Maple News reports that Alberta has released details of its second Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw held in January, inviting 100 Express Entry candidates to apply for a provincial nomination. This draw, conducted on January 28 under the Alberta Express Entry Stream, targeted candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 360.
This marks a significant development for immigration hopefuls, especially after a prolonged period without Alberta releasing draw information. A CRS score of 360 is notably lower than the typical threshold seen in federal draws, offering renewed hope to candidates who may not score as highly but still bring valuable skills and experience aligned with Alberta’s labour market needs.
To be eligible for Alberta’s Express Entry Stream, candidates must first be in the federal Express Entry pool. Canada’s Express Entry system manages applications for three major federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Candidates are awarded CRS points based on factors such as age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and adaptability.
A provincial nomination from Alberta provides an automatic 600-point boost to a candidate’s CRS score, practically ensuring selection in a future federal Express Entry draw. This makes Alberta a strategic choice for candidates seeking permanent residence through a more achievable pathway.
Alberta’s provincial stream favours candidates with work experience in occupations that contribute to the province’s economic diversification. While some jobs are excluded from consideration under Alberta’s provincial programs, the majority remain eligible. Notably, even those working in occupations restricted under federal Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) rules may still qualify if they receive a Notification of Interest from Alberta.
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) does not publicly disclose specific targeted occupations, but aligns its selections with priority sectors that support economic development. Candidates who show strong potential to contribute to local labour market demands are more likely to be invited.
Maple News will continue to monitor and report on future Alberta draws and other provincial nomination updates to keep immigration candidates informed and prepared.