Online portal introduced for Alberta PNP applicants

On October 1, 2020, certain changes have been announced to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program [AINP]. These changes involve the introduction of a new AINP online portal, change in the application fees, updation of COVID-19 measures, and application updates to be sent by email.

Introduction of AINP Online Portal

From October 1, 2020, all AINP candidates – with the exception of those applying under the Self-Employed Farmer stream – can apply online through the AINP portal.

As per the AINP, with the portal, “an eligible candidate is able to apply to AINP online, review status and update information for their online application”.

As per the AINP, Alberta Express Entry stream candidates will require a prior authorization from the AINP for accessing the portal.

The new AINP portal has been designed with the aim of making the application process easy for the candidates looking to immigrate to Alberta province in Canada.

Application fees

All AINP applications that are submitted – on or after October 1, 2020 – through the AINP online portal will be subjected to a $500 non-refundable processing fee.

No processing fee will be have to be paid for Express Entry Stream or Alberta Opportunity Stream applications submitted by mail on or before October 1, 2020.

For the Self-Employed Farmer Stream of the AINP, candidates submitting their application by mail on or prior to October 1, 2020, will not be required to pay the processing fees. Applications mailed after October 1, 2020 will be required to pay the fee.

As per the new changes in the AINP, all requests for post-decision services will have to be emailed. Starting October 1, 2020, a fee will be charged by the AINP for post-decision services, including nominee requests, nomination extensions and requests for reconsideration. All fees for post-decisions services will have to be paid online.

Requests for services emailed on or after October 1, 2020 – including nominee requests, nomination extensions, and requests for reconsideration – are subject to a $100 service fee.

Changes to COVID-19 measures

The AINP has also made certain changes to various application and processing adjustments that had been made temporarily in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of October 1, 2020 –

Incomplete applications will no longer be accepted by the AINP. This will be applicable to applications – mailed or submitted in the online portal – on or after October 1, 2020.

Alberta Express Entry Stream and Alberta Opportunity Stream [AOS] applications are to be completed through the new AINP online portal.

Self-Employed Farmer Stream applicants can continue to send in their applications by mail.

All that had lost their job after the submission of their AINP application – regardless of the date of their applying – as well as all nominees, will now have up to 180* days [from the time that their application is assessed] to find employment meeting the criteria laid down by the AINP. All employment requirements must be met by the candidate at the time that their AINP application is mailed or submitted. The candidate will be advised by email when their AINP application is put on hold.

Note. – Earlier, the time given was up to 60 days.

As per the AINP, all the other temporary changes put in place by the AINP on April 29, 2020, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic “remain in effect”.

Updates to the application to be submitted by email

All candidates – including those that had applied by mail – will be required to send their application updates by email.

By “application updates” here is implied informing the AINP about –

Application withdrawal

Updates to use of a third party representative

Corrections or updates to documents or information in an application

Updates to contact information, immigration status, family composition, employment status

With the introduction of the new AINP online portal from October 1, 2020, the process is expected to become more streamlined. For accessing the AINP portal, immigration candidates would be required to use a system referred to as “MyAlberta Digital ID” for their unique identification.

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