Photo 104800766 © Typhoonski | Dreamstime.com

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Prioritizing applications for permanent residency

Alberta to help Ukrainians stay in the province

Mar 8, 2022 | 12:57 PM

To help Ukrainians stay in the province, the government of Alberta is prioritizing applications for permanent residency nomination.

In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the province is accelerating the assessment of applications for permanent residency made by Ukrainian nationals through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP).

“Ukraine holds a deep, historical connection to Alberta, and we owe so much to the hundreds of thousands of Albertans of Ukrainian origin who have helped build this province. This action helps demonstrate Alberta’s unwavering solidarity with the people of Ukraine during their time of need,” said Premier Jason Kenney.

Alberta is home to more than 345,000 people of Ukrainian descent. The Town of Vegreville is located in the largest Ukrainian bloc settlement in the province, with its famous Ukrainian Easter egg, the Pysanka, moving to the wind’s direction. As of Dec. 31, 2021, there were more than 400 Ukrainian citizens with temporary immigration status in Alberta.

The AAIP is a federal-provincial program managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Individuals are nominated for permanent residence in Alberta if they have skills to fill job shortages or are planning to buy or start a business in the province. They may then apply for permanent residence status with their spouse or common-law partner and dependent children.

Prevention, Access, Recovery, and Coordination

Safe Harbour officially hands over shelter keys, establishes accessible navigation hub

10h ago

lacombe and sylvan lake

December 2025 (un)employment data released for Alberta sub-regions

11h ago

21 years with WCPS

Darcy Blum appointed principal of Lacombe Outreach School

13h ago

As part of the support, application and post-decision service fees will also be temporarily waived for new and existing applications made by Ukrainian nationals. The fees to apply to the program are normally $500 for workers streams, $3,500 for entrepreneur streams, and $100 for post-decision services, such as nomination extension requests, letters of support and reconsideration requests.

The government stated it is also helping connect temporary Ukrainian residents with Alberta employers who have potential job opportunities.

Earlier this week, Minister of Labour and Immigration Kaycee Madu sent a letter to the Government of Canada calling for flexible immigration measures to help Ukrainians affected by the ongoing crisis.

“Alberta’s government will do whatever we can to accommodate Ukrainians who are fleeing their homes and country in search of safety. As the situation evolves, we will continue to work with the federal government and newcomer-serving organizations in Alberta to support Ukrainians affected by the conflict and stand up for their right to peaceful and secure lives,” said Kaycee Madu, Minister of Labour and Immigration.

All AAIP program criteria must still be met and the measure will be reviewed quarterly.

Previously Alberta announced the following support for Ukraine:

• $1 million to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, organized by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Canada Ukraine Foundation, to help coordinate and deliver humanitarian aid.
• $5 million to the Ukrainian World Congress to equip 5,000 members of the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Force with defensive equipment.
• $5 million to the Canada Ukraine Foundation for additional humanitarian aid.
• $350,000 to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alberta Provincial Council for their campaign coordinating the air shipment of first aid and defensive equipment to Ukraine.