Between September 2 and 10, 2025, Alberta’s provincial immigration program—the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)—conducted seven targeted draws, inviting a total of 1,376 candidates across multiple streams. According to Maple News, these draws prioritize key sectors crucial to the province’s economic development and labor market needs, demonstrating Alberta’s strategic approach to immigration.
A standout moment came on September 10 when Alberta conducted its first aviation-sector-specific draw of the year. Although just 30 invitations were issued, the low Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoff of 50 underscores the province’s demand for skilled aviation professionals.
Healthcare remained a major focus, with Alberta inviting a total of 263 candidates through three separate health-related draws. Invitations were issued via both the Express Entry and non-Express Entry pathways, with minimum CRS scores as low as 44. These efforts highlight the province’s ongoing attempts to alleviate healthcare staffing shortages, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
In the skilled trades, the construction sector draw on September 8 saw 121 candidates invited, all with scores of at least 61. Just a few days earlier, on September 5, the agriculture sector was targeted, with 71 invitations extended at an even lower cutoff score of 48. These sectors play vital roles in Alberta’s economic foundation—supporting infrastructure projects and ensuring food security.
The largest draw took place on September 4 through the Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS), with 891 invitations issued to candidates already working in Alberta on valid work permits. With a minimum score of 56, this draw signaled the province’s support for retaining existing talent by offering a pathway to permanent residency.
Each draw was purposefully designed to address real-time labor gaps in sectors ranging from farming to flight operations, showcasing a nimble and data-driven provincial immigration strategy. The low CRS thresholds across most draws also indicate Alberta’s willingness to accommodate qualified individuals who may not meet federal Express Entry cutoffs but are essential to the province’s economic vitality.
Maple News emphasizes that individuals with work experience or educational backgrounds related to these priority industries stand a strong chance of receiving nominations if they maintain active Express Entry profiles and meet AAIP eligibility requirements.
The AAIP enables Alberta to nominate newcomers for permanent residency based on provincial labor needs. Streams exist for both candidates overseas and temporary residents already living and working in Alberta. For those interested in applying, it’s important to stay updated on sector-specific trends, ensure federal Express Entry profiles are active (where applicable), and review stream-specific criteria before submitting a full application.
With Alberta’s targeted immigration efforts ramping up, prospective immigrants are advised to align themselves with the province’s economic priorities for the best chance at a nomination.