PNP
Alberta Issues 767 New AAIP Invitations: What the August 2026 Draws Show
Alberta held two Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) draws in August 2026, inviting a combined 767 candidates. The Alberta Opportunity Stream draw on August 14 invited 743 candidates at a minimum score of 58, while the Dedicated Health Care Pathway draw on August 19 invited 24 non-Express Entry candidates at a minimum score of 60. The province’s year-to-date AAIP total now stands at 11,585.
A Two-Track Approach: Workers and Health Professionals
Rather than a single large draw, Alberta split its August activity across two distinct pools. The first, larger round drew from the Alberta Opportunity Stream, the province’s main channel for foreign workers already employed in Alberta with an eligible job offer.
The second, smaller round focused exclusively on the Dedicated Health Care Pathway, a route reserved for internationally trained health professionals working in the province. Unlike most AAIP streams, this pathway does not run through the federal Express Entry system.
Immigration analysts note that pairing a broad worker draw with a targeted health care draw in the same week reflects Alberta’s dual priorities: sustaining general labour market flow while addressing acute staffing needs in health care.
Behind the Numbers: The Alberta Opportunity Stream
The Alberta Opportunity Stream draw used a cut-off of 58 points, calculated against Alberta’s own scoring grid rather than the federal Comprehensive Ranking System used in Express Entry. Points are awarded for factors such as current Alberta employment, occupation demand, education, and language proficiency.
A cut-off of 58 falls toward the lower end of the range seen in recent AOS rounds, indicating the province drew from a broader segment of its candidate pool this time rather than restricting invitations to only top-scoring profiles.
The Dedicated Health Care Pathway, Explained
The Dedicated Health Care Pathway targets designated health occupations, including nursing and allied health roles, and is open to candidates without requiring an Express Entry profile or CRS score. This design choice removes a step that often slows down health worker applications elsewhere in the immigration system.
The August 19 cut-off of 60 points is a useful reference for health workers already employed in Alberta who are weighing whether to pursue provincial nomination through this specific channel.
2026 So Far: A Steady Pace
Including this round, Alberta has issued 11,585 AAIP invitations in 2026. The frequency of draws across AOS, the Dedicated Health Care Pathway, and Alberta’s other streams suggests the province intends to keep issuing invitations at a similar clip through the remainder of the year.
For prospective applicants, this pattern is a signal worth watching: provinces that draw consistently, rather than sporadically, tend to offer more predictable timelines for candidates monitoring their eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AAIP?
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program is Alberta’s provincial nominee program, allowing the province to nominate candidates for Canadian permanent residence based on its own labour market priorities.
Is the Alberta Opportunity Stream tied to Express Entry?
No. It is a base, non-Express Entry stream with its own scoring grid, although candidates with an Express Entry profile may also be considered through an aligned version of the stream in other draws.
Who can apply through the Dedicated Health Care Pathway?
Candidates working in designated health occupations in Alberta, provided their role appears on the province’s eligible occupation list.
How often does Alberta hold AAIP draws?
Alberta issues invitations on a rolling basis, typically several times a month, with frequency and cut-offs varying by stream and labour market conditions.
What is Alberta’s AAIP total for 2026 so far?
As of the August 19 draw, Alberta has invited 11,585 candidates through AAIP streams in 2026.
Does a lower minimum score mean it’s easier to qualify?
A lower cut-off generally means a wider range of candidate profiles were invited in that particular round, but eligibility still depends on meeting each stream’s specific requirements.
Stay Ahead of Provincial Nominee Program Changes
AAIP cut-off scores shift with nearly every draw. Canada Immigration News tracks every provincial nominee round across the country and publishes updates as soon as results are announced. Subscribe to our newsletter to get PNP draw results delivered directly to your inbox.
