Alberta PNP 2026: 6,403 Nomination Slots Announced!

AAIP 2026 Nomination Allocation: What Alberta Immigration Candidates Need to Know

Key Highlights

• Alberta receives 6,403 nominations for 2026 — a 31% increase from the original 2025 allocation.
• Over half of nominations are earmarked for the Alberta Opportunity Stream.
• Healthcare, tech, construction, and manufacturing are top priority sectors.
• Physicians and French-speaking applicants may qualify for extra federal nomination spaces beyond the AAIP cap.
• As of mid-January, Alberta has already issued over 100 nominations for 2026.
• Thousands of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are currently in the pool, indicating high competition.

What’s New with Alberta’s Immigration Nomination Allocation for 2026?

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is starting off 2026 on a strong note, with a significant boost in its nomination numbers. The federal government has allocated **6,403 nomination spaces** to Alberta for the year—up from the original 4,875 nominations set for 2025. This increase of approximately 31% reflects Alberta’s growing importance in Canada’s immigration landscape and its ongoing need for skilled workers across various industries.

The announcement was made public on January 13, 2026, and Alberta has already issued **111 nominations** toward this year’s total. Alberta is now the fourth province in Canada to release its nomination figures for 2026, joining the ranks of **Saskatchewan**, **British Columbia**, and **Yukon**.

Let’s dive into how these nominations will be distributed—and what it all means if you’re hoping to make Alberta your home through the AAIP.

How Will Alberta’s Nomination Spaces Be Distributed in 2026?

One of the things Alberta does better than most provinces is transparency. It’s currently the only province that provides a clear, stream-by-stream breakdown of how it plans to allocate its nominations.

Here’s how things are shaping up for 2026:

It’s worth noting that this distribution isn’t fixed—it may change as the year progresses based on program needs or shifts in demand.

AAIP’s 2026 Immigration Priorities: Who’s in Demand?

If you’re wondering what types of jobs Alberta is prioritizing this year, here’s a quick snapshot. The province is focusing on sectors that are essential to its economic growth and recovery:

• Healthcare
• Technology
• Construction
• Manufacturing (new for 2026!)
• Aviation
• Agriculture

Manufacturing has officially joined the list of high-priority sectors this year, suggesting a new or growing labour shortage in that area.

In addition, Alberta is continuing to support rural development by prioritizing candidates with valid job offers in communities participating in the **Rural Renewal Stream**.

Keep in mind: while these sectors are top priority, the province may still issue nominations outside of them. So, even if your occupation isn’t on this list, you could still have a shot.

Special Nomination Opportunities: Physicians and Francophones

Here’s an exciting bonus: in 2026, Alberta might be able to nominate more than its 6,403 allocation—thanks to a federal plan to support in-demand professions across the country.

Canada is setting aside **10,000 additional nomination spaces** for two key groups:

• Licensed physicians with job offers in Canada (5,000 spots)
• French-speaking foreign nationals (5,000 spots)

Nominations under these special initiatives won’t count toward Alberta’s 6,403 allocation. That means even more candidates could secure a provincial nomination through AAIP.

To qualify:

• Physicians need a job offer in NOC codes 31100, 31101, or 31102, and must meet Alberta’s requirements for its Dedicated Healthcare Pathway.
• Francophones must work in an eligible occupation and demonstrate at least **NCLC level 5** in all four French language skills.

More details on how these federal spaces will be distributed across provinces are still to come.

What’s Happening Behind the Scenes? EOIs and Applications in Queue

As of January 13, Alberta’s EOI pool was quite full—with **45,659 Expressions of Interest** already submitted. Here’s a breakdown of where those applications are coming from:

On top of that, Alberta has **1,386 applications currently awaiting processing**, mostly from the Alberta Opportunity Stream.

How Did Alberta Do in 2025?

Looking back at 2025, Alberta issued a total of **6,603 nominations**, including some extras granted by IRCC. Of those selected, a significant **85% were already working in Alberta** as temporary foreign workers.

The Alberta Opportunity Stream dominated the draw activity, despite the province conducting **77 invitation rounds**, with **38 targeting Express Entry candidates**.

If you’re curious how the AAIP compares to other popular Provincial Nominee Programs, check out our overview of the Manitoba PNP.

Final Thoughts: A Big Year Ahead for Alberta Immigration

With a boosted nomination cap, clear sector priorities, and extra federal immigration spaces on the table, 2026 is shaping up to be a golden opportunity for skilled workers looking to settle in Alberta.

Whether you’re an IT professional, healthcare worker, or an entrepreneur eyeing the Prairies, it’s a great time to explore your options and get your application ready.

Want to see if you qualify for an Alberta PNP stream? Use our free eligibility tool and take the first step toward your Canadian dream.

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