Maple News reports that the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) issued 148 invitations to Express Entry candidates in a provincial draw held on June 29, 2021. Candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores of 302 or higher were invited to apply under the Alberta Express Entry stream.
This draw saw a modest increase in the CRS cut-off compared to Alberta’s previous selection round earlier in June, while the number of invitations slightly declined. These fluctuations illustrate the province’s responsive approach to labor market needs and evolving immigration targets.
Since resuming its draws in January 2021—after a brief pause in late 2020—Alberta has now invited a total of 2,432 Express Entry candidates to apply for a provincial nomination. The province has a cap of 6,250 nomination certificates for the year. However, not every invitee will proceed to nomination; some may not meet eligibility requirements or may choose not to apply.
The Alberta Express Entry stream allows the provincial government to select potential nominees directly from the federal Express Entry pool. Candidates must first create an Express Entry profile and meet eligibility criteria under one of the federal high-skilled immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, or the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Upon entering the pool, candidates are assessed using the Comprehensive Ranking System, which awards points based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Those with lower CRS scores may benefit from a provincial nomination, which provides an additional 600 points—substantially boosting their chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence through the federal Express Entry system.
If the lowest-scoring candidates in this Alberta draw receive a provincial nomination, their updated CRS scores would soar to at least 902. This score significantly exceeds the typical thresholds required in federal draws, positioning them well for future permanent residency invitations.
Alberta’s strategic selection through the Express Entry-linked stream supports the province’s goal to welcome skilled immigrants who can contribute to its economic growth. The program prioritizes candidates with strong ties to Alberta, relevant work experience, or skills in high-demand occupations.
As immigration continues to be a vital component of Canada’s post-pandemic recovery, Maple News will continue to monitor and report on developments across provincial nominee programs and the federal Express Entry system.