Posted on May 07 2020
While Alberta continues to accept as well as process applications, certain temporary adjustments have been made in the application and assessment processes due to COVID-19.
Temporary changes that have been put in place by the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program [AINP] from April 29, 2020 will be applicable to current as well as new candidates. By a “current candidate” is meant a candidate that had “mailed their application on or before April 29, 2020”.
Let us review the temporary changes that have been made by the AINP due to COVID-19.
Submitting applications
Copies for all document types and copies of signatures on forms will be accepted from both current as well as new candidates.
The authenticity of transcripts and signatures might be confirmed by email and phone.
Applications will be accepted only by mail. Electronic applications will not be accepted.
Incomplete applications can be submitted by new candidates only if they –
New applications failing to meet the above-mentioned requirements will be declined.
If a current candidate is unable to provide documents due to COVID-19, they must include –
Changes that have been put in place by the AINP also include the assessment of applications. The AINP will temporarily be holding “new applications for 60 calendar days from date of mailing and current applications for 60 calendar days from date of assessment where the application is either incomplete due to COVID-19 or the AINP program officer cannot verify information or documentation.”
In case an application is put on hold by the AINP, the applicant will be advised of the same in an email.
Though the application will initially be kept on hold for 60 days, after 45 days the AINP will determine if an additional holding for 60 calendar days will be needed.
The candidate will be updated – via email – as to the status of their application by each 60 calendar day mark.
The longest that an application can be put on hold by the AINP due to COVID-19 is 6 months.
Once 6 months have passed, a decision will be taken on the application. This decision will be based on the information available with the AINP as well as the circumstances of the candidate at the time that the decision is taken.
If, while the application is being processed by the AINP, there is any change in email, address, employment, family status or phone number, the AINP will have to be informed by the candidate.
Information related to a change in employment will either have to be emailed to the AINP program officer handling the application or mailed to the AINP.
Do keep in mind that no information must be mailed without an AINP file number.
Alberta Opportunity Stream
Under the Alberta Opportunity Stream, new as well as current candidates that are working in a location not zoned for industrial or commercial use due to social distancing directives by the government might be eligible for nomination. Working from home is an example of such a situation.
A candidate will be eligible for nomination if still working for their employer and continuing with the performance of some of the job duties or types of work in their job description, provided they are able to prove that they will indeed return to their regular work duties after the COVID-19 pandemic. They must continue to meet all other criteria as well.
Candidates that had changed employers for maintaining their employment status during COVID-19 and are working from home will have their application put on hold for 60 days for allowing them to meet criteria.
No other changes have been made to the selection criteria for the Alberta Opportunity Stream.
Certain current candidates – that is, candidates that had mailed their applications on or before April 29, 2020 – will be given additional time allowing them to change their circumstances and meet the selection criteria.
In order to allow candidates to meet criteria, applications will be put on hold for 60 calendar days of current candidates of the Alberta Opportunity Stream that are facing any of the following circumstances –
With applications being put on hold in view of the service limitations and disruptions caused by COVID-19 special measures, Alberta Opportunity Stream candidates will get more time for meeting the criteria of the stream.
Alberta Express Entry Stream
Selection draws as well as nomination of individuals will continue under the Alberta Express Entry System.
However, the AINP has stated that “Only individuals living and working in Alberta will be considered for a nomination at this time.”
Criteria to be met for receiving a nomination under the Alberta Express Entry System are –
Current Alberta Express Entry Stream candidates that are experiencing either of the following circumstances will have their applications placed on hold for 60 calendar days, allowing them time to become eligible for a nomination –
Applications for Alberta Express Entry Stream that do not have a recent history of employment in Alberta will not be processed by the AINP till further notice.
This will include new applications from candidates that received a Notification of Interest [NOI] before or after April 29, 2020 along with applications wherein an AINP officer had already commenced with the assessment of the application for establishing eligibility.
In all cases, including where applications have been put on hold, the application will be closed if the candidate’s federal Express Entry profile expires. The candidate will have to be re-selected by Alberta to qualify for being considered under this stream.
After Nomination
Nominees will have to inform the AINP about any change in the family status, phone number, address, or email after receiving the nomination.
Changes have to be intimated to the AINP and IRCC even after the application for Canada permanent residence has been submitted.
Nominees that had their employment circumstance change due to COVID-19 will be given 60 calendar days for meeting employment criteria to be able to maintain their nomination.
Moving to another province or territory will lead to the nomination being withdrawn.
For more details, get in touch with us today!
If you are looking to Work, Study, Invest, Visit, or Migrate to Canada, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No. 1 Immigration & Visa Company.
If you found this blog engaging, you may also like it…
Tags:
Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program
Share
Get it on your mobile
Get News alerts
Contact Y-Axis