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Dear future neighbour,

Alberta has just made headlines with a series of immigration draws that could shape the lives of thousands of skilled workers and families. Between September 2 and 17, 2025, the province invited more than 2,800 candidates through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP).

For newcomers hoping to settle in Alberta, this is more than just another round of numbers. It’s a clear signal that the province is doubling down on immigration to meet its workforce demands in healthcare, agriculture, construction, aviation, technology, and even law enforcement.

Alberta’s Early September Draws

The month started with a bang. Over just nine days (September 2–10), Alberta conducted seven targeted draws and issued 1,376 invitations.

Here’s a breakdown of what those draws looked like:

What stands out here?

• The Opportunity Stream draw on September 4 was by far the largest, with 891 invitations — almost two-thirds of the early September total.

• Healthcare and agriculture draws had cut-offs as low as 44–49, reflecting Alberta’s urgent need for workers in those sectors.

• Even niche draws, like aviation (30 invites), highlight Alberta’s strategy of targeting very specific skills.

In short, the province was laying the groundwork early in September, balancing large general draws with sector-focused ones.

Mid-September Surprise: Massive Draws and New Sectors

If early September was busy, the second half of the month turned it into a record-setter. Between September 12 and 17, Alberta held three more draws, this time issuing 1,443 additional invitations.

Highlights from this round:

• The September 12 draw was a blockbuster: 1,113 invitations in one go, through the Alberta Opportunity Stream. It was one of the single biggest AAIP draws of 2025.

• The Accelerated Tech Pathway (Sept 16) kept Alberta’s momentum in attracting highly skilled IT professionals, offering 320 invitations at a cut-off score of 69.

• The Law Enforcement draw (Sept 17) was small, with only 10 invitations, but it’s notable. It shows Alberta is willing to use immigration to address niche shortages in public safety and policing.

Why This Month Is So Significant

1. Scale of Invitations
   In just over two weeks, Alberta invited 2,819 candidates — more than some provinces do in half a year.

2. Low Cut-Offs = More Opportunity
   Many draws had cut-offs in the 40s, 50s, and 60s, opening doors for candidates who might not stand a chance in federal Express Entry draws, where scores are often above 500.

3. Sectoral Precision
   Rather than casting a wide net, Alberta is laser-focused on areas where the province feels the pinch: healthcare, agriculture, aviation, construction, technology, and law enforcement.

4. Closing in on the Cap
   Alberta’s federal allocation for 2025 was originally 4,875 nominations, but in early September, the federal government granted an additional 1,528 nomination slots, bringing the total to 6,403.
   By September 24, the province had already issued 3,983 nominations, leaving roughly 2,400 spaces still available for the rest of the year. This boost gives Alberta breathing room to continue its aggressive draw strategy without running out of capacity too soon.

What This Means for Candidates

For anyone hoping to move to Alberta, these draws are both encouraging and a call to action.

• If your CRS score is moderate (40s–60s): Alberta is one of the best chances you have right now in Canada.

• If you work in healthcare, agriculture, construction, tech, aviation, or law enforcement: Your odds of getting noticed are significantly higher.

• If you already live and work in Alberta: The Opportunity Stream is clearly a priority pathway, giving strong preference to in-province workers.

• If you’re considering Alberta: Act quickly — the province is approaching its nomination cap for 2025, and large draws may taper off later this year.

FAQs: Alberta’s PNP Explained

1. What is the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)?
The AAIP is Alberta’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). It allows the province to select candidates who meet its labour market needs and nominate them for Canadian permanent residency.

2. What is the Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS)?
The AOS is for foreign nationals already working in Alberta on valid work permits. It’s designed to help skilled workers with jobs in the province transition to permanent residency.

3. How do CRS scores apply in Alberta’s draws?
Alberta sometimes uses its own scoring system, but many draws are linked to the federal Express Entry pool, where the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) determines eligibility. Alberta often sets much lower score cut-offs compared to federal draws.

4. Why are Alberta’s cut-offs so low compared to federal Express Entry draws?
Because Alberta targets specific occupations and sectors, the province can invite candidates with moderate scores if they have the right skills or ties to Alberta.

5. How close is Alberta to its 2025 nomination limit?
After the extra 1,528 slots were added, Alberta’s total cap for 2025 rose to 6,403 nominations. By late September, 3,983 of these had already been issued — meaning around 2,400 remain for the rest of the year.

Final Thoughts

September 2025 will go down as one of the busiest months in Alberta’s immigration history. With over 2,800 invitations issued in just 15 days and a larger allocation of nomination slots, the province is making it clear: if you have the skills Alberta needs, now is the time to act.

For skilled workers worldwide, Alberta isn’t just a destination — it’s an opportunity waiting to be seized.

Need help with your Canadian immigration process?

Whether you’re applying for a visitor visa, submitting a work permit or visa application, creating an Expression of Interest (EOI), setting up an Express Entry or Provincial Nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an Invitation to Apply, or simply want a professional review of your self-prepared application, we’re here to assist you.

Schedule a consultation or contact us at:
info@eseumohimmigration.com