As of April 2009, the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program has introduced a US Visa Holder Category focused on H-1B Visa holders. This immigration program enables skilled foreign workers on US Work Visas to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence with the intention of working in Alberta. This program is designed fill occupational shortages in certain high priority employment sectors in Alberta. The US Visa Holder Category is a fast track application process resulting in Canadian Permanent Residence.
In order to qualify for the US Visa Holder Category, the following has to be met:
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The Applicant must demonstrate an intention to live permanently in Alberta; |
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The Applicant must be currently working in the US and possess a visa in one of the following categories: H1-B, H1-B1, H-1C, E-3; |
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The Applicant must continue to hold the US work visa at the time a final decision is made on the application; |
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The Applicant must have a minimum of one year of work experience in the US while holding one of the qualifying visas; and |
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The Applicant’s current occupation must be on the Alberta “Occupations Under Pressure List.” There are currently some 80 occupations on the list. The general categories of listed occupations include:
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For more information on the Alberta US Visa Holders Category contact Niren and Associates Immigration Lawyers at 416 410 7484 or email us at info@visaplace.com
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
