Alberta Issues 683 PR Invitations in Three August 2025 Draws

(ALBERTA) Alberta issued 683 invitations for permanent residency in three draws this month under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), the largest set of August selections so far in 2025. The province ran targeted rounds on August 7 and August 11 for the Dedicated Health Care Pathway and a high-volume general draw on August 12 for the Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS). The results arrive amid tightened provincial nomination space, higher application fees, and a record-sized Expression of Interest (EOI) pool, raising the bar for many candidates seeking to settle in Canada 🇨🇦.

August draw breakdown

• August 7, 2025: 63 invitations, Dedicated Health Care Pathway – Express Entry, minimum score 56
• August 11, 2025: 39 invitations, Dedicated Health Care Pathway – Non-Express Entry, minimum score 53
• August 12, 2025: 581 invitations, Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS), minimum score 70

Together, these selections show how Alberta continues to prize healthcare talent while keeping space for in-province workers through AOS. Healthcare candidates again saw lower cut-off scores, while the AOS draw demanded a 70 to receive an invitation.

Current program numbers and pool pressure

• 3,251 nominations issued as of August 15, 2025 (out of an annual allocation of 4,875)
• 1,624 nomination spots remaining for the rest of the year
• Over 63,000 candidates now in the AAIP pool
  • More than 41,000 EOIs are in the AOS alone

With that many profiles and fewer nominations available, selection remains tight. VisaVerge.com reports that program changes made this spring, combined with the large pool size, are shaping tougher competition across most streams.

Important: For official program timelines and draw reporting, see Alberta’s AAIP processing page: https://www.alberta.ca/aaip-processing-information.

Policy changes reshaping selection

AAIP’s 2025 rule changes continue to affect who gets selected and how fast applications move.

• Language testing flexibility (since April 1, 2025):
  • Alberta now accepts Pearson Test of English (PTE) Core across all AAIP streams, alongside IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada, and TCF.
  • PTE Core results typically arrive within 48 hours, letting applicants update their EOI sooner and, in some cases, improve scores quickly.

• Fee increases (effective April 1, 2025):
  • Application fees rose from $840 CAD to $1,500 CAD.
  • The higher fee applies to: Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS), Express Entry Stream, Rural Renewal Stream, and Tourism and Hospitality Stream.
  • Families and employers should plan for this higher cost at application stage.
• Priority processing discontinued (since March 17, 2025):
  • AAIP ended priority processing for family connections and in-demand occupations, including healthcare.
  • Candidates may still claim points for family ties, but they no longer move faster because of them.
• Fewer nominations this year:
  • Provincial allocation fell by half: 9,750 (2024) → 4,875 (2025).
  • Result: higher cut-offs and longer waits between draws for many profiles.

Operational picture and backlog pressure

This month’s draws illustrate AAIP’s balancing act between immediate labour needs and the backlog:

• The Dedicated Health Care Pathway continues to target nurses, doctors, and allied professionals at lower scores to address ongoing shortages.
• The AOS selection on August 12 brought in 581 candidates at a 70 score — reflecting strong interest from workers already in Alberta who are trying to transition to permanent status.
• AAIP indicates typical cut-off ranges of 50–75, depending on the stream. Health streams usually sit at the lower end because of urgent demand.
• With 41,000+ AOS EOIs, even small score gains—such as improved language test results or added experience—can materially affect selection chances.

The fee hike to $1,500 has also altered planning for families. While the province aimed to modernize and cover program costs, the jump requires careful budgeting, especially for couples or families with multiple eligible workers.

At the same time, PTE Core gives much faster language results, which may help candidates react to shifting cut-offs or new draw trends.

The Tourism and Hospitality Stream (launched March 2024) remains open to fill roles in hotels, restaurants, and related services. It did not feature in August selections but remains part of AAIP’s toolkit to respond to labour gaps.

Provincial officials emphasize that AAIP will focus on areas of real need, especially healthcare and other essential jobs. Immigration consultants expect steady pressure on scores while nomination spaces remain tight in 2025.

What applicants can do now

For those aiming to use AAIP—especially AOS and the Dedicated Health Care Pathway—preparation and timing matter. Key actions:

• Align your profile with Alberta’s priority fields: healthcare, tech, construction, hospitality.
• Consider PTE Core for quick language results; faster scores may let you refresh your EOI sooner.
• Budget for the $1,500 CAD application fee, which applies across major AAIP streams.
• Keep proof of employment, education, and licensing up to date, particularly for regulated health roles.
• Remember: family ties still add points, but they no longer speed up processing.

AAIP’s 2025 step-by-step process

1. Check eligibility for your target stream (AOS or Dedicated Health Care Pathway).
2. Take an approved language test: IELTS, CELPIP, PTE Core, TEF Canada, or TCF.
3. Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) to enter the pool.
4. Watch for a Notification of Interest (NOI) if selected.
5. Submit your online application and pay $1,500 CAD.
6. Wait for AAIP’s assessment and possible nomination.
7. If nominated, apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.

Given the remaining 1,624 nominations this year, Alberta is expected to continue drawing according to labour needs. Healthcare candidates may keep seeing lower cut-offs. AOS cut-offs may fluctuate based on the province’s decisions to relieve pressure in its large pool.

Applicants often ask whether it’s still worth entering the pool with mid-range scores. Short answer: yes, if your occupation matches Alberta’s needs and you can raise your EOI points over time. Examples:

• A healthcare worker who takes PTE Core might lift language points within days.
• A construction or tech worker might add points through recent Alberta work experience.

None of this guarantees a Notification of Interest, but it can position a profile closer to the next invite round.

Key takeaway: Timing and preparedness matter. When the province shifts focus between streams, a ready file can move quickly once an NOI arrives. Keep documents updated, monitor AAIP updates, and plan for fees and licensing steps tied to your occupation.

Alberta’s August draws show a program trying to balance immediate shortages with long-term settlement goals. With fewer nominations in 2025 and a very large EOI pool, applicants should expect steady competition through year-end. Still, the combination of targeted healthcare draws, steady AOS selections, and faster language testing gives motivated candidates clear ways to improve their chances in the months ahead.