Maple News reports that Alberta has conducted two of its largest Express Entry-linked draws of 2021 in the final week of August, offering a total of 850 invitations to apply for a provincial nomination under the Alberta Express Entry stream.
In a record-setting move, the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) issued 450 invitations on August 23, marking its biggest draw to date. Candidates had to meet a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of just 300, continuing Alberta’s trend of inviting candidates with relatively modest scores.
A week later, on August 30, Alberta held its next largest draw since 2019, inviting another 400 Express Entry candidates. This time, the required minimum CRS score slightly increased to 301. These back-to-back draws reflect Alberta’s increased engagement with the federal Express Entry system and its ongoing commitment to attracting skilled workers.
Since resuming draws in January 2021—after a temporary pause in late 2020—Alberta has now invited 4,007 Express Entry candidates to apply for a provincial nomination. The province is allocated a total of 6,250 nominations for the year 2021, indicating that more draws are likely in the coming months.
The Alberta Express Entry stream is part of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), linked to the federal Express Entry system. It allows the Alberta government to select candidates from the federal Express Entry pool who demonstrate strong potential to contribute to the province’s labor market.
Candidates eligible for Express Entry are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System, which evaluates factors such as age, education, work experience, language skills, and more. While the federal government regularly invites high-scoring candidates to apply for permanent residence, the route through a PNP like Alberta’s offers a significant advantage.
Specifically, receiving a provincial nomination instantly adds 600 points to a candidate’s CRS score, virtually guaranteeing an invitation in a future federal Express Entry draw. For example, candidates who received nominations in Alberta’s latest draws would see their CRS jump to at least 900, positioning them well for permanent residency.
Alberta’s strategy of inviting candidates with lower CRS scores provides opportunities for skilled workers who may not meet the higher federal thresholds but who can bring valuable contributions to the province. It’s also a clear signal that the province is focused on targeted immigration aligned with its economic and workforce needs.