Alberta AAIP Sees Active September Draws: Tech, Health Care and AOS Continue to Move

September 2026 has been an active month for the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), with multiple draws covering the Alberta Opportunity Stream, technology, health care, manufacturing, agriculture and law enforcement.

One trend is becoming increasingly clear: Alberta is not simply inviting candidates based on the highest EOI scores. Sector priorities and provincial labour market needs are playing an important role in candidate selection.

AAIP Draws in September 2026

As of September 23, Alberta had published the following draws for September:

• September 1 – Alberta Opportunity Stream: 575 invitations, minimum score 56
• September 3 – Accelerated Tech Pathway: 96 invitations, minimum score 60
• September 9 – Dedicated Health Care Pathway – Express Entry: 51 invitations, minimum score 60
• September 10 – Priority Sectors – Manufacturing: 48 invitations, minimum score 60
• September 15 – Priority Sectors – Agriculture: 18 invitations, minimum score 60
• September 18 – Priority Sectors – Health Care: 100 invitations, minimum score 62
• September 21 – Law Enforcement Pathway: fewer than 10 invitations, minimum score 49
• September 22 – Accelerated Tech Pathway: 100 invitations, minimum score 59
• September 23 – Alberta Opportunity Stream: 113 invitations, minimum score 58

The September draws covered a broad range of programs and sectors, with both the Accelerated Tech Pathway and Alberta Opportunity Stream receiving multiple rounds of invitations.

How Much of Alberta’s 2026 Nomination Allocation Remains?

As of September 23, Alberta had a total 2026 nomination allocation of 6,603 spaces. AAIP had already issued 5,221 nominations, leaving 1,382 nomination spaces available. Approximately 1,092 applications were still being processed.

Although a significant portion of Alberta’s annual allocation has already been used, AAIP continues to conduct draws.

EOI Score Is Not the Only Factor

This is one of the most important points for applicants to understand.

AAIP has made it clear that EOI score is not the only factor considered when selecting candidates. Selection may also reflect Alberta’s labour market needs, program priorities, application volumes and available nomination spaces.

Alberta’s identified priority sectors for 2026 include:

Health Care, Technology, Construction, Manufacturing, Aviation, Agriculture and Rural Renewal communities.

For potential applicants, the question should therefore not simply be: “What is my EOI score?”

It is equally important to ask: “Does my occupation and employment fall within an area that Alberta is currently prioritizing?”

What Does This Mean for Potential Applicants?

For individuals already working in Alberta, or those considering Alberta through an employer-supported immigration strategy, sectors such as technology, health care, manufacturing, agriculture and construction remain particularly important to watch.

Applicants who have an Alberta employer, meet the occupational requirements and maintain valid immigration status should not automatically assume that a relatively modest EOI score means they have no opportunity.

The direction of AAIP in 2026 is increasingly clear: EOI points matter, but occupation, sector, employer and Alberta’s actual labour market needs matter as well.

For anyone considering Alberta immigration, the first step should therefore be to determine not only how many points they have, but also whether their background fits Alberta’s current economic and labour market priorities.