Alberta AAIP Holds 6 New Draws Issuing 1,630 Invitations in 2026

Alberta has intensified its provincial immigration activity with the release of six new draw results under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). These rounds of invitations, announced on February 18, 2026, highlight Alberta’s targeted approach to selecting skilled workers who meet the province’s evolving labour market needs. With 1,630 invitations issued so far in 2026, Alberta is demonstrating a strong commitment to attracting talent in key economic sectors, including technology, healthcare, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and rural development.

The province’s strategy is designed to support employers facing labour shortages while ensuring long-term economic growth across both urban and rural regions. These draws reinforce Alberta’s position as one of Canada’s most active Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) this year.

Summary of Alberta’s Latest AAIP Draws

The recent invitation rounds covered multiple streams and pathways:

• February 6, 2026: Alberta Express Entry Stream – Law Enforcement Pathway (up to 10 invitations)
• February 10, 2026: Rural Renewal Stream – 212 invitations
• February 11, 2026: Accelerated Tech Pathway – 147 invitations
• Priority Sector Draws: Over 90 invitations issued for construction, manufacturing, and agriculture sectors

These draws reflect Alberta’s flexible approach, targeting occupations that align directly with provincial economic priorities.

2026 Nomination Allocation and Progress

Alberta received a total nomination allocation of 6,403 nominations for 2026. According to the latest processing update:

• Nominations issued: 612
• Nomination spaces remaining: 5,791
• Applications currently being processed: 1,032

This shows that Alberta still has significant room for future draws throughout the year, providing strong opportunities for skilled workers considering provincial nomination.

Priority Sectors Driving Invitations

Alberta has clearly outlined its priority sectors for 2026, which include:

• Healthcare
• Technology
• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Aviation
• Agriculture
• Rural Renewal communities

These sectors reflect areas where employers face persistent recruitment challenges. By aligning immigration invitations with workforce demand, Alberta is working to reduce shortages and support sustainable economic growth.

Additional Federal Immigration Spaces

An important development for 2026 is the allocation of additional federal immigration spaces for:

• Practice-ready physicians
• Francophone candidates

Any nominations issued under this special federal initiative will not count toward Alberta’s main allocation, giving the province additional flexibility to attract specialized professionals without reducing opportunities for other applicants.

EOI Pool Competition and Candidate Numbers

The Worker Expression of Interest (EOI) pool remains highly competitive. Current figures include:

• Alberta Opportunity Stream – 28,916 profiles
• Rural Renewal Stream – 3,002 profiles
• Accelerated Tech Pathway – 2,646 profiles
• Priority Sector Draws – 4,600 profiles
• Total Worker EOI pool – 45,698 candidates

Because AAIP draws are not scheduled, candidates must maintain updated profiles and monitor announcements regularly.

What Makes Alberta’s Approach Unique

Unlike programs that rely mainly on points, Alberta considers additional factors beyond EOI scores, such as:

• Occupation demand
• Regional economic needs
• Work experience
• Community priorities

This approach allows Alberta to respond quickly to changing labour conditions and issue invitations where talent is needed most.

What Applicants Should Do Next

Candidates interested in Alberta immigration should:

• Keep Express Entry profiles updated
• Ensure correct NOC alignment
• Maintain valid language scores and documents
• Target occupations listed in Alberta’s priority sectors
• Consider rural opportunities, which often have faster pathways

Given the high number of remaining nomination spots, 2026 could present strong opportunities for applicants aligned with Alberta’s workforce goals. With 1,630 invitations issued already and thousands of nomination spaces still available, Alberta remains one of the most active and opportunity-rich provinces under Canada’s immigration system in 2026. The AAIP’s targeted draws across technology, rural development, law enforcement, and priority sectors show a clear strategy focused on filling labour gaps while supporting long-term economic resilience. For skilled workers seeking provincial nomination, Alberta’s evolving program structure continues to offer a strong and competitive pathway to Canadian permanent residence.