Alberta Organizes Two PNP Draws

Alberta has been organizing PNP draws regularly in 2021 to invite skilled workers into the province. The immigration numbers dipped in 2020 because of the pandemic but have risen since then. 

Alberta had to stop holding draws in the last few months of 2020. The province started its invitation rounds again in January 2021, and it is allowed to issue 6,250 nomination certificates this year.

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) held two of its largest draws in the last week of August. A total of 450 invitations were issued to candidates in the Express Entry pool on August 23. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for candidates to get invitations was 300. The next draw took place on August 30, which also turned out to be highly successful for the province, with 400 Express Entry candidates receiving invitations. The score cut-off for the August 30 draw was 301.

How does the Alberta Express Entry system operate?

The Alberta Express Entry stream operates as an enhanced Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The provincial government browses the Express Entry pool for eligible candidates with suitable profiles. Candidates who receive provincial nominations usually have a skill-set that fills some gaps in the labor market. They are assigned CRS scores based on age, educational qualifications and work credentials. 

PNPs are ideal for candidates with lower CRS scores because provincial nominees are awarded 600 extra CRS points. With a boosted score, they have a higher chance of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence.