Alberta Immigration Draws 2026 Issue Over 1,100 Invitations Across Key Pathways

Alberta has begun the year with strong provincial selection activity, as Alberta immigration draws 2026 issued a total of 1,169 invitations across multiple immigration streams between January 26 and February 2. The invitations were distributed through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), targeting candidates in healthcare, technology, and employer-driven pathways that address immediate labour shortages across the province.

These early draws signal Alberta’s continued reliance on provincial immigration to support workforce growth, particularly in sectors facing persistent hiring challenges. With thousands of nomination spaces still available for the year, the province is expected to maintain regular selection activity throughout 2026.

Distribution of Invitations Across Streams

During the one-week selection period, invitations were issued through 4 different pathways:

• Alberta Opportunity Stream: 915 invitations
• Accelerated Tech Pathway (Express Entry): 148 invitations
• Dedicated Health Care Pathway – Express Entry: 63 invitations
• Dedicated Health Care Pathway – Non-Express Entry: 43 invitations
  

The Alberta Opportunity Stream accounted for nearly 78% of all invitations issued during this period, highlighting the province’s focus on candidates already working in Alberta or holding valid job offers from provincial employers.

Alberta Immigration Draws 2026: Priority Sectors Guiding Selections

Alberta has confirmed that nominations and invitations in 2026 will prioritize workers in sectors that support long-term economic development, including:

• Healthcare and medical services
• Technology and innovation
• Construction and skilled trades
• Manufacturing and aviation
• Agriculture and rural development
• Rural Renewal Stream communities

However, provincial officials have also indicated that invitations may still be issued outside these sectors depending on labour market conditions and employer demand.

Nomination Allocation and Remaining Spaces

For 2026, Alberta has received a nomination allocation of 6,403 provincial nominations, with 405 nominations already issued as of early February. This leaves thousands of available spaces for upcoming draws, suggesting continued selection rounds in the months ahead.

Additionally, Alberta has noted that certain nominations issued for practice-ready physicians and francophone candidates under federal initiatives will not count toward the provincial allocation, allowing the province to support additional skilled newcomers beyond its annual limit.

A snapshot of stream allocations shows significant capacity remaining in major pathways such as:

• Alberta Opportunity Stream: over 3,100 spaces remaining
• Accelerated Tech Pathway: more than 560 spaces remaining
• Dedicated Health Care Pathways: over 460 spaces remaining
  

With more than 45,000 candidates currently in the Expression of Interest pool, competition for invitations remains strong, particularly in high-demand occupations.

What This Means for Candidates

The strong start to the year indicates that Alberta is actively selecting candidates aligned with labour shortages and employer-driven needs. Applicants working in priority sectors, those holding job offers in Alberta, and candidates with provincial work experience may continue to have competitive advantages in upcoming selections.

In conclusion, Alberta immigration draws 2026 demonstrates the province’s early-year focus on targeted economic immigration, with substantial nomination capacity still available and additional invitation rounds expected throughout the year.