The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has officially closed its intake for the year after reaching its full 2025 nomination allocation. In a recent update, the province confirmed that it has issued all 6,741 nominations for 2025, with the final draws prioritizing candidates in the healthcare sector.
Summary of the Announcement
The Government of Alberta has announced that the AAIP, the province’s key economic immigration driver, has met its federally-approved nomination quota for 2025. This means that no further Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for a provincial nomination will be issued for the remainder of the year. The final rounds of invitations were sent to candidates in healthcare-focused streams, underscoring the province’s commitment to addressing labour shortages in this critical sector.
What Does This Update Mean?
Reaching the annual allocation cap is a standard part of how Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) operate. For Alberta, this means the program is now paused for new invitations until it receives its new allocation for 2026 from the federal government, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This temporary closure allows the province to process the applications it has already received and prepare for the next intake cycle.
Who Is Affected?
This announcement directly impacts several groups:
- Prospective AAIP Applicants: Individuals who were planning to submit a profile or were hoping to receive an invitation from Alberta in 2025 will now need to wait for the program to reopen in 2026.
- Candidates in the Express Entry Pool: Applicants in the federal Express Entry system who were targeting a provincial nomination from Alberta to boost their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score are affected.
- Alberta Employers: Companies in Alberta that rely on the AAIP to hire and retain foreign talent may need to adjust their recruitment strategies until the program reopens.
- Healthcare Professionals: While the final draws favoured this group, other healthcare workers who had not yet been invited will also have to wait for the 2026 intake.
What Can You Do Now?
If you were impacted by this pause, this is not a dead end but rather a time to strategize and prepare for the future. Here are some actionable next steps:
- Prepare for 2026: Use this time to strengthen your profile. This could involve improving your language test scores (IELTS, CELPIP), completing an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), or gaining more relevant work experience.
- Explore Other Programs: Canada has numerous immigration pathways. Investigate other Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) where your skills and experience may be in demand. You can also focus on improving your CRS score to receive an invitation directly through a federal Express Entry draw.
- Stay Informed: Keep a close watch on the official AAIP website for announcements regarding the 2026 program opening, new allocation numbers, and any potential changes to program criteria or eligible occupations.
What This Means for Alberta’s 2026 Immigration Strategy
While the 2025 chapter is closed, all eyes are now on 2026. Typically, IRCC announces new PNP allocation numbers early in the new year. Stakeholders are hopeful for an increased allocation for Alberta in 2026 to meet its growing labour market demands. It is also common for provinces to update their stream requirements or target occupations list at the start of a new program year. Therefore, applicants should prepare for potential policy shifts and be ready to act quickly once the 2026 program details are released.