hospitality stream, including how to apply and specific eligibility requirements, are expected to be released on March 1. Maple News will continue to monitor and report updates as they become available.