These are the Candidates Alberta Is Prioritizing for Permanent Residence in 2026

Alberta has officially unveiled its 2026 permanent residence strategy, providing immigration hopefuls witha clearer picture of who Alberta is prioritizing for permanent residence in 2026. The update follows the federal government's confirmation of Alberta’s nomination allocation under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), making it one of the most transparent provincial programs in Canada this year.

According to information published on January 13, 2026, Alberta is prioritizing candidates for permanent residence in 2026 who are already contributing to the provincial economy, working in high-demand sectors, or are willing to settle in rural communities. This announcement is especially important for temporary foreign workers, international graduates, healthcare professionals, tech workers, and Francophone candidates.

Use the Alberta PNP Points Calculator to quickly estimate your eligibility score, assess CRS factors, and plan a clear pathway to Canada PR.

Alberta’s 2026 Nomination Allocation: What’s Confirmed

For 2026, Alberta has been granted 6,403 provincial nomination spaces, the same elevated allocation it received after increases in 2025. This represents a 31% jump compared to Alberta’s original 2025 allocation of 4,875 nominations.

Key highlights:

1. Alberta has already issued 111 nominations early in 2026
2. Alberta is the fourth province to publish its 2026 allocation, after British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Yukon
3. Alberta is the only province to release a detailed, stream-by-stream nomination plan

This clarity makes it easier to understand which candidates Alberta is prioritizing for permanent residence in 2026.

How Alberta Plans to Use Its 2026 Nomination Spaces

Alberta has clearly outlined how its 6,403 AAIP nominations are expected to be distributed across immigration streams. While the province notes that allocations can change, the current plan sends a strong message about Alberta’s PR priorities in 2026.

Planned AAIP nomination distribution for 2026

More than half of all nominations are reserved for the Alberta Opportunity Stream, reinforcing that Alberta is prioritizing workers already living and working in the province for permanent residence in 2026.

Which Candidates Is Alberta Prioritizing for PR in 2026

Alberta has confirmed several priority sectors that will receive special attention under the AAIP in 2026. These priorities largely continue from 2025, with one notable addition.

Top priority sectors in Alberta for 2026

1. Healthcare
2. Technology
3. Construction
4. Manufacturing
5. Aviation
6. Agriculture

The inclusion of manufacturing as a highlighted sector signals growing labour shortages, further clarifying which candidates Alberta is prioritizing for permanent residence in 2026.

In addition:

1. Candidates with job offers in rural Alberta will be prioritized under the Rural Renewal Stream
2. Alberta may still issue invitations outside these sectors, depending on labour needs

Extra Federal PR Spaces: More Opportunities in 2026

Beyond Alberta’s 6,403 nominations, the federal government has introduced 10,000 additional PR selection spaces across all Provincial Nominee Programs.

These are reserved for:

1. 5,000 licensed, practice-ready physicians
2. 5,000 French-speaking immigrants

Important points:

1. These nominations do not count toward Alberta’s main allocation
2. Alberta can nominate more than 6,403 candidates in 2026
3. No new AAIP streams are being created—existing pathways will be used

Eligibility snapshot

1. Physicians:

Job offer under NOC 31100, 31101, or 31102 and eligibility under Alberta’s Dedicated Healthcare Pathway

2. Francophone candidates:

AAIP-eligible occupation and NCLC 5 in all language skills

This further strengthens Alberta’s position as a top province for permanent residence in 2026.

EOIs and Applications: What the Backlog Looks Like

Alberta also shared important data on how competitive the system currently is.

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) in Alberta (January 2026)

Applications awaiting processing

This data shows strong competition, especially for those asking which candidates Alberta is prioritizing for permanent residence in 2026.

What Alberta’s 2025 Data Tells Us About 2026

Looking back:

1. Alberta issued 6,603 nominations in 2025
2. Over 85% went to workers already in Alberta
3. Most invitations came through the Alberta Opportunity Stream

This trend continues in 2026, confirming that Alberta is prioritizing in-province workers for permanent residence.

Conclusion: Alberta’s PR Strategy for 2026 Is Clear

To sum up, Alberta is prioritizing candidates for permanent residence in 2026 who:

1. Are already working in Alberta
2. Have job offers in key sectors
3. Are healthcare workers, tech professionals, or Francophone applicants
4. Are open to settling in rural communities

With one of the largest and most transparent PNP allocations in Canada, Alberta remains a top destination for skilled immigrants.

Alberta PNP Draw invites skilled workers with in-demand profiles, offering faster PR pathways, CRS-based selection, and job prospects.

How Visa Solutions 4u Can Help

Navigating Alberta permanent residence pathways in 2026 can be complex due to high competition and changing priorities.

Visa Solutions 4u can help you by:

1. Identifying the best AAIP stream for your profile
2. Assisting with EOI creation and optimization
3. Guiding healthcare, tech, and Francophone applicants
4. Ensuring your application aligns with Alberta’s 2026 priorities

With professional guidance from Visa Solutions 4u, you can improve your chances of securing permanent residence in Alberta in 2026.