Alberta Advantage Immigration Program issues new invitations for 2025

Key Takeaways

• Alberta issued 158 invitations in May 2025 through Alberta Opportunity and Tourism and Hospitality streams.
• 2,077 provincial nominations have been given, with 2,798 nomination spaces remaining for 2025.
• High demand exists with nearly 38,000 EOIs for Alberta Opportunity Stream alone.

Alberta Issues Hundreds of Invitations in Latest Provincial Nominee Draws: What Immigrants Need to Know

Alberta 🇨🇦 has once again shown its commitment to attracting skilled workers and addressing labor shortages by holding several Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) in May 2025. Over just a few weeks, the province invited hundreds of candidates to apply for permanent residence, focusing on key sectors such as tourism, hospitality, healthcare, aviation, agriculture, and construction. These draws highlight Alberta’s ongoing efforts to match newcomers with real job needs in the province.

Let’s break down what happened, who was invited, and what this means for people hoping to move to Alberta through the Alberta Opportunity Stream, the Tourism and Hospitality Stream, and other AAIP pathways.

Who Was Invited and When?

In mid-May 2025, Alberta held two major draws under the AAIP:

• May 15, 2025: 33 invitations were sent through the Tourism and Hospitality Stream, with a cut-off score of 72.
• May 13, 2025: 125 invitations were issued through the Alberta Opportunity Stream, with a cut-off score of 76.

In total, 158 invitations went out in these two draws alone. This marks the second time in 2025 that Alberta has used the Tourism and Hospitality Stream, which was launched in 2024 to help fill jobs in hotels, restaurants, and other tourism businesses. The Alberta Opportunity Stream, meanwhile, continues to be a popular choice for candidates with work experience in the province.

Earlier Draws in May 2025

Before these draws, Alberta held six other draws between April 29 and May 8, 2025, issuing 295 invitations across several different streams:

• Dedicated Health Care Pathway – non-Express Entry: 35 invitations (May 8, cut-off score 53)
• Alberta Express Entry Stream – Priority Sectors (Aviation): 20 invitations (May 6, cut-off score 51)
• Rural Renewal Stream: 165 invitations (May 5, cut-off score 68)
• Dedicated Health Care Pathway – Express Entry: 36 invitations (May 1, cut-off score 59)
• Alberta Express Entry Stream – Priority Sectors (Agriculture): 19 invitations (April 30, cut-off score 64)
• Alberta Express Entry Stream – Priority Sectors (Construction): 20 invitations (April 29, cut-off score 67)

These draws show Alberta’s focus on bringing in workers for jobs that are hard to fill, especially in healthcare, aviation, and rural communities.

How Many Nomination Spaces Are Left for 2025?

As of May 25, 2025, Alberta has been given 4,875 nomination slots for the year by the federal government. So far, 2,077 nominations have been issued, leaving 2,798 spaces for the rest of 2025.

Here’s how the numbers break down for the main streams:

The Alberta Express Entry Stream has a separate allocation of 1,071 nominations for 2025.

The number of Expressions of Interest (EOIs)—which are profiles submitted by people hoping to be selected—remains very high, especially for the Alberta Opportunity Stream, with nearly 38,000 candidates in the pool. This shows just how popular Alberta is as a destination for newcomers.

April 2025 Draws: More Opportunities for Skilled Workers

Alberta also held several draws in April 2025, including:

• April 22: Alberta Express Entry Stream – Accelerated Tech Pathway (22 invitations, minimum score 71)
• April 17: Alberta Express Entry Stream – Law Enforcement Pathway (2 invitations, minimum score 49)
• April 15: Tourism and Hospitality Stream (33 invitations, minimum score 73)
• April 11: Alberta Opportunity Stream (108 invitations, minimum score 77)

The April 15 draw was the first time in 2025 that Alberta selected candidates through the Tourism and Hospitality Stream, while the April 11 draw was the first general draw for the Alberta Opportunity Stream this year.

What Are the Main AAIP Streams and Who Qualifies?

Alberta’s immigration program offers several different streams, each with its own rules. Here’s a simple breakdown of the main ones:

Tourism and Hospitality Stream

• Who is it for? People working in Alberta’s tourism and hospitality sector, such as hotels, restaurants, and travel companies.
• Requirements:
  • Must have worked for a tourism or hospitality business in Alberta for at least six months
  • Must have a full-time job offer from an approved employer
  • Must meet education and language requirements

This stream was created in 2024 to help businesses find workers for jobs that are hard to fill.

Alberta Opportunity Stream

• Who is it for? People with work experience in Alberta, often in jobs that are in demand.
• Requirements:
  • Must be working in Alberta in an eligible occupation
  • Must have a valid work permit
  • Must meet education, language, and income requirements

Recent draws have focused on sectors like aviation and construction, but the stream is open to many types of workers.

Rural Renewal Stream

• Who is it for? People who want to live and work in smaller communities outside Alberta’s big cities.
• Requirements:
  • Must have a job offer from an employer in a participating rural community
  • Must meet language, education, and work experience requirements

This stream helps rural areas attract new residents and fill local job openings.

Dedicated Health Care Pathway

• Who is it for? Healthcare workers, such as nurses, doctors, and support staff.
• Requirements:
  • Must have a job offer in a healthcare occupation
  • Must meet language and education requirements

There are two versions: one linked to Express Entry and one that is not.

How Does the Provincial Nomination Process Work?

The process for getting nominated by Alberta through the AAIP involves several steps:

1. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): You create a profile and tell Alberta you want to immigrate through a specific stream.
2. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): If Alberta selects your profile, you get an invitation to submit a full application.
3. Apply for Provincial Nomination: You send in all required documents and information to the Alberta government.
4. Get Nominated: If your application is approved, Alberta gives you a provincial nomination.
5. Apply for Permanent Residence:
   • If you applied through a basic PNP stream, you apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.
   • If you applied through an Express Entry-aligned stream, you get 600 extra points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which almost guarantees you’ll get an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.

For more details on the AAIP and its streams, you can visit the official Alberta Advantage Immigration Program page.

Processing Times and Backlogs: What to Expect

While Alberta is issuing many nominations, there are some delays in processing at the federal level. According to IRCC data, the backlog for Provincial Nominee Program (Express Entry) applications was 44% in March 2025, much higher than the expected 30%. This means that even after getting a provincial nomination, some candidates may have to wait longer than usual for their permanent residence applications to be processed.

Why Is Alberta Focusing on These Sectors?

Alberta’s economy depends on workers in many different fields. The province is facing shortages in:

• Tourism and hospitality: Hotels, restaurants, and travel companies need staff, especially as tourism grows.
• Healthcare: Hospitals and clinics need nurses, doctors, and support workers.
• Aviation and construction: These sectors are growing, and there aren’t enough skilled workers to fill all the jobs.
• Agriculture: Farms and food processing plants need workers, especially in rural areas.

By targeting these sectors, Alberta hopes to keep its economy strong and make sure businesses can find the people they need.

What Does This Mean for Immigrants and Employers?

For people hoping to move to Alberta, these draws offer real chances to get permanent residence, especially if you have work experience in one of the targeted sectors. However, the high number of EOIs in the pool—especially for the Alberta Opportunity Stream—means that competition is tough. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation, as Alberta selects candidates based on the province’s needs and the number of available nomination spaces.

For employers, the AAIP is a way to fill jobs that are hard to staff with local workers. By supporting a candidate’s application, employers can help bring in skilled workers who are committed to living and working in Alberta.

Key Takeaways for Applicants

• Check if you qualify: Review the requirements for the Alberta Opportunity Stream, Tourism and Hospitality Stream, and other AAIP pathways.
• Submit a strong EOI: Make sure your profile is complete and accurate. Highlight your work experience, education, and language skills.
• Be patient: Processing times can be long, especially for Express Entry-aligned streams.
• Stay informed: Alberta’s nomination allocations and selection priorities can change during the year. Keep checking official updates.

What’s Next for Alberta’s Immigration Program?

With more than half of its 2025 nomination spaces still available, Alberta is expected to continue holding regular draws throughout the year. The province will likely keep focusing on sectors with the biggest labor shortages, such as tourism, hospitality, healthcare, and skilled trades.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, Alberta’s targeted approach helps both newcomers and local employers by matching skilled immigrants with real job needs. This benefits the province’s economy and helps immigrants build successful lives in Alberta.

Where to Find More Information

If you’re interested in applying through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, always use official sources for the most up-to-date information. You can find detailed eligibility criteria, application guides, and forms on the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program website.

For those applying through Express Entry, you’ll need to use the IRCC’s Express Entry system and may need to fill out forms such as IMM 0008 (Generic Application Form for Canada).

Final Thoughts

Alberta’s recent draws under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program show that the province remains open to newcomers who can help fill important jobs. Whether you’re already working in Alberta or hoping to move there, understanding the requirements for streams like the Alberta Opportunity Stream and the Tourism and Hospitality Stream is key. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can improve your chances of being selected and starting a new life in Alberta.

Stay tuned for more updates as Alberta continues to invite skilled workers and support its growing economy.

Learn Today

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program → Provincial program to nominate skilled workers for permanent residence in Alberta, Canada.
Expression of Interest (EOI) → A profile submitted by candidates to indicate their wish to be nominated by Alberta.
Invitation to Apply (ITA) → An official call from Alberta to submit a full provincial nomination application.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) → Canada’s immigration program allowing provinces to nominate individuals for permanent residence.
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) → Point-based system used by Express Entry to rank candidates for Canadian immigration.

This Article in a Nutshell

Alberta’s May 2025 draws invited hundreds via the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, focusing on sectors like tourism, healthcare, and construction to address labor shortages rapidly.
— By VisaVerge.com