Alberta issued no fewer than 380 invitations to apply for provincial nomination between September 10 and 23, 2026, under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). The province targeted workers in four sectors: healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and agriculture.

The invitations open the door to Canadian permanent residence. Candidates who receive an invitation can submit a nomination application to the provincial government. Once Alberta approves that nomination, the candidate may then apply to the federal government — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) — for permanent residence.

What does the AAIP invitation mean?

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program is a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream. It allows the province to select economic immigrants whose skills match local labour market needs. A provincial nomination does not itself grant permanent residence. Instead, it signals provincial endorsement, which the federal government then assesses through its own permanent residence application process.

For the 380 candidates selected in this round, the immediate next step is clear: submit a complete nomination application to Alberta. Provincial approval is the gateway to the federal stage.

Who was selected?

Alberta prioritized workers in four occupational categories during the September 10–23 round:

• Healthcare
• Technology
• Manufacturing
• Agriculture

These sectors reflect the province's ongoing demand for skilled labour. Candidates working in these fields formed the pool from which the 380 invitations were drawn.

What are the next steps for invited candidates?

The process unfolds in three stages:

1. Invitation received. Alberta selects the candidate from the AAIP pool, as happened for 380 workers between September 10 and 23.
2. Provincial nomination application. The invited candidate applies to Alberta for an official nomination.
3. Federal permanent residence application. After the province approves the nomination, the candidate applies to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence.

Each stage carries its own requirements and timelines. Invited candidates should follow the instructions in their invitation and rely on the official AAIP channels for deadlines and document requirements.

Why does this matter for prospective immigrants?

Provincial nomination draws are a major route to permanent residence for workers who may not qualify through federal programs alone. Alberta's targeted selection of healthcare, tech, manufacturing, and agriculture workers signals where the province sees labour shortages.

For candidates already in the AAIP pool, each draw is a chance at selection. For those considering applying, this round shows the sectors Alberta is actively prioritizing.

Readers should consult the official AAIP website for the current eligibility criteria, application procedures, and upcoming draw schedules. Program criteria and sector priorities can change between draws, and only the official provincial sources carry authoritative details.

The September 10–23 round of at least 380 invitations confirms Alberta remains an active destination for sector-targeted economic immigration this year.