The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has continued to move aggressively in 2026, conducting two provincial immigration draws that together issued 899 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) toward permanent residence for foreign workers. These were part of Alberta’s ongoing efforts to meet labour market needs and use its provincial nomination spaces efficiently under its 2026 allocation.
Here’s a breakdown of what happened in these recent AAIP draws and what it means for candidates.
đź“Š Two AAIP Draws Held in Late February 2026
Alberta held two Expression of Interest (EOI) selection rounds in late February, each targeting different streams within the AAIP:
🗓 February 20, 2026 — Alberta Opportunity Stream (Priority Sectors)
- đź“Ť Stream focus: Priority sectors under the Alberta Opportunity Stream
- 🎟 Invitations issued: 831
- 🔢 Minimum EOI score: 56
The Alberta Opportunity Stream is designed for foreign workers already living and working in Alberta with a valid job offer in an eligible occupation, and this draw focused on those in sectors identified as high priority for Alberta’s economy.
🗓 February 24, 2026 — Tourism and Hospitality Stream
- đź“Ť Stream focus: Tourism and Hospitality
- 🎟 Invitations issued: 68
- 🔢 Minimum EOI score: 73
This marked the first Tourism and Hospitality Stream draw of the year, inviting workers tied to Alberta’s tourism and service sectors where labour demand remains strong.
đź“Ť What This Means for Candidates
Together, these two draws delivered 899 ITAs, giving a significant group of foreign workers a chance to pursue permanent residence through Alberta’s provincial nominee pathway.
The inclusion of priority sector draws and designated tourism/hospitality selections reflects Alberta’s ongoing focus on attracting workers whose skills meet specific local labour needs — from essential service roles to sector-specific economic demand.
đź“Š AAIP 2026 Nomination Allocation and Selection Context
Alberta’s 2026 provincial nomination allocation from the federal government stands at 6,403 spaces for the AAIP. As of late February 2026, the program had issued 612 nominations toward this allocation, leaving 5,791 spaces to be filled across the remainder of the year. At the same time, Alberta reports 45,698 worker EOIs currently in its candidate pool across various streams.
This large number of EOIs highlights the level of competition and diversity of talent seeking to qualify for Alberta provincial nomination.
🧠Why Alberta’s AAIP Draws Matter
The AAIP is one of Canada’s most active provincial nominee programs, helping skilled and semi-skilled workers transition to permanent residence while addressing Alberta’s labour and economic needs. It includes several streams such as:
- Alberta Opportunity Stream – for workers already living and working full-time in Alberta.
- Tourism and Hospitality Stream – for workers in Alberta’s vital service industries.
- Express Entry-aligned pathways – such as tech, health care, and priority sectors through the Alberta Express Entry Stream.
- Other streams like the Rural Renewal Stream and Dedicated Health Care pathways.
Provincial nomination through AAIP also provides a boost to the federal Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) when applicable — adding 600 points to a candidate’s score and often guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
đź“Ś Final Takeaway
Alberta’s recent AAIP activity shows strong momentum in provincial immigration draws early in 2026. By issuing nearly 900 invitations across two focused streams, the province is actively targeting workers whose skills align with its priority sectors — from workers already contributing to the Alberta economy to those in tourism and hospitality.
If you’re seeking Canadian permanent residence and your occupation aligns with Alberta’s priorities, staying updated on AAIP draw results and maintaining an accurate Expression of Interest profile will be key to maximizing your chances.
