Alberta Issues 1,100+ Invitations Across Four AAIP Draws — Big Boost for In-Province Candidates
Alberta’s provincial immigration authority ran four draws during the final week of October, inviting more than 1,100 candidates across multiple Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) streams. The round of selections — which targeted both employer-supported temporary workers and Express Entry candidates in priority sectors — is part of the province’s ongoing effort to fill urgent labour needs while using its increased 2025 nomination allocation.
These draws illustrate Alberta’s dual strategy: quickly convert in-province temporary workers into provincial nominees while using targeted Express Entry pathways to attract skilled professionals in construction, law enforcement and health care.
What happened (draw summary: October 23–29)
- October 23 — Alberta Opportunity Stream
- Minimum score: 60
- Invitations issued: 900
- Focus: Temporary foreign workers employed in Alberta with eligible full-time job offers from approved Alberta employers. This single draw accounted for the majority of invitations.
- October 24 — Dedicated Health Care Pathway (non-Express Entry)
- Minimum score: 42
- Invitations issued: 142
- Focus: Health-care professionals with qualifying job offers in eligible roles.
- October 28 — Alberta Express Entry Stream — Priority Sectors (Construction)
- Minimum score: 60
- Invitations issued: 60
- Focus: Construction professionals who listed an eligible construction occupation in their Express Entry profile and often hold an Alberta job offer.
- October 29 — Alberta Express Entry Stream — Law Enforcement Pathway
- Minimum score: 46
- Invitations issued: fewer than 10
- Focus: Candidates with job offers from participating law-enforcement employers (Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police members).
Why these draws matter
- Large employer-driven intake: The Alberta Opportunity Stream draw (900 invites) targets workers already embedded in Alberta’s labour market — a fast route to nomination and eventual permanent residence for job-holding temporary workers.
- Sector responsiveness: Targeted pathways (health care, construction, law enforcement) show Alberta is steering nominations toward occupations with immediate shortages.
- Lower score thresholds in some streams: Stream-specific draws frequently have lower minimum scores than general Express Entry draws, making nomination accessible to candidates who may not otherwise meet federal CRS cutoffs.
- Allocation use: After a federal increase in Alberta’s nomination allocation this year, the AAIP continues to deploy slots across several streams to meet both employer and regional needs.
AAIP nominations picture (2025 to date)
- Initial allocation (Jan 2025): 4,875 nomination slots
- Increased allocation (Sept 2025): raised to 6,603 slots
- Nominations issued so far: 5,137
- Remaining nomination spaces: 1,466
Current stream breakdown (selected streams, totals to Nov 5, 2025):
- Alberta Opportunity Stream: allocation 3,656 — issued 2,755 — remaining 901 — EOIs in pool: 31,149
- Rural Renewal Stream: allocation 1,100 — issued 970 — remaining 130 — EOIs: 3,311
- Tourism & Hospitality: allocation 245 — issued 228 — remaining 17 — EOIs: 5,580
- Dedicated Health Care Pathways: allocation 585 — issued 487 — remaining 98 — EOIs: 1,330
- Alberta Express Entry (Accelerated Tech): allocation 291 — issued 309 — (overlapping use) — EOIs: 2,602
- Express Entry Priority Sectors (construction, agriculture, aviation): allocation 660 — issued 447 — remaining 213 — EOIs: 4,215
Practical advice for candidates and employers
- If you’re already working in Alberta: confirm your employer is eligible and your job offer meets AAIP criteria — employer support is critical for streams like the Alberta Opportunity Stream. Keep your work permit and pay stubs ready; provincial officers prioritize demonstrated in-province employment.
- Express Entry candidates: update your Express Entry profile with a current Alberta job offer and correct primary occupation code if you’re in construction, health, tech or law enforcement — sector-aligned draws can be lower threshold and faster.
- Employers should prepare: ensure labour documentation, job-offer letters and employer eligibility are accurate before nomination requests. Some Alberta streams require employer attestations and compliance evidence.
- Monitor allocation use: provinces with increased allocations can run additional draws — stay subscribed to provincial bulletins and check Expression of Interest (EOI) status regularly.
What this means for Alberta’s labour market and immigration goals
Alberta’s October draws demonstrate a pragmatic approach to immigration: use provincial nomination power to retain and convert the province’s existing workforce while selectively importing skilled professionals through targeted Express Entry pathways. That combination helps address urgent sectoral shortages, supports economic recovery, and gives many temporary workers a clear pathway to permanent residence.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
