Please be advised that processing times and availability for the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (“AINP”) have been updated as of September 10, 2014.
AVAILABILITY
The AINP is authorized by Citizenship and Immigration Canada to issue a maximum of 5,500 certificates of nomination for the 2014 calendar year. Once the AINP reaches the maximum nomination certificates it can issue in 2014, further certificates can be issued only in 2015. As of September 5, 2014, the AINP has:
- More than 10,000 applications that need to be assessed to determine if the application is eligible for a nomination
- Issued more than 3,100 (out of the available 5,500 nominations) so far in 2014
- Is able to issue less than 2,400 nominations from now until December 31, 2014
PROCESSING TIMES:
Processing times have increased as the AINP received a large volume of applications near the end of 2013, and continues to receive a high volume of applications. AINP has released approximate processing times based on when an application was received. Employer Driven Stream – Skilled Worker and International Graduate Categories
- On or before December 31, 2013: at least 13 – 15 months
- Between January and April 2014 (inclusive): at least 15 – 18 months
- Between May and August 2014 (inclusive): at least 18 – 24 months
- September 1, 2014 and after: at least 25 months
Strategic Recruitment Stream
- On or before August 31, 2014: at least 12 – 14 months
- September 1, 2014 and after: at least 14 months
At this time, we urge you to carefully review any employees that may be affected by these updates. For employees with an AINP application in process that may have been depending on obtaining a bridging work permit based on an AINP Nomination, we advise that alternative methods be pursued, such as obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (“LMIA”). You also may wish to abandon your AINP application in favour of another Permanent Resident stream. This release of information has effectively closed the AINP program for 2014. If you have been preparing an AINP application that has not yet been submitted, we would strongly suggest looking into alternatives for obtaining permanent residence, such as Canadian Experience Class (“CEC”) or Federal Skilled Trades. We will continue to advise you of any updates we receive in regards to these important updates. In the meantime, please contact us regarding any current or upcoming applications that may be affected, as we are here to continue to make every effort to meet the needs of our clientele and assist in finding alternate options for employees that will be significantly affected by these updates.