Alberta has released new AAIP draw results, inviting 767 candidates through two immigration pathways in mid-August 2026. Most invitations went to the Alberta Opportunity Stream, while a smaller healthcare-focused draw targeted non-Express Entry candidates. The update also gives a clearer picture of Alberta’s nomination spaces, remaining capacity, and the size of its worker pool.
Alberta issues 767 invitations in two AAIP draws
Alberta has announced two new draws under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), with a combined 767 invitations issued to candidates seeking a provincial nomination for permanent residence. The latest rounds took place between August 14 and August 19, 2026.
The vast majority of invitations went to the Alberta Opportunity Stream, which selected 743 candidates. A second, smaller draw invited 24 people through the Dedicated Health Care Pathway for non-Express Entry applicants. For foreign nationals looking at Provincial Nominee Program options in Canada, this is another sign that Alberta continues to rely heavily on targeted economic immigration to meet labour market needs.
These draws are important because a provincial nomination can significantly strengthen a person’s path to Canadian permanent residence. In some cases, applicants may later connect their nomination to the federal system, while others may continue through a base stream outside Express Entry.
Latest AAIP draw results
| Draw date | Stream or pathway | Invitations issued | Minimum score |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 14, 2026 | Alberta Opportunity Stream | 743 | 58 |
| August 19, 2026 | Dedicated Health Care Pathway (non-Express Entry) | 24 | 60 |
The Alberta Opportunity Stream accounted for nearly all invitations in this update. That draw alone represented about 97% of the total. The healthcare draw was much smaller and, according to the province’s 2026 pattern so far, appears to be the lowest-volume healthcare selection round of the year.
For candidates trying to determine their eligibility, these results show that Alberta is still active across both broad worker streams and sector-specific pathways.
What these draws tell us about Alberta’s immigration priorities
The new results fit closely with Alberta’s broader economic strategy for 2026. The province has publicly signalled that it wants to support sectors facing ongoing labour shortages, including healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and technology. The healthcare-focused draw is one example of that targeted approach.
At the same time, the large Alberta Opportunity Stream draw shows that Alberta is still using general worker pathways to bring in people who are already contributing to the province’s economy. This stream is often relevant to temporary foreign workers already employed in Alberta and looking for a long-term future in Canada.
How AAIP fits into the wider immigration to Canada process
Provincial programmes like AAIP work alongside federal immigration systems managed by IRCC. While many candidates focus first on Express Entry immigration programmes, provincial pathways can be just as important, especially for workers whose profiles align with local labour needs.
Depending on the stream, applicants may need to show work experience, language ability, legal status in Canada, and employer support. Language results may come from approved tests such as IELTS or CELPIP for English, or TEF and TCF for French. In some cases, education completed outside Canada may also require an Educational Credential Assessment, or ECA.
For many applicants, the smartest first step is to explore Canadian immigration pathways in a way that compares both provincial and federal options. Someone who does not currently have a strong federal score may still be competitive through Alberta or another PNP stream.
Why this matters for Express Entry candidates too
Even though one of the latest draws was non-Express Entry, Alberta’s activity matters to federal candidates as well. A provincial nomination linked to Express Entry can dramatically improve an applicant’s ranking under the Comprehensive Ranking System. That is why many people watch provincial draws as closely as federal ones.
If you are already in the federal pool, it may be worth reviewing how to improve your CRS score while also considering provincial opportunities. This can be especially helpful for workers in priority occupations or those with Canadian work experience.
Alberta’s nomination allocation and remaining spaces in 2026
Beyond the draw results, Alberta has also shared updated figures on how many nomination spaces it has for the year and how many have already been used. This gives candidates a better sense of how much room may still be available in different streams.
After a recent increase, Alberta’s 2026 nomination allocation now stands at 6,603 spaces, up from 6,403. As of August 25, the province had already issued 4,560 nominations, leaving 2,043 spaces still available.
Breakdown by stream
| Stream or pathway | 2026 allocation | Nominations issued | Remaining spaces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | 3,562 | 2,551 | 1,011 |
| Rural Renewal Stream | 1,057 | 628 | 429 |
| Tourism and Hospitality Stream | 156 | 140 | 16 |
| Dedicated Health Care Pathways | 518 | 284 | 234 |
| Accelerated Tech Pathway | 619 | 422 | 197 |
| Priority sector draws and initiatives | 619 | 495 | 124 |
The numbers suggest that Alberta still has meaningful space left in several major streams, especially the Alberta Opportunity Stream and Rural Renewal Stream. By contrast, the Tourism and Hospitality Stream appears close to full for the year.
Alberta has also used additional nomination spaces outside its main 2026 allocation for certain groups, including practice-ready physicians and francophone candidates. That reflects a broader trend in Canadian immigration policy, where provinces and the federal government increasingly use targeted selection to respond to specific economic and demographic goals.
What the worker pool numbers mean for applicants
Alberta has also published data on its worker Expression of Interest pool, often called the WEOI pool, as well as the number of applications still awaiting a final decision. These figures are useful because they show how much competition exists in each stream.
As of August 25, there were 36,255 worker profiles in the pool. The Alberta Opportunity Stream alone represented 22,648 of them, or roughly 62.5% of the total. The province also reported 1,335 nomination applications waiting to be finalized.
Selected WEOI pool figures
| Stream or pathway | Profiles in pool | Applications awaiting decision |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | 22,648 | 530 |
| Rural Renewal Stream | 1,273 | 94 |
| Tourism and Hospitality Stream | 1,735 | 7 |
| Dedicated Health Care Pathways | 3,437 | 42 |
| Accelerated Tech Pathway | 2,102 | 189 |
| Priority sector draws and initiatives | 5,012 | 256 |
For applicants, this means two things. First, Alberta remains highly attractive, especially for workers already connected to the province. Second, preparation matters. Strong language scores, complete documentation, valid work status, and a clear understanding of programme rules can make a real difference.
Anyone considering Alberta should also compare it with other routes, such as the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program pathways, federal skilled worker options, or even regional programmes like the Atlantic Immigration Program. The best pathway depends on your occupation, location, work history, language results, and long-term settlement plans.
If you are unsure where you fit, it can help to get a CRS score estimate and compare that with provincial possibilities. Many successful applicants do not rely on only one route; they build a strategy that keeps several realistic options open.
Immigration rules, selection trends, and programme requirements can change quickly, so readers should always confirm current details with IRCC or the relevant province, or speak with a licensed immigration professional before making decisions. EverNorth Immigration is here to help with experienced, caring support at every stage of your move to Canada, from planning to application preparation and beyond. If you would like guidance tailored to your background, you can book your free immigration assessment.
