Maple News reports that on December 14, 2021, Alberta issued invitations to 150 Express Entry candidates under its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), marking an increase from its previous draw. This invitation round saw a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 351 — slightly higher than Alberta’s typical cutoffs, which hovered around 300 throughout most of 2021.
These candidates were invited under the Alberta Express Entry stream, a pathway aligned with the federal Express Entry system. Successful nominees through this stream receive a significant CRS boost of 600 points, effectively moving them to the top of the Express Entry pool and greatly increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Compared to the earlier draw held in December 2021, which saw just 100 invitations and a minimum CRS of 350, this latest round reflects Alberta’s growing demand for skilled immigrants to address labor market needs and support regional economic growth.
To qualify for the Alberta Express Entry stream, candidates must first create an Express Entry profile with IRCC and be eligible under one of three federal high-skilled immigration programs: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, or Federal Skilled Trades Program. Once in the pool, candidates are ranked based on factors such as age, education, language ability, and work experience through the CRS.
While it is possible to receive federal immigration invitations directly through the Express Entry system, provincial nominations provide a critical advantage for candidates with lower CRS scores. By receiving a nomination, even someone with a score of 351 — as in this draw — would instantly see their score rise to 951, making them highly competitive in subsequent federal rounds.
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) continues to be one of the most active and accessible provincial programs for skilled workers looking to settle in Western Canada, particularly for those with ties to the province, relevant work experience, or high-demand occupations.
Maple News will continue to monitor Alberta’s PNP activity and provide updates on future draws and CRS trends.