Alberta issues 1,550 invitations in AAIP draws

Alberta issues 1,550 invitations in AAIP draws

Alberta invited 1,550 candidates to apply for provincial nomination through seven draws held between May 20 and June 2, 2026, under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP).

The invitations targeted workers in sectors identified as priorities, including technology, agriculture, construction, and manufacturing. The results were published by the province on June 2.

These latest rounds form part of Alberta’s broader 2026 immigration activity, with multiple program streams used to select candidates aligned with labour market needs.

• Seven AAIP draws were conducted from May 20 to June 2, 2026
• A total of 1,550 invitations to apply were issued
• Selections focused on sectors such as construction, agriculture, and technology
• More than 64% of invitations were issued through the Alberta Opportunity Stream
• At least 43 draws have been held by Alberta so far in 2026
• Total invitations issued by the province in 2026 reached 7,819

Overview of recent AAIP draws

The seven draws held during the two-week period were conducted across multiple AAIP pathways. The largest share of invitations was issued through the Alberta Opportunity Stream, which accounted for just over 64% of all invitations.

Other streams used in this selection period included the Alberta Express Entry stream, Rural Renewal Stream, and sector-specific pathways targeting industries with workforce demand.

Several draws during this period ranked among the largest conducted in 2026 for their respective streams. These included a technology-focused selection under the Accelerated Tech Pathway and sector-based rounds for agriculture and manufacturing occupations.

Sector-focused selection rounds

Alberta continued to prioritize candidates in key economic sectors through targeted draws. Agriculture and manufacturing occupations were selected through Express Entry-linked pathways in late May.

The province also held a draw specifically focused on construction-related trades on May 20. This marked the first instance in 2026 where trades tied directly to construction were selected in a dedicated round.

Technology occupations were included through the Accelerated Tech Pathway, which operates within the Express Entry system to select candidates with relevant work experience.

AAIP activity and nomination trends in 2026

As of early June 2026, Alberta has conducted a total of 43 draws under the AAIP. These draws have resulted in at least 7,819 invitations issued to candidates seeking provincial nomination.

The Alberta Opportunity Stream has accounted for a significant portion of these invitations, with 4,850 issued through this pathway alone. This stream is designed for candidates already working in Alberta in eligible occupations.

Other streams contributing to the total include Express Entry-aligned pathways, rural-focused programs, and sector-specific initiatives.

Nomination allocation and usage

The federal government allocates a set number of nomination spaces to each province annually. In 2026, Alberta has been assigned thousands of nomination slots, distributed across multiple streams.

As of June 3, the province reported that 2,587 nomination spaces had been used. This leaves 3,816 places still available for the remainder of the year.

Distribution of nominations varies across streams, with the largest allocation assigned to the Alberta Opportunity Stream at 3,425 spaces. Other allocations include 1,000 for the Rural Renewal Stream and 600 for Express Entry priority sector pathways.

Additional allocations are reserved for specialized streams such as healthcare pathways, tourism and hospitality, and entrepreneur categories.

Stream-specific distribution details

Within the 2026 allocation framework, Alberta has issued nominations across several categories. The Alberta Opportunity Stream had issued 1,394 nominations by early June, leaving over 2,000 spaces still available.

The Rural Renewal Stream reported 480 nominations issued, while 250 spaces remained. The Tourism and Hospitality Stream recorded 100 nominations, leaving 50 remaining.

Healthcare pathways, including both Express Entry and non-Express Entry routes, had issued 112 nominations, with 388 still available. Meanwhile, the Accelerated Tech Pathway issued 267 nominations out of its allocation of 600.

Priority sector draws under Express Entry accounted for 213 nominations, while entrepreneur streams issued 17 nominations across their categories.

Additional targeted allocations

Beyond standard allocations, Alberta has used additional nomination spaces to address specific workforce needs. This includes 50 spaces reserved for practice-ready physicians.

Another 12 spaces were allocated to francophone candidates as part of efforts to support French-speaking immigration outside Quebec.

Application inventory and candidate pool

The province also tracks applications and expressions of interest (EOIs) submitted by candidates across its immigration streams. As of June 3, Alberta reported 38,292 worker EOIs in its selection pool.

The majority of these EOIs, approximately 63.4%, were submitted under the Alberta Opportunity Stream. Other streams, including Express Entry pathways and sector-specific categories, account for the remaining share.

In addition to EOIs, there were 1,222 provincial nomination applications awaiting processing at that time.

Breakdown by stream

The Alberta Opportunity Stream had 24,276 EOIs in the pool and 469 applications pending finalization. The Rural Renewal Stream reported 1,928 EOIs and 99 pending applications.

The Tourism and Hospitality Stream had 3,865 EOIs and 27 applications awaiting processing. Healthcare pathways reported 1,432 EOIs and 21 pending cases.

For Express Entry streams, the Accelerated Tech Pathway had 2,149 EOIs and 333 pending applications, while priority sector draws reported 4,577 EOIs and 387 applications in process.

Law enforcement pathways reported a smaller number of EOIs at 65. Entrepreneur streams had 251 applications awaiting processing, though EOI figures were not published.

Position within Canada’s provincial nominee system

The AAIP is one of several provincial immigration programs operating across Canada. These programs allow provinces to select candidates based on regional labour market requirements.

Comparable programs include the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) and others managed by provinces such as Ontario and British Columbia.

Provincial draws, including those conducted by Alberta, are tracked alongside federal selections in resources such as the Alberta draws index, which compiles recent invitation rounds.

Recent developments in draw activity

The May 20 to June 2 period reflects a continued emphasis on occupation-specific selection. Draws targeting manufacturing, agriculture, and construction signal ongoing efforts to address sector-based labour shortages.

Technology-focused draws under the Accelerated Tech Pathway remain a consistent feature of Alberta’s immigration strategy. These draws operate in coordination with the federal Express Entry system.

The use of multiple streams allows Alberta to distribute nominations across a wide range of occupations and regions, including rural communities participating in the Rural Renewal Stream.

Conclusion

With 1,550 invitations issued across seven draws in late May and early June, Alberta continues to advance its 2026 immigration targets through sector-specific and stream-based selections.

As of June 3, the province had issued 2,587 nominations and retained 3,816 remaining spaces, alongside a candidate pool of 38,292 EOIs. These figures indicate ongoing activity within the AAIP as the year progresses.