US visa holder category
To be eligible in this category, you must be currently working in the United States on a valid temporary skilled worker visa in an occupation that is in demand in Alberta.
Purpose
The objective of the U.S. Visa Holder Category is to facilitate the entry of U.S. visa holders currently working temporarily in the United States, into Alberta’s permanent labour force.
U.S. visa holders in specific visa categories, working in skilled occupations in high demand in Alberta, may be eligible to apply to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) without an application from an Alberta employer.
Criteria for AINP Candidates under the Strategic Recruitment Stream U.S. Visa Holder Category (includes but is not limited to):
- A Candidate must demonstrate a clear ability and intention to live permanently in Alberta;
- A Candidate must be currently working in the United States and possess a valid visa in one of the following temporary skilled worker visa categories: H-1B, H-1B1, H-1C, E-3 at the time the AINP makes a final decision on the application;
- A Candidate must have a minimum of one year of work experience in the United States in one of the qualifying visa categories listed above; and,
- The Candidate’s current occupation must be on the AINP Occupations Under Pressure List for the Strategic Recruitment Stream – U.S. Visa Holder Category. Please note that this list is reviewed regularly and occupations may be added or removed based on Alberta’s current labour market needs.
Important Note: An updated version of the AINP Occupations Under Pressure List was posted on September 1, 2009. Any applications postmarked on or before September 1, 2009 will be assessed using the previous NOC list that was posted on this website at the time the Candidate submitted the application. All applications postmarked after September 1, 2009 will be assessed based on the list currently posted.
Note: To determine whether a Candidate’s occupation is under pressure in Alberta, a Candidate should first reference the National Occupational Classification (NOC) website to determine the four digit NOC code that best matches their current job description. The Candidate should then consult the AINP Occupations Under Pressure List for the Strategic Recruitment Stream – U.S. Visa Holder Category to find out if their four digit NOC code is on the list.
How to apply
To apply under the Strategic Recruitment Stream U.S. Visa Holder Category, the steps are as follows:
- The Strategic Recruitment Stream – U.S. Visa Holder Category Application for Provincial Nomination (AINP 009A) is the form required to apply under this category. If the Candidate is using a third party representative, the Candidate - Use of a Representative (AINP 008B) must also be completed.
- The Candidate completes this application form, and includes all supporting documents requested in the Instructions Checklist which accompanies the AINP 009A.
- Candidate sends their full application to the AINP for review. Before mailing an application to the AINP, please fully complete all required forms and gather all required documents. Refer to the Helpful Hints document for detailed instructions on how to submit the application. If the application has two or more documents missing, it will be returned to the applicant as deficient and no file will be created. The applicant will have to re-submit an application should they wish to re-apply.
- Please note that applications under the AINP Strategic Recruitment Stream – U.S. Visa Holder Category must be mailed to the following address:
Strategic Recruitment Stream – U.S. Visa Holder Category
Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program
Alberta Employment and Immigration
Suite 940, Telus Plaza North Tower
10025 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 1S6
- The AINP will assess the Candidate’s application. Please refrain from making status inquiries during our normal processing times. We have experienced a higher than expected volume of applications in the U.S. Visa Holder Category. As a result, eligible applications without a job offer from an Alberta employer may take at least 12 months to be processed. All applications will be processed, although processing times will vary significantly depending on the volume of applications received.
Eligible candidates with a valid job offer in Alberta will receive priority processing. Proof of a valid job offer is your employment contract or offer of employment letter from an Alberta employer for full-time employment within the Province of Alberta. The job offer must be in a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A or B) in a field related to your current occupation in the US and to your post-secondary education. The document must be on the official letterhead of the Alberta employer you will be working for and signed by an authorized representative of the company.
The Alberta Employer must be incorporated or registered by or under an act of the legislature of a province or the Parliament of Canada and operating as a business that has an established production capability, plant or place of business in Alberta.
Please note that an invalid or fraudulent job offer will result in the decline of your application.
- If the Candidate is approved, they become a Provincial Nominee. The AINP will notify the nominee by mail and will advise the nominee how to proceed with their permanent residence application. The nominee will be directed to forward a federal permanent residence application to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Visa Office abroad.
Note: If the Candidate submits an eligible job offer with their application, the AINP can issue a letter of support that would help the Candidate start working in Alberta right away, prior to their application for permanent residence with CIC being finalised.
- If the Provincial Nominee and their dependents meet the federal statutory requirements, including health, criminality and security checks, CIC may issue the permanent resident visa(s) for immigration to Alberta.
Please note: A nomination issued by the AINP does not guarantee permanent residence.
Date Updated: Sep 01, 2009
RDP-798
