Alberta Targets Labour Shortages with Sector-Specific PNP Draws
Alberta Focuses Immigration Efforts on Labour Shortages with Sector-Led PNP Draws
Through a series of targeted draws under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), the Alberta government continued its aggressive immigration strategy in July 2025, inviting skilled foreign workers to apply. The province’s growing emphasis on addressing talent shortages across critical economic sectors is reflected in these most recent invitation rounds.
This latest selection round took place on May 1, 2025, and focused exclusively on skilled workers outside Canada.
- Draw Highlights by Stream
Two Weeks and Six Draws Emphasize the Needs for Workers in Alberta
Here’s a quick overview of the draws:
- July 3: 36 healthcare professionals received invitations under the Express Entry-aligned Dedicated Healthcare Pathway.
- July 4: Agriculture professionals were the focus, with 15 invitations sent under a priority sector Express Entry draw.
- July 8: Alberta tapped into the aviation sector, inviting 20 candidates through another priority draw.
- July 9: A separate non-Express Entry pathway for healthcare workers saw 32 invites issued.
- July 11: The largest draw of the period, with 269 invitations under the Alberta Opportunity Stream, primarily for workers already employed in the province.
- July 16: Fewer than 10 candidates in law enforcement were invited under a specialized Express Entry pathway for public safety roles.
Remaining Nominations for 2025: A Window of Opportunity
Alberta has a total annual allocation of 4,875 provincial nominations for 2025. As of July 2, 2,688 nominations have already been issued. That leaves 2,187 spots still open for eligible applicants across different streams.
Here is the current status of Alberta’s top immigration pathways:
| Stream | Total Quota | Issued | Available | EOIs in Pool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta Express Entry (Priority Sectors) | 405 | 223 | 182 | 4,185 |
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | 2,592 | 1,524 | 1,068 | 39,979 |
Strategic Focus: Aligning Immigration with Industry Gaps
Alberta’s PNP strategy for 2025 places a strong emphasis on industry relevance. The Express Entry stream—one of the AAIP’s key components—is being used to issue invitations based on sector-specific priorities. Four sectors currently top the list:
- Healthcare
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Aviation
Nomination Allocation Update: Halfway Through 2025
Nomination Snapshot (As of July 16, 2025):
- Opportunity Stream: 1,608 nominations issued out of 2,592
- Express Entry (Priority Sectors): 244 out of 405
- Healthcare Pathways (combined EE & Non-EE): 251 out of 500
- Law Enforcement Pathway: Less than 10 out of 20
The province reports over 2,300 pending applications still under review, with the Express Entry and Opportunity streams receiving the highest volume of interest.
Why This Is Important for Applicants for Immigration
Express Entry applicants with experience in Alberta’s priority industries, especially healthcare and agriculture, have a higher chance of receiving a provincial nomination thanks to this focused approach, which can expedite their application for permanent residency.
Additionally well-positioned are temporary employees who currently reside and work in Alberta, particularly those who have long-term employment offers in qualified fields.
Implications for Future Applicants
- Attend MPNP-endorsed recruitment events or exploratory visits
- Align work experience with Manitoba’s in-demand occupations
- Build strong ties to the province (family connections, previous study or work experience in Manitoba)
- Ensure their profile meets the highest standards in terms of education, work experience, and language ability
Next Actions for Interested Applicants
