The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) started February 2026 with one of its largest draws so far this year. On February 2, 2026, Alberta issued 915 invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Alberta Opportunity Stream, making it the biggest AAIP draw of 2026 to date.
With a minimum Expression of Interest score of 57, this draw highlights Alberta’s aggressive immigration strategy to tackle ongoing labour shortages across key sectors such as health care, technology, construction, manufacturing, aviation, and agriculture.
This article provides a complete breakdown of the February 2026 AAIP draw, including all Alberta immigration draws in 2026 so far, EOI pool sizes, nomination allocations, processing backlogs, and what candidates should expect next.
The February 2 draw focused exclusively on the Alberta Opportunity Stream, which is the province’s main non Express Entry pathway for foreign workers already living and working in Alberta.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Draw date | February 2, 2026 |
| Stream | Alberta Opportunity Stream |
| Invitations issued | 915 |
| Minimum EOI score | 57 |
| Express Entry required | No |
This was the fourth AAIP draw of 2026, following three draws held between January 26 and January 29 across health care and technology focused pathways.
In just seven days, Alberta issued 1,169 invitations, demonstrating a fast and strategic approach to filling labour gaps early in the year.
The Alberta Opportunity Stream is designed for foreign nationals who are already working in Alberta on a valid work permit. Unlike Express Entry linked streams, candidates do not need a federal Express Entry profile.
Instead, applicants submit an Expression of Interest directly to AAIP, where profiles are ranked based on multiple factors such as:
AAIP does not publicly disclose its full scoring formula. This means meeting the minimum score does not guarantee an invitation, especially when draws target specific occupations or sectors.
As of early February 2026, the Alberta Opportunity Stream has 28,412 EOIs in its pool. With 915 invitations issued, this draw selected roughly 3.2 percent of candidates, highlighting intense competition.
At the same time, the stream has a 2026 allocation of 3,425 nominations, with only 255 issued so far, leaving 3,170 nomination spaces still available.
This suggests Alberta will continue issuing large Opportunity Stream draws throughout 2026, particularly for candidates working in priority sectors.
Understanding the pattern of draws provides insight into Alberta’s current immigration priorities.
| Draw date | Stream or pathway | Minimum score | Invitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 2, 2026 | Alberta Opportunity Stream | 57 | 915 |
| January 29, 2026 | Express Entry Accelerated Tech Pathway | 63 | 148 |
| January 27, 2026 | Dedicated Health Care Pathway non Express Entry | 45 | 43 |
| January 26, 2026 | Dedicated Health Care Pathway Express Entry | 61 | 63 |
The low score of 45 in the non Express Entry health care draw shows Alberta is prioritizing workers where shortages are most severe.
Alberta has clearly identified the sectors it will prioritize for immigration in 2026.
Candidates working in these sectors have significantly higher chances of selection, even with moderate EOI scores.
Health care workers benefit from dedicated pathways, while tech professionals can apply through the Accelerated Tech Pathway, which includes roles supporting Alberta’s expanding data centre infrastructure.
As of February 2026, AAIP has 45,276 Expressions of Interest across all streams.
| Stream or pathway | EOIs in pool |
|---|---|
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | 28,412 |
| Dedicated Health Care Pathways | 1,406 |
| Rural Renewal Stream | 3,185 |
| Tourism and Hospitality Stream | 4,928 |
| Express Entry Accelerated Tech | 2,653 |
| Express Entry Priority Sectors | 4,371 |
| Express Entry Family Connection | 176 |
| Express Entry Law Enforcement | 91 |
| Total | 45,276 |
The Opportunity Stream alone accounts for over 62 percent of all EOIs, explaining why competition is toughest in this category.
In contrast, health care pathways have relatively small pools, allowing Alberta to issue invitations at lower scores.
Alberta received 6,403 provincial nomination spots for 2026. As of early February, only 405 nominations have been issued, leaving substantial room for future draws.
| Stream | Allocation | Issued | Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | 3,425 | 255 | 3,170 |
| Dedicated Health Care Pathways | 500 | 34 | 466 |
| Express Entry Accelerated Tech | 600 | 34 | 566 |
| Express Entry Priority Sectors | 600 | 48 | 518 |
| Rural Renewal Stream | 1,000 | <10 | N/A |
| Tourism and Hospitality | 150 | 29 | 121 |
| Entrepreneur Streams | 90 | <10 | N/A |
| Total | 6,403 | 405 | 5,964 |
With over 93 percent of nominations still unused, Alberta has strong capacity to continue inviting candidates throughout the year.
Processing times vary widely depending on the stream.
| Stream | Applications in queue | Processing up to |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | 501 | October 21, 2025 |
| Dedicated Health Care Pathways | 19 | January 26, 2026 |
| Accelerated Tech Pathway | 53 | October 31, 2025 |
| Priority Sector Draws | 82 | October 19, 2025 |
| Tourism and Hospitality | 12 | January 10, 2025 |
| Entrepreneur Streams | 256 | Evaluated upon receipt |
Health care pathways have the fastest processing times, reflecting Alberta’s urgent need for medical professionals.
The Tourism and Hospitality Stream has the longest backlog due to its small annual allocation.
If you are in the AAIP pool, especially under the Alberta Opportunity Stream, it is critical to:
AAIP draws are not scheduled, meaning invitations can be issued without notice.
You can submit one EOI, but AAIP may invite you under a different stream if you qualify. This flexibility allows Alberta to address urgent labour needs.
No. An invitation allows you to apply for provincial nomination. Final permanent residence approval is decided by IRCC after medical, security, and background checks.
EOI profiles remain active for 12 months. If it expires, you can submit a new one without penalty.
Common reasons include high competition, occupation not being prioritized, or limited nomination spaces at the time of the draw.
The first Alberta AAIP draw of February 2026 sends a strong signal that the province is moving aggressively to meet its immigration targets. With thousands of nomination spaces still available and ongoing labour shortages, 2026 is shaping up to be a strong year for Alberta immigration.
Candidates who align with Alberta’s priority sectors and keep their profiles competitive will be best positioned to receive invitations in upcoming draws.
