Alberta, Ontario and Yukon Close Pilot Programs

Recent decisions by Alberta, Ontario, and the Yukon to end specific immigration trial programs have limited opportunities in these provinces.

The three pilot initiatives were initially launched in Alberta, Ontario, and Yukon to entice select Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) and their spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children who are of working age by offering open work permits without an LMIA or job offer.

However, in this article, we’ll be discussing the Alberta, Ontario and Yukon Close Pilot Programs and what they entail. 

We’ll discuss each of them respectively. Let’s begin with the Alberta Close Pilot Program. 

Alberta Close Pilot Program 

The working-age dependents (ages 18 to 22) of highly skilled TFWs employed in Alberta, as well as the spouses and common-law partners of TFWs employed as long-haul truck drivers in Alberta, were all eligible.

The Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AAIT) certified TFWs who worked for the province were also eligible for two-year job-based work permits as steamfitters, welders, heavy-duty equipment mechanics, ironworkers, industrial mechanics, carpenters, and estimators.

Ontario Close Pilot Program 

In Ontario, under the pilot project, working-age dependents (minimum 14 years of age) of highly trained TFWs employed in managerial (NOC 0), professional (NOC A), or skilled trades (NOC B) jobs were also eligible for open work permit.

Yukon Close Pilot Program

To work for registered businesses in the oil, gas, mineral exploration, mining, tourist, and hospitality sectors, qualified TFWs in the Yukon were eligible for work permits.

The goal of the YCP is to encourage immigrants to settle in Yukon towns to support economic growth and meet the demands of the labor market by experimenting with new methods of permanent immigration.

Whitehorse is one of the six participating communities in Yukon.

 Once the applicant receives a successful nomination from Yukon for permanent residency, they will be eligible for a 2-year location-restricted work visa under the YCP.

Let’s see some of the eligibility criteria for this program.

Eligibility Criteria

If an applicant satisfies the following criteria after receiving a nomination certificate from the Yukon government, they will be qualified for a work permit:

• Jobs must be non-seasonal, from the same Yukon participating community, must total 30 hours per week, and be located there.

• The pay must be at least as much as the minimum wage (at least $14 per hour).
• The job duties must align with the applicant’s experience.
• They must have two or three qualified job offers in addition to a nomination letter from the Yukon government.
• Must have consented to the Yukon government’s letter of support.

Note:  To qualify for this specific work visa, the applicant must get the provincial nomination and at least two or three employment offers while his or her PR is being processed.

Let’s have a rundown of the application for the Yukon Close Pilot Program. 

Read Also: How To Apply For a Canadian Work Permit

Application Process

The Yukon Community Pilot Program application is available online, and the steps are as follows:

• Register for an account on Yukon’s official website.
• Complete and submit documentation unique to your community
• Pay for the visa
• Send in your application

Therefore, even if these three pilot programs have been stopped, foreign nationals with relevant job experience in Canada still have access to a wide range of fantastic opportunities.

Through the Canadian Experience Class, foreign people having at least a year of skilled work experience in Canada and a proficient level of English are qualified for permanent residence (CEC).

Other provincial programs or the Federal Skilled Worker Program(FSWP) may be available to foreign nationals who have less than a year of relevant experience in Canada.

One of the most well-known immigration programs in Canada, the FSWP enables foreign nationals to seek permanent residency in the country provided they achieve a points requirement determined by their education, language ability, work experience, and other considerations.

FAQ

Conclusion

This article has discussed the Alberta, Ontario and Yukon Close Pilot Programs. 

These programs were great opportunities for foreign residents to get open work permits without a job offer or LMIA. 

Although these programs are no longer available, there are other options you could consider as shown in this article. 

If you have any questions concerning these pilot programs, do well to share them with us in the comments section.