Between May 20 and June 2, 2026, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) held seven provincial immigration draws, issuing a cumulative 1,550 invitations to apply for provincial nomination.
This series of draws marks several milestones for the AAIP, including the program’s first-ever selection round specifically targeting skilled trades in the construction sector.
Draw Breakdown by Stream
Invitations were distributed across three main streams, with the Alberta Opportunity Stream receiving the largest allocation:
| Stream / Pathway | 2026 Allocation | Nominations Issued | Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | 3,425 | 1,394 | 2,031 |
| Rural Renewal Stream | 1,000 | 480 | 250 * |
| Tourism and Hospitality Stream | 150 | 100 | 50 |
| Dedicated Health Care Pathways | 500 | 112 | 388 |
| EE Accelerated Tech Pathway | 600 | 267 | 333 |
| EE Law Enforcement Pathway | 38 | <10 | N/A |
| EE Priority Sector Draws | 600 | 213 | 387 |
| Entrepreneur Streams | 90 | 17 | 73 |
* Rural Renewal Stream remaining includes nominations still in processing
Key Selection Rounds
Several draws in this series were the largest of their kind so far in 2026:
- May 20 — Construction Trades: The AAIP’s first-ever draw specifically targeting skilled trades in the construction sector, under the Express Entry Priority Sector pathway
- May 21 — Manufacturing: Priority sector draw targeting manufacturing occupations
- May 22 — Agriculture: Priority sector draw for agricultural workers
- May 27 — Alberta Opportunity Stream: Major selection round under the province’s largest stream
- May 29 — Accelerated Tech Pathway: Express Entry draw for tech professionals
AAIP Nomination Update
As of June 3, 2026, Alberta has used 2,587 of its 6,403 federal nomination slots, leaving 3,816 remaining for the rest of the year.
Year to date, the AAIP has invited a total of 7,819 candidates across all streams to apply for provincial nomination — significantly more than the allocated nomination slots, reflecting that not all invited candidates ultimately submit complete applications or receive provincial nomination.
The Alberta Opportunity Stream continues to dominate, accounting for 4,850 of all invitations issued so far in 2026.
How to Apply for AAIP
Candidates interested in Alberta’s provincial nomination must first create an Express Entry profile or submit an Expression of Interest directly to the AAIP, depending on the stream.
Key sectors prioritized by Alberta include:
- Technology: Software engineers, data scientists, IT project managers
- Construction: Skilled trades, project managers, site supervisors
- Agriculture: Farm operators, agricultural managers
- Manufacturing: Production supervisors, industrial engineers
- Healthcare: Nurses, physicians, health technicians
- Tourism and Hospitality: Hotel and restaurant managers, chefs
With 3,816 nomination spaces still available and regular weekly to bi-weekly draw schedules, Alberta remains one of the most active provincial nomination programs in Canada for skilled workers in 2026.