Alberta Holds New Draws, Invites Almost 900 Immigration Candidates for PR
Alberta Conducts New Immigration Rounds, Nearly 900 Candidates Invited in February
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) continued its active start to 2026 by holding two separate immigration draws in late February, inviting hundreds of foreign workers to seek provincial nomination.
The invitation rounds, conducted on February 20 and February 24, targeted workers in key economic sectors and marked additional selection activity under Alberta’s broader immigration strategy for the year. These draws represent the 11th and 12th selection rounds carried out by the province in 2026.
Also Check out the Alberta Occupation in-demand List
Breakdown of the February Selection Rounds
Across both draws, Alberta issued a total of 899 invitations to eligible candidates in its Worker Expression of Interest (EOI) system.
February 20, 2026
- Stream: Alberta Opportunity Stream – Priority Sectors
- Minimum Score Required: 56
- Invitations Issued: 831
This draw focused heavily on individuals employed in occupations identified as priority areas for Alberta’s labour market. The relatively moderate score threshold enabled a large number of candidates to receive invitations.
February 24, 2026
- Stream: Tourism and Hospitality Stream
- Minimum Score Required: 73
- Invitations Issued: 68
Alberta’s Nomination Allocation for 2026
EOI Pool: Over 45,000 Candidates Await Selection
Distribution of EOIs by Stream
- Alberta Opportunity Stream: 28,916
- Dedicated Health Care Pathways: 1,572
- Rural Renewal Stream: 3,002
- Tourism and Hospitality Stream: 4,758
- Alberta Express Entry – Accelerated Tech Pathway: 2,646
- Alberta Express Entry – Family Connection & Occupation in Demand: 116
- Alberta Express Entry – Law Enforcement Pathway: 88
- Alberta Express Entry – Priority Sector Initiatives: 4,600
Stream-by-Stream Progress Snapshot
Alberta Opportunity Stream
- Allocation: 3,425
- Nominations Issued: 403
- Remaining Spaces: 3,022
- Applications in Process: 483
- Files Currently Being Assessed: Submitted on or before November 1, 2025
Tourism and Hospitality Stream
- Allocation: 150
- Nominations Issued: 32
- Remaining Spaces: 118
- Applications in Process: Fewer than 10
- Files Being Assessed: Submitted on or before February 24, 2026
Rural Renewal Stream
- Allocation: 1,000
- Nominations Issued: Fewer than 10
- Applications in Process: Fewer than 108
- Files Being Assessed: Submitted on or before February 10, 2026
Dedicated Health Care Pathways (Express Entry & Non-Express Entry)
- Allocation: 500
- Nominations Issued: 47
- Remaining Spaces: 453
- Applications in Process: 26
- Files Being Assessed: Submitted on or before February 6, 2026
Alberta Express Entry Streams
Accelerated Tech Pathway:
- Allocation: 600
- Nominations Issued: 54
- Applications in Process: 81
- Assessment Date: November 3, 2025
Priority Sector Initiatives:
- Allocation: 600
- Nominations Issued: 68
- Applications in Process: 59
- Assessment Date: October 26, 2025
Law Enforcement Pathway:
- Allocation: 38
- Nominations Issued: Fewer than 10
- Applications in Process: 59
- Applications in Process: Fewer than 10
Entrepreneur Streams
- Allocation: 90
- Applications Currently in Process: 268
- Files are evaluated upon receipt rather than by published assessment dates.
Detailed Breakdown of February 2026 Draws
Below is the complete overview of invitations issued between February 6 and February 19:
| Draw date | Stream / pathway | Minimum score | Invitations issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 19, 2026 | Alberta Express Entry Stream – Priority Sectors (Construction) | 61 | 50 |
| February 17, 2026 | Alberta Express Entry Stream – Priority Sectors (Agriculture) | 49 | less than 10 |
| February 12, 2026 | Alberta Express Entry Stream – Priority Sectors (Manufacturing) | 50 | 32 |
| February 11, 2026 | Alberta Express Entry Stream – Accelerated Tech Pathway | 59 | 147 |
| February 10, 2026 | Rural Renewal Stream | 54 | 212 |
| February 6, 2026 | Alberta Express Entry Stream – Law Enforcement Pathway | 50 | less than 10 |
The Accelerated Tech Pathway once again demonstrated strong demand, issuing 147 invitations to technology professionals aligned with Alberta’s innovation and digital economy goals. Meanwhile, the Rural Renewal Stream’s 212 invitations highlight Alberta’s ongoing efforts to attract newcomers to smaller communities facing workforce shortages.
Stream-by-Stream Allocation and Pool Data
| Stream / pathway | 2026 allocation | Nominations issued | Spaces remaining | EOIs in selection pool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | 3,425 | 403 | 3,022 | 28,916 |
| Rural Renewal Stream | 1,000 | less than 10 | N/A | 3,002 |
| Tourism and Hospitality Stream | 150 | 32 | 118 | 4,758 |
| Dedicated Health Care Pathways (EE + non-EE) | 500 | 47 | 453 | 1,572 |
| Alberta Express Entry – Accelerated Tech Pathway | 600 | 54 | 546 | 2,646 |
| Alberta Express Entry – Law Enforcement Pathway | 38 | less than 10 | N/A | 88 |
| Alberta Express Entry – Priority sector draws/initiatives | 600 | 68 | 532 | 4,600 |
| Entrepreneur streams | 90 | less than 10 | N/A | N/A |
The Alberta Opportunity Stream continues to hold the largest allocation for 2026, with over 3,000 nomination spaces still available. At the same time, the Rural Renewal and Priority Sector pathways are expected to remain highly competitive due to strong interest and regional labour market needs.
Nomination Quota Status for 2026
For the 2026 calendar year, Alberta has been allocated 6,403 provincial nominations. As of February 5, 2026, the province has issued 405 nominations, leaving 5,964 nomination slots still available. Most nominations granted so far have been issued through the Alberta Opportunity Stream, reinforcing its role as the backbone of Alberta’s provincial immigration framework.
Alberta participates in a federal initiative that allows provinces to nominate practice-ready physicians and francophone applicants under a separate allocation of up to 10,000 spaces nationwide. Nominations issued under this federal measure do not reduce Alberta’s provincial quota.
What This Means for Foreign Workers
Alberta’s continued draw activity early in 2026 signals steady demand for skilled workers across sectors such as tourism, healthcare, technology, and priority occupations under the Alberta Opportunity Stream. With thousands of nomination spaces still available, candidates who meet eligibility criteria and align with Alberta’s labour market priorities may find significant opportunities in the months ahead.
However, with nearly 46,000 profiles in the EOI pool, selection remains competitive, underscoring the importance of strong eligibility credentials and strategic stream selection.
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