Alberta Express Entry Stream – After you are nominated

Regular system updates

System maintenance for the AAIP portal occurs Fridays from 11 pm to Sundays at 7 pm. If you experience technical issues during these times, try again later. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Applying for permanent residence

Important: The National Occupational Classification (NOC) has been updated. If you had an active Express Entry profile on November 15, 2022, IRCC has sent you instructions on how to update NOC information in your profile. Follow IRCC instructions to update your profile.

Step 1. Accept your Alberta Advantage Immigration Program nomination

You have 30 days to accept the nomination in your online federal Express Entry profile. You must accept your nomination in the federal portal to be eligible to apply for permanent residence under this stream.

Your Alberta Advantage Immigration Program Nomination (AAIP) does not mean that you will receive permanent residence. Only Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can issue a permanent resident visa.

Alberta Express Entry Stream nominees cannot extend their nomination.

Step 2. Review your nomination certificate

Your AAIP nomination certificate will be sent to you by email. If you have an authorized representative, they will be copied on the same email.

IRCC may require you to provide a copy of this nomination certificate with your application for permanent residence. You may also be able to use this nomination certificate to renew your work permit.

Read your nomination certificate.

Important: If you applied to the AAIP on or before November 15, 2022, your nomination certificate will reflect the 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) code for your occupation. If you apply on or after November 16, 2022, the nomination certificate will include the 2021 NOC code for your occupation.

Contact the program officer who assessed your application if you find mistakes on your nomination. If a program officer did not contact you during the assessment of your application, email [email protected] with details on the errors in your nomination certificate.

You may be asked by IRCC to provide your nomination to renew your work permit.

If you are nominated under the Accelerated Tech Pathway and did not have a valid work permit at the time of nomination, make sure there is a 204(c) Letter of Support in your nomination package. You will use this letter to apply to IRCC for a work permit after you apply for permanent residence. If you had a valid work permit at the time of nomination, you will not receive a 204(c) Letter of Support in your nomination package. You will need to apply and pay for a 204(c) Letter of Support if you need one.

Step 3: Receive an invitation to apply

If you are invited to apply for permanent residence, you will receive an Invitation to Apply letter from IRCC in your online federal Express Entry account. This letter will tell you the next steps in the process.

You will have 60 days after receiving the Invitation to Apply to submit your application for permanent residence online.

Step 4. Apply online for permanent residence

Fill out an online Express Entry application, upload your supporting documents, and pay the application fees.

IRCC will provide a personalized document checklist for you and any dependents so that you will know what documents to include.

The system will not let you submit the application unless you include all the required documents and fee payments and fill out all the mandatory form fields.

Obtain a work permit

Family connection and occupation in demand, Dedicated Healthcare Pathway and priority sector nominees

If you did not have a valid work permit at the time of nomination, you can request a 204(c) Letter of Support from the AAIP if you have a valid job offer to work in Alberta. You can use the 204(c) Letter of Support to apply to IRCC for a work permit.

To request a 204(c) Letter of Support, follow the instructions for Option 4 in the 'Extending your work permit' section below. You do not have to provide a copy of your most recent immigration status document for Canada if you are not yet here.

Nominees who do not have a valid job offer to work in Alberta are not eligible for a 204(c) Letter of Support.

Accelerated Tech Pathway nominees

If you are nominated under the Accelerated Tech Pathway and did not have a valid work permit at the time of nomination, you received a 204(c) Letter of Support in your nomination package. Use your 204(c) Letter of Support to apply to IRCC for a work permit.

If you were not eligible to receive a 204(c) Letter of Support at the time of nomination, you can request a 204(c) Letter of Support from the AAIP if you have a valid job offer to work in Alberta. You can use the 204(c) Letter of Support to apply to IRCC for a work permit.

To request a 204(c) Letter of Support, follow the instructions for Option 4 in the 'Extending your work permit' section below. You do not have to provide a copy of your most recent immigration status document for Canada if you are not yet here.

Nominees who do not have a valid job offer to work in Alberta are not eligible for a 204(c) Letter of Support.

After you apply for permanent residence

IRCC will determine if your application for permanent residence is complete. If IRCC accepts your application they will send you a file number and tell you the next steps.

IRCC will contact you through your online account with any updates or requests for information.

You can check the status of your IRCC application online using your file number.

The AAIP does not have any information about your IRCC application and cannot provide status updates.

Medical, criminal and security checks

You and your family must pass medical, criminal and security checks to receive permanent residence.

Medical exams for you and your family members must be ready at the time you apply to IRCC for permanent residence. For more information on the requirements for medical exams visit IRCC’s website.

Change of information

If there are changes to the following information while IRCC is processing your permanent residence application, you must contact both the AAIP and IRCC:

• address, email or phone number
• family status
• employment changes and new work permits
• immigration status
• use of representative

IRCC will tell you how to contact them with any changes after receiving your application for permanent residence.

How you update the AAIP of changes will depend on how you applied to the AAIP.

Online application using AAIP portal

All updates of your contact information (except email address), employment and family information and changes to your representative must be completed in the portal. Withdrawals must also be completed in the portal.

If you need to change your email address for corresponding with the AAIP, you must update your Alberta.ca Account.

For all other updates, you must email the updated information, along with your file number, to the AAIP officer who sent you your nomination. Ensure you attach all relevant documents. You must keep track of the changes you send to the AAIP. The AAIP will update its internal system with changes.

Forms to notify the AAIP of updates

• A signed Use of Representative form must be provided to change your third-party representative for your AAIP application

Withdrawing an application or updating your contact information (excluding email address), family information, employment information and representative

Complete the online request

• Log into the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program portal
• On the portal main page, click on 'Create New Request'.
• Find the AAIP application number for the application that you want to update existing contact information.
• Once you click on the application number, you will be directed to a page with detailed information. You can only see request options that are available to you for this application.
  • Withdrawal: If you are eligible to withdraw the application, a blue 'Withdraw Application' button will be available above the application number.
  • Update contact information: You can update contact information for all active or nominated applications.
  • Update employment information: You can update your current employment information for all active or nominated applications. Use this request to provide reference letters, Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs), work permits, job offers, employment contracts, pay records, Records of employment and licensing or certification documents.
  • Update family information: You can update spouse/common-law partner and dependent information for all active and nominated applications.
  • Request change of representative: You can update your representative for all applications, including withdrawn and declined applications.
• Click on the blue button for the type of request or update you want to submit.
• Read the information provided on submitting the request and follow the instructions to complete the request.
  • Withdrawal: Once an application is withdrawn, it cannot be re-activated. Enter your reason for requesting the withdrawal of the application,
  • Update contact information: The contact information the AAIP currently has for you is provided. To update your address and/or phone number, replace the existing information with your new information. Only update the information that is no longer correct. Do not delete any information that is still correct. Include only your contact information. Do not provide anyone else’s information, including that of your third party representative.
  • Update employment information: Check off all the changes to employment that apply and upload supporting documents.
  • Update family information: Provide details on the spouse/common-law partner and or dependent you need to add or remove from the application and upload supporting documents.
  • Request change of representative: If you are removing a representative and representing yourself, fill out the fields as directed in the portal. If you are appointing a representative or changing from one representative to another representative, read the provided AAIP Use of Representative policy and upload a signed Use of Representative form. Read the instructions in the form to determine which pages must be completed for the change to representative you are requesting.
• Click on 'Submit Request' button.

The AAIP will review your request to withdraw and will notify you by email after the review is completed.

We will make the changes to your contact, family, employment and representative information in our internal system. Changes will only be reflected in the individual requests in the Check Existing Request section in the portal. Changes to your information will not be reflected in the online application.

IRCC will tell you how to contact them with any changes after receiving your application for permanent residence.

Paper application submitted by mail

If you need to make updates to your application or advise of any changes to your status after you are nominated you must email the updated information or change request, along with your AAIP file number, to the AAIP officer who sent you your nomination. Ensure you attach all relevant documents.

You must keep track of the requests you send to the AAIP. The AAIP will update its internal system with changes.

Forms to notify the AAIP of updates

• Change of Contact and Address Information 
• Request to Add or Remove Family Member(s)
• A signed Use of Representative form must be provided to change your third-party representative for your AAIP application.

Extend your work permit

All AAIP nominees must apply to IRCC for a work permit renewal if their current work permit will expire before their permanent residence application is finalized.

There are 4 ways that AAIP nominees can apply to IRCC for a work permit renewal.

The AAIP recommends that you first explore option 1, 2 or 3.

Option 1

Renew your work permit with a new LMIA from your Alberta employer.

If your Alberta employer has a new LMIA, you can apply to IRCC for a work permit renewal.

Make sure you include a copy of the LMIA.

Option 2

Renew your work permit based on an LMIA exemption as determined by IRCC.

Option 3

Renew your work permit by applying for a Bridging Open Work Permit. This option is available to all AAIP nominees in all streams and categories who have applied for permanent residence to IRCC and who:

• live in Canada
• have an IRCC file number
• have an Acknowledgement of Receipt, and
• can meet all other IRCC work permit and status requirements

Follow these steps when applying for the Bridging Open Work Permit:

1. Include a copy of your AAIP nomination when you apply.
2. Include a copy of your Acknowledgement of Receipt from IRCC with your IRCC file number.
3. Select ‘Open Work Permit’ on the IRCC application form to extend your work permit where it asks ‘What type of work permit are you applying for?’
4. Pay all fees, including the additional $100 fee for an open work permit.

Option 4 (only recommended if options 1, 2, and 3 are not possible)

204(c) Letter of Support

If Options 1, 2 or 3 are not available to you, you may be eligible to receive a 204(c) Letter of Support from the AAIP to renew your work permit.

Accelerated Tech Pathway nominees who did not have a valid work permit at the time of nomination do not need to apply for a 204(c) Letter of Support. The 204(c) Letter of Support is issued at the time of nomination.

All other nominees, including Accelerated Tech Pathway nominees who had a valid work permit at the time of nomination, must submit a request to be considered for a 204(c) Letter of Support. The AAIP will review your request and determine if a letter can be issued.

There is no guarantee a 204(c) Letter of Support will be issued.

The AAIP will only issue one 204(c) Letter of Support per nominee. A second 204(c) Letter of Support may be issued to nominees who have a written request from IRCC for a 204(c) Letter of Support.

The following processes and considerations apply to requests for a 204(c) Letter of Support:

• A 204(c) Letter of Support will only be issued at the time of nomination to qualifying nominees under the Accelerated Tech Pathway.
• All nominees must complete and submit a request for 204(c) Letter of Support. How you submit the request depends on how you applied to the AAIP (mail or online application). You cannot submit a request for a 204(c) Letter of Support until you have received a nomination certificate.
• All requests for a 204(c) Letter of Support are subject to a service fee of $150. Exception: Nominees who have a written request from IRCC for a 204(c) Letter of Support do not need to pay the service fee.
• Requests will not be processed until full payment is received.

How to request a 204(c) Letter of Support

How you make a request for a 204(c) Letter of Support depends on how you applied to the AAIP.

Online application using AAIP portal

Step 1. Complete the online request

• Log into the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program portal
• On the portal main page, click on 'Create New Request'.
• Find the AAIP application number for the application for which you want to make a request for a 204(c) Letter of Support.
• Once you click on the application number, you will be directed to a page with detailed information. You can only see request options that are available to you for this application. You can make a request for a 204(c) Letter of Support for applications that have a valid nomination. If you are eligible to submit a request for a 204(c) Letter of Support for the application, a blue 'Request 204(c) Letter of Support' button will be available above the application number.
• Click on the 'Request 204(c) Letter of Support' button.
• Next, read the FOIP clause and other important information about completing a request. Check off the box and click on 'Continue'. A draft is automatically saved once you click on the 'Continue' button. If you experience any technical issues or leave the request section while creating the request, you will need to go to the 'Check Existing Requests' page to retrieve the draft request to continue.
• Read the information provided on submitting the request and follow the instructions to complete the request. Fill out the fields as directed in the portal and upload supporting documents.
• Click on 'Submit Request' button.
• Next you must pay the fee.

Step 2. Pay the fee

All requests for a 204(c) Letter of Support are subject to a service fee of $150.

Exception: Nominees who have a written request from IRCC for a 204(c) Letter of Support do not need to pay the service fee.

Fee conditions

The request for a 204(c) Letter of Support fee is non-refundable once a request has been submitted in the AAIP portal. Refund requests for requests for a 204(c) Letter of Support will not be considered. The fee covers the cost of processing your request and is required whether a 204(c) Letter of Support is issued or not. There is no guarantee you will be issued a 204(c) Letter of Support.

Online payment

Instructions on how to pay your fee are available in the portal. For any online fee payment issues, contact the Service Alberta Contact Centre:

Phone: 1-844-643-2788
Email: [email protected]

You will need to pay your fee in full within 24 hours of submitting your request in the portal. If you do not pay your fee within 24 hours of submitting your request, your request will be cancelled. Cancelled requests cannot be reinstated and a new request must be created and submitted.

Check the Request Status of your application on the Check Existing Requests page to confirm if your request fee has been paid. Your fee has not been paid if the status is 'Payment Pending.' Your request has been accepted for processing by the AAIP if the status is 'Submitted'. You will also have an email from eServices with your fee payment receipt.

Paper application submitted by mail

Step 1. Submit your request

Complete the Request for 204(c) Letter of Support form and gather the required documents.

When submitting your request you must attach these digital documents:

• scanned copy of your current job offer, including:
  • your current job title
  • your current salary
  • the name and contact information of your current Alberta employer
• if you already living or working in Canada, provide a scanned copy of your most recent work permit or other status document
• if your nomination is expired, proof you have submitted an application for permanent residence to IRCC (proof of payment, copy of courier slip)
• scanned copy of a request that IRCC has sent you asking for a 204(c) Letter (if applicable)
• updated Use of Representative form (if applicable)
• copy of your eServices fee payment receipt (if applicable) (see next step)

Step 2. Pay the fee

All Requests for a 204(c) Letter of Support paid for on or after April 1, 2024 are subject to a service fee of $150. Requests paid for before April 1, 2024 are subject to a $100 fee.

Exception: Nominees who have a written request from IRCC for a 204(c) Letter of Support do not need to pay the service fee.

Fee conditions

The AAIP Request for a 204(c) Letter of Support fee is non-refundable once a request has been submitted to the AAIP. Refund requests for 204(c) Letter of Support fees will not be considered. The fee covers the cost of processing of your request and is required whether a 204(c) Letter of Support is issued or not.

Online payment

Pay online by debit or credit card at MyAlberta eServices.

Make a copy of your fee payment receipt.

For any online fee payment issues, contact the Service Alberta Contact Centre at:

Phone: 1-844-643-2788
Email: [email protected]

Step 3. Submit your request

Email your completed form, with supporting documents and a copy of your fee payment receipt to [email protected].

If you do not include a copy of your fee payment receipt, you will have 10 business days to provide proof of payment. If proof of payment is not received in 10 business days, your request will be cancelled.

After you submit a request for a 204(c) Letter of Support

If you emailed your request, an automated email will be sent acknowledging receipt of the request.

You will not receive an email if you submitted your request online using the AAIP portal. You can check the online portal for the status of your request.

If you receive a written request from IRCC for a 204(c) Letter of Support, AAIP will attempt to respond to your request by the deadline provided by IRCC. For all other requests for a 204(c) Letter of Support, it will take up to 28 days for the AAIP to respond to your request.

The form or online information and supporting documents will be reviewed. You will receive an email notifying you if the request meets the conditions required for a 204(c) Letter of Support to be issued.

Important: If you applied to the AAIP on or before November 15, 2022, your 204(c) Letter of Support will reflect the 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) code for your occupation. If you apply on or after November 16, 2022, the 204(c) Letter of Support will include the 2021 NOC code for your occupation.

Applying for a new work permit with a 204(c) Letter of Support

• include a copy of your AAIP nomination and your 204(c) Letter of Support
• include a copy of your Acknowledgement of Receipt from IRCC with your IRCC file number, if your AAIP nomination is no longer valid when you apply
• confirm if your Alberta employer paid the employer compliance fee of $230 and has submitted an offer of employment through the Employer Portal

More information on applying to IRCC to renew a work permit with a 204(c) Letter of Support can be found on the IRCC website under the section 'Foreign workers nominated by a province or territory'.

Forms and documents

• Change of Contact and Address Information form – for paper applications only
• Use of Representative form
• Request for 204(c) Letter of Support form – for paper applications only
• Request to Add or Remove Family Member(s) – for paper applications only

Contact

Connect with us if you have questions about the program using the Opportunity Alberta Feedback contact form.