Alberta Invites Over 560 Workers in Five Immigration Draws

Alberta has invited at least 562 workers to apply for provincial nomination through five immigration draws held between October 9 and 20, 2026.

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) targeted candidates working in healthcare, tourism, hospitality, law enforcement and other industries facing labour needs.

Successful applicants can receive a provincial nomination and move forward with their applications for Canadian permanent residence.

Five Draws Target Different Employment Sectors

The province conducted four Express Entry-aligned draws and one selection round under the Tourism and Hospitality Stream.

The largest draw took place on October 20, when Alberta invited 386 candidates through its general priority sectors category. Applicants needed a minimum score of 60.

Other draws included:

• October 16: Fewer than 10 law enforcement candidates received invitations, with a minimum score of 49.
• October 14: Alberta invited 25 tourism and hospitality workers, requiring a score of 73.
• October 13: The Dedicated Health Care Pathway selected 53 Express Entry candidates with scores of at least 57.
• October 9: Another 97 healthcare candidates received invitations, with a minimum score of 60.

The October 20 draw recorded the highest invitation count and lowest qualifying score for its category in 2026.

Alberta Focuses on Essential Industries

Alberta continues to prioritize workers who can support its changing employment needs.

The province's main target industries include healthcare, technology, construction, manufacturing, aviation and agriculture.

Communities participating in the Rural Renewal Stream also remain important to Alberta's immigration strategy.

These selections help the province address workforce shortages while providing eligible foreign workers with opportunities to pursue permanent residence.

More Than 33,000 Candidates Await Selection

Provincial figures published on October 21 showed 33,291 active worker expressions of interest across Alberta's immigration pathways.

The Alberta Opportunity Stream accounted for the largest group, with 21,150 profiles.

The province also recorded 4,566 candidates in priority sector selections and other initiatives, alongside 1,945 profiles under the Accelerated Tech Pathway.

By October 21, Alberta had conducted 89 immigration selection rounds during 2026, issuing at least 14,127 invitations.

However, receiving an invitation does not automatically guarantee provincial nomination or permanent residence.

Alberta Approaches Its Annual Nomination Limit

Alberta had issued 5,831 provincial nominations by October 21, representing approximately 88.3% of its annual allocation of 6,603 spaces.

The province originally received 6,403 nomination spaces before gaining another 200 in August.

Alberta also nominated 50 eligible physicians and 12 French-speaking candidates through additional federal spaces.

Eligible nominees may qualify for bridging open work permits while pursuing permanent residence.

A temporary federal policy introduced on June 9 also provides earlier access for certain tourism and hospitality nominees.

Workers who apply before their existing permits expire may continue working under maintained status, subject to eligibility requirements.