Alberta Advantage Immigration Program 2026
Alberta Sets Clear Immigration Priorities for 2026 as Nomination Numbers Rise
According to information released on January 13, 2026, the province has been granted 6,403 nomination spaces for the year. This allocation represents a significant increase compared to Alberta’s original 2025 quota and signals Ottawa’s continued reliance on provinces to address labour shortages through targeted immigration.
Also Check out the Alberta Occupation in-demand List
Alberta Among First Provinces to Confirm 2026 Nomination Plans
With this announcement, Alberta becomes the fourth province or territory to publish its nomination numbers for 2026, following Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Yukon. Unlike most jurisdictions, Alberta has gone a step further by publicly outlining how nominations are expected to be distributed across individual immigration streams.
As of mid-January, Alberta has already begun issuing nominations, with 111 approvals counted against the 2026 allocation.
New Financial Thresholds by Family Size
The adjustment is a 31.94% increase for individual applicants. For example, one must now have at least $10,507 in available funds, a rise from the previous $7,963. Settlement fund balances fluctuate with family size:
| Family Size | Required Funds (as of July 29, 2025) | Previous Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $10,507 | $7,963 |
| 2 | $13,080 | $9,692 |
| 3 | $16,080 | $12,069 |
| 4 | $19,524 | $15,056 |
| 5 | $22,143 | $17,145 |
| 6 | $24,975 | $19,015 |
| 7 | $27,806 | $20,884 |
| Each additional member | $2,831 | $1,869 |
Majority of Nominations Reserved for Workers Already in Alberta
More than half of Alberta’s 2026 nomination spaces are earmarked for candidates under the Alberta Opportunity Stream, which primarily targets temporary foreign workers currently employed in the province.
This approach reinforces Alberta’s long-standing strategy of retaining workers who are already contributing to the local economy, particularly in sectors facing persistent labour gaps.
Planned Distribution Across Immigration Streams
- Alberta Opportunity Stream: The largest share of nominations, reflecting Alberta’s emphasis on in-province workers
- Rural Renewal Stream: A dedicated allocation to support smaller communities struggling to attract and retain talent
- Dedicated Health Care Pathways: Focused on addressing shortages in Alberta’s healthcare system
- Tourism and Hospitality Stream: Targeting workers in hotels, food services, and tourism-related roles
- Alberta Express Entry Stream: Including the Accelerated Tech Pathway, law enforcement, and priority sectors
- Entrepreneur Streams: Supporting business owners and investors contributing to provincial growth
Alberta has emphasized that nomination spaces can be reallocated at any time without prior notice, depending on labour market needs and application volumes.
Key Occupations Alberta Will Prioritize in 2026
- Healthcare
- Technology
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Aviation
- Agriculture
While many of these sectors were also prioritized in 2025, manufacturing has emerged as a new focal point, highlighting growing workforce shortages in industrial and production-related roles. In addition, Alberta will continue to favour applicants with valid job offers in communities participating in the Rural Renewal Stream, helping smaller towns attract skilled workers and families. Importantly, the province has clarified that candidates outside these priority sectors may still receive invitations, depending on labour market conditions and program needs.
Extra Federal Nomination Spaces Could Boost Alberta’s Intake
- Licensed physicians with qualifying job offers
- French-speaking foreign nationals
If Alberta nominates candidates under these federal initiatives, those nominations will be processed on top of the province’s 6,403 allocation, potentially allowing Alberta to welcome even more newcomers in 2026.
- Physicians must hold job offers in eligible medical occupations and meet Alberta’s practice-ready requirements
- Francophone candidates must work in an eligible occupation and demonstrate intermediate French language proficiency
The province has confirmed that these candidates will be processed through existing AAIP streams rather than new programs. Final nomination numbers under these federal initiatives will be announced once confirmed by IRCC.
Strong Competition in Alberta’s Expression of Interest Pool
Demand for the Alberta nomination remains high. As of January 13, 2026, the province reported over 45,000 active Expressions of Interest across its worker streams.
The largest concentration of EOIs remains under the Alberta Opportunity Stream, followed by tourism, Express Entry-linked pathways, and priority sector initiatives. This large candidate pool highlights the competitiveness of Alberta’s provincial immigration system, especially for applicants without job offers or in non-priority occupations.
Applications Still Awaiting Processing
In addition to EOIs, Alberta is currently processing over 1,300 applications across both the worker and entrepreneur streams.
The majority are linked to the Alberta Opportunity Stream and business immigration pathways, reflecting strong interest from both skilled workers and investors.
Looking Back: Alberta’s 2025 Immigration Performance
In 2025, Alberta issued 6,603 provincial nominations, including a small number of additional approvals granted through a federal administrative overage. The province conducted 77 draws, with nearly half targeting Express Entry candidates.
Metro Areas Now Ineligible for Low-Wage LMIA Applications
| Family Size | Minimum Required Funds (Annual) |
|---|---|
| 1 person (student only) | CAD $22,895 |
| 2 people | CAD $28,502 |
| 3 people | CAD $35,040 |
| 4 people | CAD $42,543 |
| 5 people | CAD $48,252 |
| 6 people | CAD $54,420 |
| 7 people | CAD $60,589 |
| Additional family member | CAD $6,170 |
These figures represent a significant increase from the earlier requirement of CAD $20,635 for a single applicant, which had been in effect since January 1, 2024.
What This Means for Prospective Applicants
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