Canada’s Free Trade Agreements
Canada’s Free Trade Agreements

Dedicated Healthcare Pathway

ai-generated

Alberta Dedicated Health Care Pathway – Fast-Track Your Canadian Permanent Residence

The Alberta Dedicated Health Care Pathway, part of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), offers internationally trained healthcare professionals a streamlined route to Canadian Permanent Residence. This pathway is designed to address Alberta’s critical healthcare workforce needs by attracting skilled professionals to live and work in the province.

At Scope Immigration Services, we specialize in guiding healthcare professionals through the complexities of this program, ensuring a smooth and efficient application process.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Alberta Dedicated Health Care Pathway, applicants must meet specific criteria, which vary depending on whether they are applying through the Express Entry or Non-Express Entry stream.

Express Entry Stream

To be eligible under the Express Entry stream, applicants must:

  1. Valid Job Offer: Possess a verifiable, full-time, permanent job offer from an Alberta employer in an eligible healthcare occupation. The employer must have valid Workers’ Compensation Board coverage.
  2. Regulatory Requirements: Provide proof of meeting the minimum requirements set by the applicable regulatory organization to practice the eligible healthcare profession in Alberta.
  3. Express Entry Profile: Have an active profile in the federal Express Entry pool.
  4. Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score: Maintain a minimum CRS score of 300.
  5. Federal Program Eligibility: Qualify under one of the federal immigration programs managed by Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Federal Skilled Worker Program.
  6. Intent to Reside in Alberta: Demonstrate the intention and ability to live and work permanently in Alberta.
Non-Express Entry Stream

For the Non-Express Entry stream, applicants must:

  1. Valid Job Offer: Possess a verifiable, full-time, permanent job offer from an Alberta employer in an eligible healthcare occupation, with valid Workers’ Compensation Board coverage.
  2. Regulatory Requirements: Provide proof of meeting the minimum requirements set by the applicable regulatory organization to practice the eligible healthcare profession in Alberta.
  3. Work Permit Status: Hold a valid work permit or maintain implied status during the application processing.
  4. Intent to Reside in Alberta: Demonstrate the intention and ability to live and work permanently in Alberta.
  5. Language Proficiency: Achieve a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5 in all language skill levels or possess language skills sufficient to obtain licensure in the regulated healthcare occupation in Alberta.
Eligible Healthcare Professions

The following healthcare professions are eligible under both the Express Entry and Non-Express Entry streams:

  • Physicians – College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA)
  • Registered Nurses (RNs) – College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)
  • Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) – College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA)
  • Nurse Practitioners (NPs) – College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)
  • Physician Assistants – College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA)
  • Occupational Therapists – Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (ACOT)
  • Physiotherapists – College of Physiotherapists of Alberta (CPA)
  • Clinical Social Workers – Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW)
  • Psychologists – College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP)

Applicants must provide information about their occupation as identified in their job offer and the regulatory organization’s proof of ability to practice the eligible healthcare profession in Alberta.

Application Process

Step 1: Submit a Worker Expression of Interest (EOI)

As of September 30, 2024, applicants must submit a Worker Expression of Interest (EOI) to be considered for selection under the AAIP worker streams. There is no fee to submit a Worker EOI. In the EOI, you will self-declare information about yourself. If you successfully submit a Worker EOI, AAIP will place you into the Worker Stream pool to be considered for selection. AAIP will issue a Worker EOI score based on the information you declare. Each Worker EOI will be scored and ranked using a points grid. Your Worker EOI may be selected by AAIP through ongoing selection draws. AAIP will select candidates based on candidate EOI score rankings and provincial labour market needs and priorities, available AAIP nominations, and application levels. Individuals who are selected will receive an invitation to apply by email.

Step 2: Invitation to Apply

If your EOI is selected, you will receive an invitation to apply to the AAIP worker stream. You must then submit a complete application, including all required documents, to AAIP for assessment.

Step 3: Nomination and Permanent Residence Application

If your application is approved, you will receive a nomination from Alberta. You can then apply to the Government of Canada for permanent residence. Processing times are subject to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) timelines.

Job Offer and Employer Requirements

To be eligible for the Dedicated Health Care Pathway, your job offer must meet specific criteria:

  • Employment Terms: Continuous, paid work under an employer-employee relationship.
  • Work Hours: Full-time work, defined as a minimum of 30 hours per week
  • Duration: Employment for 12 months or more
  • Compensation: Wages and benefits that meet provincial minimum wage
    • Meet or exceed the requirements set out in your Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), if applicable,
    • Meet or exceed the lowest starting wage for your occupation across all industries in Alberta.

Note: Non-wage compensation, including but not limited to compensation from company ownership, is not considered as part of the applicant’s base monetary wage or salary.

Required Documents

Applicants must provide:

  • Job Offer: A valid, verifiable job offer from an Alberta employer in the health sector.
  • Regulatory Proof: Verifiable proof of meeting the minimal requirements prescribed by the applicable regulatory organization to practice the eligible healthcare profession in Alberta.
  • Language Proficiency: Language test results demonstrating the required Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level.
  • Work Permit: If applicable, a valid work permit or proof of maintained status during processing.
  • EOI Submission: Confirmation of submission of a Worker Expression of Interest.

 

Important Notes

  • Application Timing: You must meet all requirements when your application is submitted and when it is assessed.
  • Regulatory Organizations: Each eligible healthcare profession has a corresponding regulatory organization responsible for licensing and certification in Alberta.
  • Application Streams: The Dedicated Health Care Pathway operates under both the Express Entry and Non-Express Entry streams. Applicants must choose the appropriate stream based on their eligibility.