Alberta has updated its Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) processing data, giving candidates a clearer picture of how many provincial nomination spaces remain in 2026. The official page, last updated August 25, shows a 2026 nomination allocation of 6,603, with 4,560 nominations already issued and 2,043 nomination spaces remaining.
The update is useful, but the remaining-space figure should not be interpreted as 2,043 places that anyone can directly claim. Alberta runs several worker and entrepreneur streams, uses Expression of Interest selection for many worker pathways, and says its 2026 draws are being prioritized around provincial labour-market needs.
Latest AAIP Numbers
| Measure | August 25, 2026 figure |
|---|---|
| 2026 nomination allocation | 6,603 |
| Nominations issued | 4,560 |
| Nomination spaces remaining | 2,043 |
| Applications to be processed | 1,335 |
| Worker EOIs currently in selection pool | 36,255 |
| Last AAIP draw shown | August 19, 2026 |
Which sectors is Alberta prioritizing in 2026?
The Government of Alberta says AAIP will prioritize draws and nominations in worker streams for occupations in key sectors including:
- health care;
- technology;
- construction;
- manufacturing;
- aviation;
- agriculture; and
- communities designated under the Rural Renewal Stream.
Alberta also says this is not an exhaustive list. The priorities are meant to help candidates understand where the program’s strongest focus is, not to imply that every occupation in another sector is automatically excluded.
The latest figures and draw history are available on Alberta’s AAIP processing information page.
How the 2,043 remaining spaces are distributed
The overall provincial total is divided among several streams and pathways. Alberta can redistribute allocations, so these numbers can change without notice.
| Stream or pathway | Allocation | Issued | Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | 3,562 | 2,551 | 1,011 |
| Rural Renewal Stream | 1,057 | 628 | 429 |
| Tourism and Hospitality Stream | 156 | 140 | 16 |
| Dedicated Health Care Pathways | 518 | 284 | 234 |
| Accelerated Tech Pathway | 619 | 422 | 197 |
| Priority sector draws and other initiatives | 619 | 495 | 124 |
| Entrepreneur Streams | 60 | 33 | 27 |
The table is a snapshot, not a guarantee that every remaining allocation will be filled using exactly the same distribution. Alberta explicitly reserves the right to move allocations between streams and pathways.
Alberta Opportunity Stream still has the largest remaining allocation
The Alberta Opportunity Stream has 1,011 nomination spaces remaining in the August 25 data, more than any other single worker stream shown on the processing page. Alberta reports 530 applications still to be processed and says it is currently assessing applications received on or before May 9, 2026, subject to the exclusions noted on the official page.
The stream is generally for qualified foreign workers who are living and working in Alberta and have an eligible job offer from an Alberta employer. Candidates must still meet the complete stream requirements; being employed in the province alone does not guarantee eligibility.
Rural Renewal Stream has 429 spaces remaining
The Rural Renewal Stream shows 1,057 allocated nominations, 628 issued and 429 remaining. Alberta lists 94 applications to be processed and says it is currently assessing applications received on or before July 9, 2026.
This stream relies on designated communities. A qualifying temporary worker generally needs an Alberta job offer in a designated community plus an endorsement from that community before applying for nomination.
Health care remains a major priority
The Dedicated Health Care Pathways have 234 nomination spaces remaining in the August 25 table. Alberta has continued to conduct both Express Entry and non-Express Entry health care draws during 2026.
The most recent draw shown on the official page took place on August 19, 2026 under the Dedicated Health Care Pathway – non-Express Entry. The minimum score was 60 and 24 invitations were issued.
An August 12 Express Entry health care draw also used a minimum score of 60 and issued 57 invitations.
Technology candidates still have dedicated capacity
The Accelerated Tech Pathway shows 619 allocated nominations, 422 issued and 197 remaining. Alberta also reports 189 applications to be processed under this pathway.
The province notes that its eligible technology occupation list includes jobs supporting data-centre needs in Alberta. A draw on August 6 used a minimum score of 60 and issued 95 invitations.
Technology workers should still verify that their occupation, job offer and other details meet current pathway requirements rather than assuming a general tech job is enough.
Other priority-sector draws have 124 spaces remaining
Alberta’s separate allocation for priority-sector draws and related initiatives covers areas such as construction, manufacturing, agriculture and aviation, including relevant skilled trades. The August 25 table shows 619 allocated spaces, 495 nominations issued and 124 remaining.
Recent examples include:
- August 7: agriculture priority-sector draw, minimum score 55, 38 invitations;
- August 4: health care priority-sector draw, minimum score 66, 50 invitations;
- July 21: construction priority-sector draw, minimum score 65, 53 invitations; and
- June 24: aviation and skilled-trade priority-sector draw, minimum score 47, 35 invitations.
The Worker EOI pool is much larger than the remaining nomination spaces
AAIP reports 36,255 Worker Expressions of Interest currently eligible for selection across the listed pools. This is an important reality check for candidates.
| Worker EOI area | EOIs in selection pool |
|---|---|
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | 22,648 |
| Dedicated Health Care Pathways | 1,273 |
| Rural Renewal Stream | 1,735 |
| Tourism and Hospitality Stream | 3,437 |
| Accelerated Tech Pathway | 2,102 |
| Law Enforcement Pathway | 48 |
| Priority sector draws and other initiatives | 5,012 |
| Total | 36,255 |
An EOI is not the same as an application for nomination and does not guarantee an invitation. Alberta says candidates may even be invited to a stream or pathway different from the one identified in their EOI if their information aligns with another program priority.
EOI score is not the only selection factor
AAIP explicitly says it does not select candidates only by EOI score. The province can consider other information provided in the Worker EOI to meet economic, sector and occupational priorities.
It also says draws are not regularly scheduled. They occur as needed, which means there is no official weekly or monthly draw calendar candidates can rely on.
This is why statements such as “everyone above score X will be invited next” are not supported by the official program rules.
Additional federal spaces for physicians and Francophones
Alberta also reports access to an additional federal initiative that allows provinces and territories to nominate certain practice-ready physicians and Francophones without those nominations counting against the normal provincial allocation when the federal criteria are met.
On August 25, Alberta showed 50 physician nominations and 12 Francophone nominations issued through these additional spaces.
For physicians, Alberta lists NOC 31100, 31101 and 31102 and requires candidates to be practice-ready under the Dedicated Health Care Pathway rules. Francophone candidates may work in any AAIP-eligible NOC but must meet the specified French-language threshold.
Alberta emphasizes that this initiative does not create a new AAIP stream. Existing stream designs still apply.
What candidates should do now
People interested in Alberta should start with the official AAIP overview and eligibility information, then identify the stream that matches their situation.
- Confirm that the occupation and job offer meet the relevant stream rules.
- Keep Worker EOI information accurate and current.
- Do not treat a previous draw score as a guaranteed future cutoff.
- Monitor stream-specific processing information and AAIP updates.
- Remember that provincial nomination is not the final permanent residence decision; IRCC makes the federal PR decision.
For broader provincial and federal permanent-residence coverage, see Canadanship’s Immigration section. Temporary work authorization remains a separate subject covered under Work.
What the August 25 update does not mean
- It does not mean 2,043 invitations will be issued immediately.
- It does not mean every person in a priority occupation is eligible.
- It does not guarantee an invitation based on EOI score alone.
- It does not create a new immigration stream.
- It does not guarantee Canadian permanent residence after provincial nomination.
What the latest August draws show
AAIP’s August activity illustrates how Alberta is using several pathways rather than one province-wide cutoff. From August 4 through August 19, the province conducted draws for health care, technology, agriculture, Rural Renewal and the Alberta Opportunity Stream.
| Draw date | Focus | Minimum score | Invitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 19 | Dedicated Health Care – non-Express Entry | 60 | 24 |
| August 14 | Alberta Opportunity Stream | 58 | 743 |
| August 12 | Dedicated Health Care – Express Entry | 60 | 57 |
| August 11 | Rural Renewal Stream | 51 | 127 |
| August 7 | Express Entry priority sector – Agriculture | 55 | 38 |
| August 6 | Accelerated Tech Pathway | 60 | 95 |
| August 4 | Express Entry priority sector – Health Care | 66 | 50 |
The variation in scores reinforces Alberta’s statement that candidates should not treat one draw as the universal threshold for the next. Different streams have different candidate pools and provincial objectives.
What happens after an Alberta nomination?
A provincial nomination is a major step, but it is not the final permanent residence approval. After nomination, the candidate must continue through the applicable federal permanent residence process with IRCC. The federal government assesses admissibility and makes the final decision.
Candidates should also follow any conditions attached to the nomination and keep Alberta informed where the program requires updates about employment, address or family circumstances. A nomination should not be treated as permission to ignore temporary status expiry dates while the federal process is underway.
Official Sources and What They Confirm
| Official source | Details confirmed by the source |
|---|---|
| Government of Alberta – AAIP processing information | 6,603 allocation, 4,560 nominations issued, 2,043 spaces remaining, stream-level allocations, Worker EOI pool and 2026 draw results. |
| Government of Alberta – AAIP overview | Program purpose, worker streams, entrepreneur streams and the role of Alberta nomination versus the final IRCC permanent residence decision. |
Last verified August 26, 2026. AAIP states that allocations, processing totals and priorities can change without notice.