Maple News reports that Alberta has officially launched its 2025 immigration selections under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), inviting skilled workers through three targeted Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws. Simultaneously, New Brunswick has issued an update on its application processing following the recent reactivation of its provincial immigration pathways.
Between February 3 and 6, Alberta conducted three separate draws under the Rural Renewal Stream and the Dedicated Health Care Pathway—both Express Entry-aligned and non-Express Entry options. These streams are designed to attract foreign talent who align with Alberta’s labor market needs and have ties to the province.
The first draw, held on February 3, issued 190 invitations under the Rural Renewal Stream with a minimum required score of 68 points. This stream focuses on candidates committed to settling in smaller communities outside of major urban centers.
On February 5, Alberta invited 70 healthcare professionals through its Express Entry-aligned Dedicated Health Care Pathway, with a cut-off score of 52. This was followed by a February 6 draw for the same healthcare stream, but for non-Express Entry candidates, issuing 48 invitations with a lower cut-off score of 50.
According to Maple News, Alberta’s Dedicated Health Care Pathway provides two routes for qualified healthcare workers: one aligned with Express Entry for faster processing, and one for those who do not meet Express Entry eligibility but still fulfill provincial requirements. These draws reflect Alberta’s commitment to addressing labor shortages, particularly in rural and healthcare sectors.
Meanwhile, New Brunswick continues to refine its processing timelines and practices under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), following a strategic reopening of its immigration programs aimed at enhancing the province’s economic growth through targeted immigration.
These provincial updates come as Canada continues to emphasize regional immigration as a tool to distribute newcomers more evenly across the country. Provinces use PNPs to select candidates with the skills and experience needed to fill specific labor gaps and to encourage settlement in areas outside large metropolitan centers.
Prospective immigrants interested in provincial programs are advised to track PNP updates regularly, as each province manages its own streams and draws tailored to its unique economic priorities.