Alberta Dedicated Health Care Pathway

Through this pathway, healthcare professionals who have received job offers in Alberta’s health sector can apply for nomination under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). This pathway has two options: Express Entry (EE) Aligned and Non-Express Entry (non-EE), each with its own eligibility requirements and application process.

Key Takeaways

• Pathway Options: Two pathways, Express Entry Aligned and Non-Express Entry, depending on your eligibility for the Express Entry system.
• Eligibility: Requires a job offer from an Alberta employer in an eligible healthcare occupation.
• Profession-Specific Requirements: Proof of ability to practice in Alberta from applicable regulatory bodies.

What Is The Alberta Dedicated Healthcare Pathway? 

The Dedicated Healthcare Pathway is an immigration route under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) specifically designed for healthcare professionals. This pathway allows individuals with job offers in Alberta’s health sector to gain Canadian permanent residency. With two application streams—Express Entry (EE) Aligned and Non-Express Entry (non-EE)—the pathway supports Alberta’s goal to address healthcare shortages by bringing in skilled workers for essential roles in the province.

The Dedicated Healthcare Pathway is open to qualified healthcare professionals in key fields, such as physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, and social workers, who have been offered full-time, permanent employment by an Alberta healthcare provider. This pathway not only benefits Alberta’s healthcare system by filling critical roles but also offers international healthcare workers a chance to settle in Canada permanently while advancing their careers in a high-demand sector.

Each stream under the Dedicated Healthcare Pathway has specific requirements related to eligibility, work experience, and application processing, with Express Entry candidates experiencing faster processing through the federal Express Entry system.

Eligibility Criteria for the Alberta Dedicated Healthcare Pathway

Job Offer in Alberta

• Express Entry (EE) Aligned: Must have a verifiable, full-time, permanent job offer from an Alberta employer in an eligible healthcare role.
• Non-Express Entry (non-EE): Same as EE Aligned—requires a verifiable, full-time, permanent job offer in an eligible healthcare role.

Licensing and Practice Requirements

• Express Entry (EE) Aligned: Must meet minimal regulatory requirements for licensure in Alberta and submit proof of ability to practice.
• Non-Express Entry (non-EE): Must meet the same regulatory requirements for licensure, with additional details if required for roles like Licensed Practical Nurses and Clinical Social Workers.

Language Proficiency

• Express Entry (EE) Aligned: Must meet federal language requirements for the Express Entry pool.
• Non-Express Entry (non-EE): Must demonstrate at least CLB 5 in all skills or have language proficiency sufficient for licensure.

Express Entry Profile

• Express Entry (EE) Aligned: An active Express Entry profile with a minimum CRS score of 300 is required. Candidates must also meet eligibility criteria for one of the federal Express Entry programs (CEC, FSWP, or FSTP).
• Non-Express Entry (non-EE): This pathway is only for candidates who do not qualify for Express Entry. Candidates who can create an Express Entry profile with a CRS score of 300 or more must apply through the Express Entry pathway.

Intention to Reside in Alberta

• Express Entry (EE) Aligned: Candidates must demonstrate a clear intention to reside and work in Alberta permanently.
• Non-Express Entry (non-EE): Same as EE Aligned, requiring a commitment to settle in Alberta.

How to Apply for the Alberta Dedicated Healthcare Pathway

Express Entry Aligned Pathway

• Step 1: Confirm your eligibility and create an Express Entry profile if not already in the pool.
• Step 2: Secure a valid job offer from an Alberta employer in an eligible healthcare role.
• Step 3: Submit proof of licensure eligibility and your job offer to the AAIP.
• Step 4: If nominated, update your Express Entry profile to reflect your provincial nomination, which can increase your CRS score.
• Step 5: Await further instructions from IRCC to complete your permanent residency application.

Non-Express Entry Pathway

• Step 1: Confirm that you do not meet the criteria for the Express Entry pathway.
• Step 2: Secure a job offer in an eligible healthcare position with an Alberta employer.
• Step 3: Submit your job offer and proof of licensure to the AAIP.
• Step 4: If nominated, apply for Canadian permanent residency through the Provincial Nominee Program’s Non-Express Entry process.

National Occupation Classification (NOC) Codes

When applying through the Dedicated Health Care Pathway, you’ll need to provide details about the occupation listed in your job offer, along with documentation from the relevant regulatory authority confirming your eligibility to practice the designated health care profession in Alberta.

Who Is Not Eligible to Apply

Regardless of the pathway, you are not eligible to apply if any of the following apply:

• You currently hold an active nomination through any AAIP stream.
  This includes nominations that are still valid, those eligible for an extension, or those already used in a permanent residence application that is still under review.

• You are a refugee claimant or are involved in a federal appeal or removal process.
  The AAIP does not have the authority to intervene in federal immigration matters such as refugee claims, appeals, or deportation proceedings.

• You have been deemed ineligible to reapply to the AAIP due to misrepresentation.
  Individuals flagged for providing false or misleading information are not permitted to reapply until the ineligibility period has passed.