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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.

Nova Scotia has introduced major changes to how it selects permanent residents. On November 28, 2025, the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSPNP) announced the adoption of a new Expression of Interest (EOI) model for all immigration submissions — a shift aligning it with most other Canadian provinces’ nominee programs.

What’s Changing

• Going forward, every submission — old or new — to Nova Scotia’s immigration streams (NSPNP and the Atlantic Immigration Program, AIP) will be treated as an EOI.
• Having a case ID or meeting eligibility criteria no longer guarantees processing. Only when a candidate is selected in a draw from the EOI pool will their application move forward for assessment.
• This replaces the older method where full applications were either “refused or nominated” soon after submission. Under the new system, all complete applications go into a central pool, and candidates are drawn when the province needs them.

Nova Scotia’s Selection Priorities

Nova Scotia will now use periodic “draws” to choose who gets processed next — depending on its changing labour-market and economic needs. Current priority sectors are:

• Healthcare
• Construction
• Skilled trades
• STEM fields
• Natural resources
• Manufacturing

These priorities may evolve over time as the province’s needs change.

Why the Change

The overhaul is driven by a growing imbalance: the number of people seeking to immigrate to Nova Scotia has vastly outpaced the number of provincial nomination spots allocated by the federal government.

Under the federal Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) plan for 2025-2026, allocations to provincial nominee programs (PNPs) were halved — forcing provinces like Nova Scotia to be more selective.

For 2025, Nova Scotia’s combined allocation for NSNP and AIP was reduced to 3,150 spots, down from 6,300 in 2024.

As of August 2025:

• The province had already used 1,838 of its spots.
• There remained 1,312 spots available.
• Meanwhile, about 9,774 EOIs were waiting in the pool — nearly 3 times the remaining spots.

Because of this oversubscription, the shift to an EOI model allows the province to prioritize candidates whose skills match labour needs, instead of first-come, first-served.

What This Means for Applicants & Employers

• Submitting a full application no longer means you’ll get processed — you now enter a waiting pool.
• Only applications drawn in periodic selection rounds will move forward. If your EOI isn’t selected, you stay in the pool until maybe future draws.
• For employers under AIP: endorsements now also go through the same draw-based system. Full endorsement packages are submitted but treated as EOIs. Only after selection will the employer’s submission be processed.
• Because deliverable slots are limited, being ready with an accurate application aligned to priority sectors — especially in healthcare, trades, or STEM — may improve chances.

Key Reminder

Even if you already submitted under the old system and have a case ID, your file is now in the candidate pool, with no guarantee of being processed. Only draws decide which EOIs get advanced.

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) continues to play a central role in Canada’s immigration strategy, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) holding a series of competitive and increasingly frequent draws throughout 2025. Recent data from multiple trusted sources shows clear patterns in the CRS cut-off scores, candidate characteristics, and draw frequency, revealing exactly what types of applicants are being selected for permanent residency.

Overview of Recent CEC Draws (Mid–Late 2025)

Between June and November 2025, IRCC held several major CEC draws, with cut-off scores mostly in the 533–534 CRS range, indicating high competitiveness. Here is a summarized look:

Date	ITAs Issued	CRS Cut-off	Key Notes
Nov 12, 2025	1,000	533	Tie-breaker: Oct 17, 2025. Second CEC draw within two weeks.
Oct 28, 2025	1,000	533	Profile creation before Mar 21, 2025 required.
Oct 1, 2025	1,000	534	Continued trend of 1,000-invite CEC draws.
Sep 3, 2025	1,000	534	Stable competitiveness early fall.
Aug 7, 2025	1,000	534	One of the highest CEC cut-offs of the year.
Jul 8, 2025	3,000	518	A rare large draw with significantly lower cut-off.
Jun 26, 2025	3,000	521	High-volume draw lowered the CRS threshold.
Jun 12, 2025	3,000	529	Beginning of mid-year draw expansions.
May 13, 2025	500	547	Smallest and most selective draw of the year.

These draw results show that while the CEC pathway remains one of the most reliable ways for temporary residents to obtain PR, the competition is sharper than ever.

What Types of Candidates Are Being Invited?

Based on the cut-off ranges, draw frequencies, and pool analysis, here are the candidate profiles most likely to receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply):

1. Candidates With High CRS Scores (530+)

Most CEC draws in late 2025 require CRS scores in the 533–534 range. This score level typically reflects:

• Strong English or French language test results
• Completion of Canadian post-secondary education
• 1+ years of skilled Canadian work experience
• Younger age brackets (20–32)
• Additional CRS points from arranged employment, Canadian studies, or spouses

2. Strong English/French Proficiency

CLB 9–10 test scores remain a major differentiating factor among CEC candidates, elevating profiles into the 530+ range.

3. Early Profile Creators

The tie-breaker rule shows IRCC often selects candidates based on profile submission date when scores are identical.
Example: The Nov 12 draw only invited candidates who created their profile before Oct 17, 2025.

4. In-Canada Skilled Workers

CEC is designed for candidates who already have:

• One year of full-time skilled work experience in Canada
• Temporary status (Post-Graduation Work Permit holders, skilled workers on LMIA-based or LMIA-exempt permits)

IRCC continues to rely heavily on CEC draws to convert temporary residents into permanent residents.

5. Candidates in High-Demand Sectors

Although CEC is not occupation-based, many invited candidates typically work in:

• Technology
• Business and finance
• Healthcare
• Education
• Skilled trades
• Hospitality and service roles

These sectors contribute significantly to Canada’s labor market, making candidates with Canadian experience highly attractive.

Why Are CRS Cut-Offs So High?

Several factors contributed to a competitive pool in 2025:

• A growing number of international graduates and skilled workers in Canada
• Reduced CEC draw sizes in late 2025 (1,000 ITAs vs. 3,000 earlier in the year)
• More candidates in the 500+ CRS range compared with previous years
• IRCC balancing CEC draws with category-based and PNP draws

When IRCC reduced draw sizes, the CRS cut-offs rose accordingly.

What This Means for Future Applicants

If you are planning to apply through the Canadian Experience Class, you may benefit from:

• Improving language test results (IELTS/CELPIP/TEF/TCF)
• Completing a Canadian education program
• Adding spousal CRS points
• Obtaining Canadian work experience in skilled occupations
• Submitting your profile early to benefit from future tie-breaker rules

CEC remains one of the fastest and most consistent pathways to Canadian PR, but preparation and timing are now more important than ever.

Canada’s next Immigration Levels Plan (ILP) 2026–2028 will soon be unveiled, shaping the country’s immigration priorities for the next three years. Following the 2025–2027 plan, which already began moderating record-high immigration levels, this new plan is expected to reflect a balanced approach — ensuring economic growth while addressing public concerns about housing, infrastructure, and integration capacity.

According to the Government of Canada, the ILP outlines the number of new permanent residents the country aims to welcome each year, broken down into three main categories: economic, family, and refugee/humanitarian streams.

1. Expected Immigration Targets for 2026–2028

The previous ILP (2025–2027) targeted 395,000 new permanent residents in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027.
Experts project that the 2026–2028 plan will maintain a similar or slightly adjusted range, possibly between 360,000 and 400,000 annually. This indicates a stabilization trend after several years of rapid growth.

A report by the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) suggests that reduced immigration may slightly slow overall GDP growth but could improve GDP per capita and ease housing demand — two key concerns influencing upcoming targets.

2. Economic-Class Immigration: Still a Priority

The economic class will continue to dominate admissions, accounting for about 60–62% of total permanent residents.
This includes skilled workers, health professionals, and tradespeople — especially through Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

Analysts from Moving2Canada and Amir Ismail & Associates predict that the government will continue emphasizing talent-driven immigration to address labour shortages in construction, healthcare, and technology sectors.

3. Family Reunification and Humanitarian Commitments

While the focus remains on economic growth, Canada’s ILP will still prioritize family reunification and refugee resettlement.
The Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) has called for increased family sponsorship allocations and faster processing for humanitarian cases.
It’s likely that the family class will remain around 22% of total targets, while refugee and humanitarian streams make up around 15%.

4. Temporary Residents Now Part of the Conversation

For the first time, Canada’s ILP framework includes temporary residents — such as international students and foreign workers — recognizing their major role in population growth.
Under current policy, the federal government aims to reduce non-permanent residents to 5% of the total population by the end of 2026.

This shift means future immigration planning will coordinate better between temporary-to-permanent pathways, ensuring sustainability in both labour and housing markets.

5. Economic and Social Context

Public attitudes toward immigration have evolved. A survey found that while most Canadians value immigration, many believe current levels are “too high” due to housing and cost-of-living pressures.
In response, the government appears to be pursuing a “smart moderation” strategy — maintaining Canada’s global competitiveness while addressing domestic capacity limits.

The Bank of Nova Scotia’s July 2025 Special Report confirms that slowing immigration growth will help stabilize real estate prices and allow local economies to absorb new arrivals more effectively.

6. Consultation and Flexibility

The federal government has emphasized broad consultations with provinces, territories, and stakeholders before finalizing the ILP 2026–2028.
The final plan, expected in fall 2025, will likely include target ranges instead of fixed numbers to maintain flexibility amid changing economic and demographic conditions.

Conclusion

In summary, Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2026–2028 is expected to strike a careful balance between economic needs and social capacity.
While the pace of immigration may moderate, Canada remains committed to welcoming newcomers who contribute to its growth, innovation, and cultural diversity.

Stay tuned for the official release later this year, which will confirm exact figures and category breakdowns.

On August 19, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) executed a targeted Express Entry draw specifically for the Healthcare and Social Services occupation category, inviting 2,500 candidates who met a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 470 or higher. This significant draw marks the second-largest healthcare-focused round of the year.

Key Draw Highlights

• Draw Date: August 19, 2025
• Category: Healthcare and Social Services Occupations (Version 2)
• Invitations Issued: 2,500 ITAs
• Minimum CRS Score: 470
• Tie-Breaking Rule: Candidates who submitted their profiles before April 23, 2025 at 20:08:53 UTC received priority in the case of score ties

Why This Matters

Canada’s healthcare and social services sectors are experiencing urgent labor shortages. By conducting category-based draws like this, IRCC can effectively recruit professionals in high-priority roles—ranging from registered nurses and pharmacists to social workers and therapists.

A CRS cut-off of 470 is relatively accessible compared to previous general draws, empowering more hopeful candidates—especially those with strong healthcare/social services credentials—to secure Canada PR.

Historical Context: How This Draw Compares

Date	Draw Type	ITAs Issued	CRS Cut-off
July 22, 2025	Healthcare & Social Services (V2)	4,000	475
June 4, 2025	Healthcare & Social Services (V2)	500	504
May 2, 2025	Healthcare & Social Services (V2)	500	510
August 19, 2025	Healthcare & Social Services (V2)	2,500	470

This August draw, while second in scale to the July 22 round (4,000 ITAs at 475 CRS), stands out for its notably lower CRS threshold—making it especially competitive and encouraging for many applicants.

What This Means for You

• Greater Opportunity: Healthcare and social services professionals with CRS scores around or above 470 are prime candidates for ITAs.
• Strategic Profile Updates: Candidates should ensure their Express Entry profiles highlight relevant National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes and emphasize six months (or equivalent) of continuous work experience in eligible roles.
• Tie-Break Priority: Early profile submission continues to matter. Profiles submitted before the tie-breaking timestamp may have better chances in tight cut-offs.

Tips to Improve Your CRS Score

If your CRS score is close to the cut-off, here are strategies to boost your profile:

1. Retake a language test (IELTS/CELPIP or TEF) to score higher in English or French.
2. Claim spousal points — if your partner can complete a language test or add educational/work credentials.
3. Pursue a Canadian job offer in a healthcare or social service role (adds 50–200 CRS points).
4. Apply for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) — a nomination adds 600 CRS points, guaranteeing an ITA.
5. Update work experience — ensure your NOC codes match the eligible occupations listed by IRCC.

The August 19, 2025 Express Entry draw highlights how Canada is making immigration pathways more accessible for healthcare and social service professionals. With a cut-off score of just 470, many skilled candidates who were previously on the margin now have an excellent chance of securing permanent residency.

For applicants in these sectors, staying proactive by updating your Express Entry profile and exploring CRS-boosting strategies can be the key to success in upcoming draws.

The latest IRCC processing times were updated as of August 6, 2025, crucial for anyone planning to apply now.

August 2025 Processing Times by Category

Based on ICC Immigration’s report (August 7, 2025):

A. Citizenship

• Grant of Citizenship: ~10 months (no change)
• Proof of Citizenship: ~5 months (stable)
• Renunciation of Citizenship: ~5 months (down by 2 months)

B. Permanent Resident (PR) Cards

• New PR Card: ~40 days (faster by 5 days)
• PR Card Renewal: ~28 days (slower by 7 days)

C. Family Sponsorship

• Spousal (Outside Canada, Non-Quebec): ~13 months
• Spousal (Inside Canada): ~36–40 months
• Parents/Grandparents (Non-Quebec): ~36 months
• Parents/Grandparents (Quebec): ~48 months

D. Economic Class Immigration

• Express Entry – CEC: ~5 months
• Express Entry – FSWP: ~7 months
• Express Entry PNP: ~8 months
• Non-Express Entry PNP: ~20 months
• Start-Up Visa: ~52 months
• Self-Employed Program: ~60 months

E. Temporary Visas (Visitor, Study, Work)

• Visitor Visas (Outside Canada): India ~31 days, Philippines ~30 days, Pakistan ~43 days, USA ~20 days
• Super Visa: India ~99 days, USA ~102 days
• Study Permits: India ~3 weeks, USA ~8 weeks
• Work Permits (Outside Canada): India ~6 weeks, Nigeria ~8 weeks
• Work Permits (Inside Canada): ~181 days

4. Key Trends & Insights

• Start-Up Visa & Self-Employed streams show significantly longer processing times, stretching over 4–5 years.
• Family sponsorships, especially inside Canada and in Quebec, face some of the longest delays.
• Visitor visas and study permits are relatively fast, offering promising timelines if documentation is complete.
• Express Entry remains the most efficient pathway, with moderate processing durations.

How to Improve Your Chances

• Always submit a complete and accurate application (check IRCC’s checklist).
• Track updates regularly—IRCC revises timelines weekly (for PR cards) or monthly (for citizenship and sponsorship).
• Take additional steps if applying in Quebec, due to its dual provincial–federal jurisdiction that contributes to longer delays.
• Consider alternatives if your chosen stream shows extended timelines (e.g., look into Express Entry vs non-Express Entry PNP).

August 2025 processing times paint a mixed picture: most categories remain steady, but long delays persist in family and self-employment streams. Staying informed, choosing the right pathway, and submitting complete applications are essential for smoother visa processing.