Alberta has kicked off 2026 with a major immigration push. The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has confirmed that between January 26 and February 2, 2026, the province issued 1,169 invitations to eligible candidates across four provincial nominee draws.
These draws targeted candidates working in health care, technology, and Alberta-based occupations, clearly showing the province’s continued demand for skilled workers who can support its economy and public services.
AAIP Draw Results: January 26 – February 2, 2026
| Draw Date | Stream / Pathway | Invitations Issued | Cut-off Score |
| February 2, 2026 | Alberta Opportunity Stream | 915 | 57 |
| January 29, 2026 | Alberta Express Entry – Accelerated Tech Pathway | 148 | 63 |
| January 27, 2026 | Dedicated Health Care Pathway (Non-Express Entry) | 43 | 45 |
| January 26, 2026 | Dedicated Health Care Pathway (Express Entry) | 63 | 61 |
| Total | — | 1,169 | — |
The largest draw was held on February 2, where Alberta issued 915 invitations under the Alberta Opportunity Stream alone. The lowest cut-off score of 45 was recorded in the non-Express Entry Health Care draw, making it one of the most accessible selections of the year so far.
What Alberta Is Prioritising in 2026
For 2026, Alberta has confirmed that AAIP draws will mainly focus on applicants working in high-demand sectors, including:
- Health care
- Technology
- Construction and manufacturing
- Aviation and agriculture
- Rural and smaller Alberta communities
However, Alberta has also clarified that invitations can be issued outside these priority sectors, depending on labour market needs and candidate profiles.
Selection is not based on cut-off score alone. Alberta may also consider factors such as Alberta work experience, occupation demand, licensed physician status, and French-language ability.
Alberta’s 2026 Nomination Allocation Status
| Category | Figures |
| Total AAIP nomination allocation (2026) | 6,403 |
| Nominations issued so far | 405 |
| Remaining nomination spaces | 5,964 |
Most nominations issued so far this year have come through the Alberta Opportunity Stream, highlighting strong opportunities for candidates already working in the province.
Alberta also confirmed that practice-ready physicians and Francophone candidates may be nominated under a separate federal allocation of up to 10,000 spaces, which does not count toward Alberta’s annual quota creating additional opportunities for eligible applicants.
AAIP Stream-Wise Snapshot (As of February 5, 2026)
| Stream / Pathway | 2026 Allocation | Nominations Issued | Spaces Remaining | EOIs in Pool |
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | 3,425 | 255 | 3,170 | 28,412 |
| Rural Renewal Stream | 1,000 | Less than 10 | N/A | 3,185 |
| Tourism and Hospitality Stream | 150 | 29 | 121 | 4,928 |
| Dedicated Health Care Pathways (EE & Non-EE) | 500 | 34 | 466 | 1,406 |
| Alberta Express Entry – Accelerated Tech Pathway | 600 | 34 | 566 | 2,653 |
| Alberta Express Entry – Law Enforcement Pathway | 38 | Less than 10 | N/A | 91 |
| Alberta Express Entry – Priority Sector Draws | 600 | 48 | 518 | 4,371 |
| Total EOI Pool (All Worker Streams) | — | — | — | 45,276 |
AAIP Processing Update
| Category | Number |
| Applications currently in processing | 1,006 |
What This Means for Applicants
With thousands of nomination spaces still available in 2026, Alberta remains one of the strongest provincial pathways to Canadian permanent residence, especially for candidates with Alberta work experience, job offers, or skills in priority sectors.
Planning early is key most applicants miss out simply because they don’t prepare their profiles in advance.
Thinking about Alberta PR in 2026?
Oasis Visas can help you check your eligibility, choose the right AAIP stream, and prepare a strong application.
