Alberta issues hundreds of invitations to foreign workers across two AAIP draws

Canadianow- Editor

Alberta has posted the official results of two recent Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) draws held on February 20 and February 24, 2026. These updates matter because AAIP invitations are limited and are tied to Alberta’s workforce priorities—so meeting minimum eligibility does not mean you will be invited. Alberta also reminds candidates that EOI score is not the only factor used in selection.

Stream / Pathway 2026 Allocation Nominations Issued Spaces Remaining Applications to be Processed Currently Assessing Applications Received On/Before
Alberta Opportunity Stream 3,425 403 3,022 483 November 1, 2025*
Rural Renewal Stream 1,000 <10 N/A <108 February 10, 2026
Tourism and Hospitality Stream 150 32 118 <10 February 24, 2026
Dedicated Health Care Pathways (EE + non-EE) 500 47 453 26 February 6, 2026
Alberta Express Entry – Accelerated Tech Pathway 600 54 546 81 November 3, 2025
Alberta Express Entry – Law Enforcement Pathway 38 <10 N/A <10 N/A
Alberta Express Entry – Priority Sector Draws/Initiatives 600 68 532 59 October 26, 2025
Entrepreneur Streams 90 <10 N/A 268 (in process) Evaluated upon receipt

*The AAIP mentions that the “currently assessing” date excludes certain files related to the work permit support letter process under the temporary public policy to issue open work permits (OWPs) to specific Provincial Nominee Program candidates.

What happened in the two AAIP draws?

Alberta issued 899 invitations in total across two draws:

  • February 20, 2026 — Alberta Opportunity Stream (Priority Sectors):

    • Minimum score: 56

    • Invitations issued: 831

  • February 24, 2026 — Tourism and Hospitality Stream:

    • Minimum score: 73

    • Invitations issued: 68

What the “minimum score” does (and does not) tell you

AAIP states draws are not regularly scheduled, and it does not disclose draw parameters to protect program integrity. This means you should not assume that a similar score will work in the next draw.

Internal guidance: If you are in the Worker EOI pool, focus on what you can control (eligible job offer details, valid status, correct NOC/TEER, language tests if required), and keep your EOI information accurate.

2026 nomination capacity snapshot (as of Feb 26, 2026)

On Alberta’s processing update (last updated February 26, 2026), AAIP reports:

  • 2026 nomination allocation: 6,403

  • Nominations issued: 612

  • Spaces remaining: 5,791

  • Applications to be processed: 1,032

This is helpful context: invitations are one step, but nominations depend on full application review.

Worker EOI pool size (who is waiting in the selection pool)

As of the same update, Alberta reported 45,698 EOIs in the worker selection pool. The largest share was the Alberta Opportunity Stream (28,916).

Other notable pool counts include:

  • Tourism and Hospitality Stream: 4,758

  • Rural Renewal Stream: 3,002

  • AAIP Express Entry “priority sector draws and initiatives”: 4,600

FAQ

Are AAIP draws scheduled weekly or monthly?
No. Alberta says AAIP draws are not regularly scheduled.

Can AAIP invite me to a stream I did not pick in my EOI?
Yes. Alberta states candidates may be invited to apply to a different stream/pathway than the one selected in their EOI.

Does an invitation mean I am nominated?
No. An invitation lets you submit a full application to AAIP. Nomination happens only after assessment.

How far back is AAIP currently assessing applications?
For the Alberta Opportunity Stream, AAIP listed “currently assessing” as applications received on or before November 1, 2025 (with a noted exception for certain work permit support letter files).

Reality check

  • AAIP selection is competitive because Alberta has a fixed nomination allocation each year.

  • Minimum scores can change, and AAIP says EOI score is not the only selection factor.

  • An invitation is not a guarantee of nomination, and nomination is not a guarantee of PR approval at the federal stage.

Official government outlinks

https://www.alberta.ca/aaip-application-streams
https://www.alberta.ca/tourism-and-hospitality-stream
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/provincial-nominees/works.html

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