Alberta immigration draws October 2026
Alberta's October 2026 immigration draw results
Draw date | Stream or pathway | Minimum score | Invitations |
October 9 | Alberta Express Entry Stream – Priority Sectors (Health Care) | 60 | 97 |
October 13 | Dedicated Health Care Pathway – Express Entry | 57 | 53 |
October 14 | Tourism and Hospitality Stream | 73 | 25 |
October 16 | Alberta Express Entry Stream – Law Enforcement Pathway | 49 | Fewer than 10 |
October 20 | Alberta Express Entry Stream – Priority Sectors (General) | 60 | 386 |
Total | Five selection rounds | — | At least 562 |
The October 20 draw accounted for the largest number of invitations, with 386 issued through the Alberta Express Entry Stream’s general priority sectors selection. The scores shown above are AAIP selection scores, not federal Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores. Alberta uses its own selection criteria for these provincial pathways.
Which workers were targeted?
1. Healthcare professionals
Alberta held two separate healthcare-related draws during this period. The October 9 round invited 97 candidates through the Alberta Express Entry Stream – Priority Sectors (Health Care), with a minimum score of 60. On October 13, another 53 candidates were invited through the Dedicated Health Care Pathway – Express Entry, with a minimum score of 57. Although both rounds targeted healthcare candidates, they operated under different pathways. Applicants should confirm which route matches their qualifications, employment circumstances and immigration profile.
2. Tourism and hospitality workers
On October 14, Alberta invited 25 candidates through the Tourism and Hospitality Stream. The minimum selection score was 73. This pathway is intended for eligible workers in Alberta’s tourism and hospitality sector. Candidates must meet the stream’s specific eligibility requirements, including applicable employment and work experience conditions. Working in tourism or hospitality alone does not guarantee an invitation.
3. Law enforcement workers
Alberta conducted a Law Enforcement Pathway draw on October 16, issuing fewer than 10 invitations. The minimum selection score was 49. The province did not disclose the exact number of candidates invited in this round. Candidates interested in this pathway should review the current occupational, employment and other eligibility requirements before submitting an expression of interest.
4. Candidates in general priority sectors
The October 20 draw invited 386 candidates through the Alberta Express Entry Stream – Priority Sectors (General), with a minimum score of 60. Alberta’s 2026 priority sectors include:
- Healthcare
- Technology
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Aviation
- Agriculture
The province also prioritizes certain communities participating in the Rural Renewal Stream. These broader priorities guide selection activity, but they do not mean that every occupation within these sectors will receive an invitation. Alberta may consider multiple factors when deciding which candidates to select.
Alberta's 2026 nomination allocation and remaining spaces
Alberta’s AAIP processing information, updated October 21, 2026, reported the following provincial nomination figures:
2026 nomination figures | Number |
Annual nomination allocation | 6,603 |
Nominations issued | 5,831 |
Nomination spaces remaining | 772 |
Applications to be processed | 856 |
The province’s regular allocation covers nominations issued under its program streams, subject to the applicable allocation rules. Additional federal spaces are available for certain eligible practice-ready physicians and French-speaking candidates.
As of October 21, Alberta reported 50 nominations for physicians and 12 for Francophone candidates through these additional federal spaces. Those nominations do not count toward the province’s regular allocation of 6,603. It is important to distinguish between invitations and nominations. An invitation allows a candidate to submit an application; a nomination is issued only after the province approves the application.
What is the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program?
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program is the province’s economic immigration program. It allows Alberta to nominate eligible foreign nationals who can contribute to the provincial economy and meet the requirements of a particular pathway.
The program includes several routes for workers and entrepreneurs, such as:
- Alberta Opportunity Stream
- Rural Renewal Stream
- Tourism and Hospitality Stream
- Dedicated Health Care Pathways
- Alberta Express Entry Stream, including the Accelerated Tech Pathway and Law Enforcement Pathway
Each pathway has its own eligibility criteria, selection process and application requirements. Some pathways require candidates to be working in Alberta or to have a qualifying job offer. Express Entry-aligned pathways also require an eligible federal Express Entry profile and satisfaction of the applicable provincial criteria.
How does the Alberta immigration selection process work?
- Check eligibility. Review the requirements of the intended AAIP stream or pathway.
- Submit an expression of interest, where required. Provide accurate information about qualifications, employment, language ability and other relevant factors.
- Wait for selection. Alberta conducts draws according to provincial priorities and available capacity.
- Submit the provincial application. If invited, provide the requested documents and pay the applicable fees within the specified deadline.
- Wait for the provincial decision. Alberta assesses the application before deciding whether to issue a nomination.
- Apply for permanent residence. After nomination, candidates must complete the relevant federal process and meet IRCC’s requirements.
Alberta states that its draws are not regularly scheduled and are conducted as needed to address provincial priorities. The province also notes that an expression of interest score is not the only factor considered during selection. Consequently, meeting or exceeding a previously published minimum score does not guarantee an invitation in a future draw.
Can an Alberta nominee apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit?
Some candidates already in Canada may qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) after submitting an eligible permanent residence application. Eligibility depends on federal requirements, including the type and stage of the permanent residence application and the applicant’s immigration status.
A provincial nomination or invitation alone does not automatically qualify someone for a BOWP. Candidates should confirm their eligibility through the latest official IRCC instructions before applying.
What should prospective applicants do now?
Foreign nationals considering Alberta as an immigration destination should focus on the requirements of their intended pathway rather than relying only on the latest draw scores. Recommended steps include:
- Review the eligibility criteria for the relevant AAIP stream.
- Check whether a qualifying job offer or current employment in Alberta is required.
- Confirm that the occupation and work experience meet the pathway’s conditions.
- Ensure that language test results, education credentials and supporting documents are valid where required.
- Keep any federal Express Entry profile and provincial expression of interest accurate and up to date.
- Monitor Alberta’s official draw results and processing updates.
Candidates should also distinguish Alberta’s selection score from the federal CRS score. They measure different things and should not be compared directly.
What do the October draws mean for Canadian immigration candidates?
Alberta’s latest selection rounds demonstrate continued invitations across healthcare, law enforcement, tourism and hospitality, and broader priority sectors. The October 20 general priority sectors draw produced the largest invitation count in this five-draw period, with 386 invitations. However, Alberta has not committed to repeating the same selection volumes or minimum scores in future rounds.
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Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or guarantee eligibility, an invitation, a provincial nomination or permanent residence. Immigration rules, selection criteria and program availability can change.
