Alberta issues 332 invitations in April AAIP draws
Alberta conducted four immigration draws between April 8 and April 14, 2026, issuing a total of 332 invitations through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). The draws targeted candidates across multiple economic streams aligned with provincial labour needs.
The invitations were distributed among technology workers, construction and skilled trades candidates, health care professionals, and individuals connected to rural communities. The selection reflects Alberta’s ongoing focus on addressing workforce shortages in priority sectors.
These draws form part of the province’s broader 2026 nomination allocation under Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program framework, which allows Alberta to select candidates for permanent residence.
- 332 invitations issued across four draws from April 8 to April 14, 2026
- Selections covered tech, health care, construction, and rural pathways
- The largest draw was held under the Accelerated Tech Pathway
- Minimum scores ranged from 50 to 60 across streams
- Alberta has issued 1,634 nominations so far in 2026
Details of April 2026 AAIP draws
The April 8 to 14 selection rounds covered four distinct pathways under the AAIP. Each draw applied specific eligibility criteria and minimum score thresholds depending on the stream.
The largest number of invitations was issued on April 8 through the Alberta Express Entry Stream’s Accelerated Tech Pathway. This draw accounted for 146 invitations with a minimum score requirement of 59.
Other draws included 74 invitations through the Rural Renewal Stream on April 9 with a cutoff score of 50. On April 13, 62 invitations were issued under the Dedicated Health Care Pathway aligned with Express Entry, requiring a minimum score of 59.
The final draw in this period took place on April 14 and invited 50 candidates through a Priority Sectors pathway focused on construction and skilled trades, with a minimum score of 60.
AAIP activity and nomination allocation in 2026
As of mid-April, Alberta has conducted 27 draws in 2026. A significant portion of invitations this year has been issued through the Alberta Opportunity Stream, which represents the largest share of the province’s allocation.
The federal government has provided Alberta with 6,403 nomination spaces for 2026. By April 15, the province had used 1,634 of these nominations, leaving 4,769 still available for the remainder of the year.
At the same time, AAIP reported 1,535 applications in its processing inventory across all streams and pathways. These applications represent candidates who have already been invited and are awaiting a final decision.
Distribution of nominations by stream
Alberta allocates its nominations among various immigration streams based on labour market priorities. The Alberta Opportunity Stream has the largest allocation at 3,425 nominations for 2026, with 996 already issued.
The Rural Renewal Stream has been assigned 1,000 spaces, with 218 used so far. Health care pathways, combining both Express Entry and non-Express Entry streams, have a combined allocation of 500 nominations, of which 88 have been issued.
The Accelerated Tech Pathway under the Express Entry stream has 600 allocated spots, with 152 already used. Additional allocations include priority sector draws, tourism and hospitality, and entrepreneur streams, each receiving smaller portions of the overall quota.
Candidate pool and application inventory
AAIP maintains an Expression of Interest (EOI) system for selecting candidates across several of its worker streams. As of April 15, there were 42,373 EOIs registered, excluding entrepreneur categories.
The Alberta Opportunity Stream represents the majority of candidates in the selection pool, accounting for 27,184 EOIs. Other streams, including tourism and hospitality, priority sector pathways, and the Accelerated Tech Pathway, also maintain active candidate pools.
Application volumes awaiting processing vary by stream. The Alberta Opportunity Stream had 656 applications in progress, while the Rural Renewal Stream reported 265 pending applications.
Health care pathways and tourism-related streams showed smaller inventories, reflecting more limited intake volumes. Entrepreneur streams collectively reported 265 applications under review.
Focus on key sectors and regional needs
Alberta has identified several sectors for targeted immigration selection in 2026, including health care, technology, construction, manufacturing, aviation, and agriculture. These sectors correspond to sustained labour shortages across the province.
Rural immigration also remains a priority, with candidates selected through the Rural Renewal Stream requiring job offers from designated communities. This approach is intended to support population growth and workforce stability outside major urban centres.
Provincial nominee programs across Canada, including Alberta’s, operate alongside other pathways such as those managed through systems like the MPNP points calculator, which assess candidate eligibility under different regional criteria.
Recent draw trends
The April draws follow a series of five selections held between March 17 and March 27, during which more than 290 invitations were issued. Recent draw activity indicates consistent issuance of invitations across multiple sectors.
The continued focus on sector-specific pathways highlights Alberta’s strategy of targeting occupations that support economic growth and address labour shortages. Each draw applies distinct criteria depending on program requirements and labour market priorities.
Further AAIP draw activity is expected throughout the year as Alberta continues to use its remaining nomination allocation.
Additional updates on provincial immigration programs and draw activity are published regularly as part of ongoing coverage of Canada’s immigration system.