Alberta has officially released its Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) nomination allocation and priorities for 2026, signaling a targeted strategy focused on labour-market needs, economic growth, and regional development. With 6,403 nomination spaces confirmed for the year, Alberta continues to emphasize skilled workers already contributing to the provincial economy while also supporting underserved communities and critical sectors.
Alberta’s 2026 AAIP Nomination Allocation
For 2026, the federal government granted the province 6,403 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination spaces—a substantial allocation that reflects Alberta’s role in Canada’s broader economic growth strategy. Alberta is one of the first provinces to publicly share a detailed, stream-by-stream distribution of its 2026 nomination plan.
Breakdown of 2026 Nomination Spaces
| AAIP Stream | 2026 Allocated Nominations |
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | 3,425 |
| Rural Renewal Stream | 1,000 |
| Dedicated Health Care Pathways | 500 |
| Alberta Express Entry Streams (Tech, Law, Priority) | 1,238 |
| Tourism & Hospitality Stream | 150 |
| Entrepreneur Streams | 90 |
More than half (approximately 53 percent) of Alberta’s nomination capacity is allocated to the Alberta Opportunity Stream, highlighting the province’s focus on retaining temporary foreign workers already employed in Alberta.
Note: Alberta may adjust these allocations throughout the year based on evolving economic and labour-market conditions.
Who Alberta Is Prioritizing in 2026
Alberta’s immigration priorities for 2026 are shaped by ongoing labour shortages and economic development goals. The AAIP is prioritizing workers in key sectors that are essential to the province’s growth and sustainability.
Core Priority Sectors
Alberta has identified the following sectors as high-priority for nominations in 2026:
- Healthcare – Addressing shortages in doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals.
- Technology – Supporting innovation and digital transformation.
- Construction – Filling demand in residential and infrastructure projects.
- Manufacturing – Responding to rising labour needs in production and industrial sectors.
- Aviation – Recruiting skilled aviation technicians and specialists.
- Agriculture – Strengthening food production and agri-business.
These priority areas largely mirror Alberta’s ongoing economic needs and represent the province’s most urgent labour gaps. However, the AAIP can still invite candidates in other occupations if labour-market demand changes.
Rural and Regional Priorities
Under the Rural Renewal Stream, Alberta is also prioritizing candidates who:
- Have qualifying job offers in designated rural communities; and
- Are committed to contributing to regional economic growth and population sustainability.
This rural focus is part of Alberta’s strategic effort to balance urban and rural labour needs and support local labour markets outside major metropolitan areas.
Special Federal Nomination Spaces
In addition to Alberta’s main AAIP quota of 6,403 nominations, the federal government has established up to 10,000 additional nomination spaces for candidates across all Canadian PNPs in 2026. These special federal allocations include:
- 5,000 spots for licensed, practice-ready physicians with qualifying job offers.
- 5,000 spots for French-speaking foreign nationals who demonstrate a high level of French proficiency and work in an AAIP-eligible occupation.
Importantly, these additional nominations do not count against Alberta’s 6,403 limit, enabling the province to issue more nominations than the main cap.
Competitive Landscape: EOIs and Applications
The AAIP’s Expression of Interest (EOI) pool remains highly competitive. As of early 2026, there were approximately 45,659 eligible EOIs across various streams, with the Alberta Opportunity Stream alone accounting for 28,377 submissions.
Applications still awaiting processing include hundreds under key streams like AOS, Tourism & Hospitality, and Express Entry priority sectors, underscoring the high demand among applicants.
What This Means for Candidates
Alberta’s 2026 immigration strategy confirms that work experience in priority sectors, job offers from Alberta employers, and alignment with regional economic goals remain critical factors for nomination success. Candidates who align their profiles with Alberta’s stated priorities—especially in healthcare, technology, construction, and rural development—will have stronger prospects in the province’s selection process.
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