Overview

The Accelerated Tech Pathway is designed for Express Entry candidates who have certain job offers from an Alberta tech company. This pathway allows for expedited processing of nomination applications.

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has an Accelerated Tech Pathway that expedites the process for foreign workers who already work for, or have been offered a job by, an employer in the tech industry based in Alberta.

Foreign nationals can only apply for the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway if their occupation meets the requirements under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) code, their industry is eligible, and they meet all of the required eligibility requirements.

After meeting all of the requirements, candidates may start the application process by submitting their Express Entry profile details, Alberta job offer, and employer to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program. Alberta will then invite qualified applicants to apply for nomination.

After receiving a nomination you will then need to apply for permanent residency through Express Entry.

If you are nominated, you will receive 600 extra Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This puts you in a strong position to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence from the Express Entry pool in the next draw.

Accelerated Tech Eligibility

AAIP may invite you to submit your application if:

  • you have an active profile in the Express Entry pool with a Comprehensive Ranking System score of 300 and above
  • you work full-time or have an offer for full-time employment in Alberta:
    • your occupation is on the list of eligible Accelerated Tech Pathway occupations and
    • is for an employer in the Alberta tech industry on the list
  • your primary occupation in your EE profile matches your Alberta employment or your job offer

If your Express Entry profile is set to expire in less than 3 months, you may have a lower chance of being asked to submit an application.

  • 0013 Senior managers - financial, communications and other business services
  • 0112 Human resources managers
  • 0131 Telecommunication carriers manager
  • 0211 Engineering managers
  • 0212 Architecture and science managers
  • 0213 Computer and information systems managers
  • 0512 Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
  • 0601 Corporate sales managers
  • 1123 Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations
  • 1121 Human resources professionals
  • 1223 Human resources and recruitment officers
  • 2131 Civil engineers
  • 2132 Mechanical engineers
  • 2133 Electrical and electronics engineers
  • 2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
  • 2161 Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries
  • 2171 Information systems analysts and consultants
  • 2172 Database analysts and data administrators
  • 2173 Software engineers and designers
  • 2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers
  • 2175 Web designers and developers
  • 2221 Biological technologists and technicians
  • 2232 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
  • 2233 Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
  • 2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
  • 2253 Drafting technologists and technicians
  • 2281 Computer network technicians
  • 2282 User support technicians
  • 2283 Information systems testing technicians
  • 3211 Medical laboratory technologists
  • 3212 Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants
  • 3219 Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health)
  • 4163 Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants
  • 5131 Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
  • 5241 Graphic designers and illustrators
  • 7241 Electricians (except industrial and power system)
  • 7242 Industrial electricians
  • 7246 Telecommunications installation and repair workers
  • 2211 Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution
  • 3251 Basic Chemical Manufacturing
  • 3254 Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing
  • 3333 Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing
  • 3341 Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing
  • 3342 Communications Equipment Manufacturing
  • 3343 Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing
  • 3344 Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing
  • 3345 Navigational, Medical and Control Instruments Manufacturing
  • 3346 Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media
  • 3364 Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing
  • 4173 Computer and Communications Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
  • 5112 Software Publishers
  • 5121 Motion Picture and Video Industries
  • 5173 Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carrier (except Satellite)
  • 5174 Satellite Telecommunications
  • 5179 Other Telecommunications
  • 5182 Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services
  • 5191 Other Information Services
  • 5413 Architectural, Engineering and Related Services
  • 5414 Specialized Design Services
  • 5415 Computer Systems Design and Related Services
  • 5417 Scientific Research and Development Services
  • 5419 Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
  • 7115 Independent Artists, Writers and Performers
  • 8112 Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance

People who do not meet the requirements below cannot apply to be nominated, even if they satisfy the occupation and industry demands, or have a full-time job offer for at least 12 months:

  • employees who work part-time, casually or seasonally
  • contractors or agency workers
  • Employees who work from a location outside of Alberta, such as online.

You also cannot apply if you:

  • are a refugee claimant or involved with an appeal or removal process
  • have an active AAIP nomination
  • have a letter from AAIP stating you are not eligible

Assessment criteria

If AAIP invites you to submit an application, you will need to meet the below assessment criteria.

You must:

  • you have an active profile in the Express Entry pool and a CRS score of 300 or above
  • meet the eligibility criteria of either:
  • must be working full-time or have an Alberta offer for full-time employment
    • this occupation must match the primary occupation in your active Express Entry profile
    • your occupation is on the list of eligible Accelerated Tech Pathway occupations and
    • for an Alberta employer:
      • in Alberta under an eligible tech industry on the list
      • that is a business which is registered with the provincial, territorial or national government, has an established production capacity, a physical plant or place of business in Alberta.
      • of which you do not own 10% or more of the voting shares of the business.
  • you have a contract or job offer signed by your Alberta employer and yourself and it shows:
    • continuous paid work
    • full-time work (30 hours per week minimum)
    • for at least 12 months of employment
    • for a job in Alberta
      • If you work or will be working at a home-based business in Alberta, your employer must have the authorization to operate that business location from a personal residence.
    • a base wage or salary:
  • if you are working for your employer in Alberta when you submit your application, you must have valid immigration status, meaning either a work permit or implied status.
  • intend to live and work in Alberta

How to apply through the Accelerated Tech Program

If AAIP invites you to submit an application, you will need to meet the below assessment criteria.

If you believe you meet the assessment criteria, for expedited processing you must first complete and submit the Accelerated Tech Pathway form. You will need to include your Express Entry profile number and your job offer or employment contract.

Though you may meet the minimum requirements for this fast-track immigration program, an invitation to apply is not guaranteed. The number of potential Accelerated Tech Pathway applicants who meet the requirements, as well as AAIP’s current processing queues and available nominations will affect your request to apply.

The AAIP will notify you via email and provide a portal link if your application is selected.

Review the assessment criteria. You must meet all of the requirements at the time of both your application and assessment in order to be accepted. Failing to do so will result in an automatic decline of your application.

The only way to apply for the Alberta Express Entry Stream through the AAIP is online.

For your online application to be accepted for processing by the AAIP, you must complete 2 steps:

  • complete and submit the online application, and
  • pay the application fee

Application fee

A $500 application fee is required for all online submissions when applying for a nomination.

This will be paid when you submit your application not when submitting the Accelerated Tech Pathway form.

You are not guaranteed a nomination certificate.

You will also need to pay the Express Entry fees when applying for permanent residency after receiving a nomination.

How to apply for permanent residency

You have 30 days to accept your nomination in your Express Entry profile.

Be sure to check your nomination certificate for mistakes. If you find any, please reach out to the program officer who was responsible for reviewing your application.

If Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invite you to apply for permanent residency, you have 60 days from receiving the invitation to submit your application.

Finish your Express Entry application, upload the needed supplementary documents, and pay any required fees.

The IRCC will evaluate your Canada immigration application for permanent residency to check if everything is in order.

If they accept it, you’ll be given a file number and told what the next steps are.

The IRCC will reach out to you if they need any additional information through your account.

Work permits after nomination

After being nominated the 204(c) Letter of Support in your nomination package allows you to apply for a work permit from IRCC if you did not have a valid one at the time of nomination.

If you were ineligible to receive a 204(c) Letter of Support during your nomination process, you can request one from the AAIP if you now have a job offer in Alberta. You can this letter to apply to IRCC for a work permit.

Learn more

If your current work permit will expire before you receive permanent residence status, you must apply to the IRCC to renew your work permit.

An AAIP nomination does not guarantee that your work permit will be renewed. Make sure to pay attention to the expiration date on your work permit.

The nominees of the AAIP can apply for a work permit renewal through IRCC in 4 ways.

Learn more