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Alberta Gets a Major Boost in Provincial Nomination Slots
Alberta is set to welcome more newcomers this year thanks to a rise in its provincial nomination allocation. The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has received an increased nomination quota from Canada’s federal government, allowing the province to nominate a higher number of candidates for permanent residence (PR) in 2025.
The total allocation now stands at 6,403 nominations, up 1,528 spots from the previous limit of 4,875. With this adjustment, Alberta has regained 65% of its 2024 nomination allocation, which was 9,750 spots, giving skilled workers and newcomers more opportunities to settle in the province.
Impact on AAIP Candidates
The AAIP will soon update its “processing page” to provide details on how the new allocation will affect its different streams. According to the program, the increase will help “support regional labour market needs and advance key provincial priorities.” While the exact distribution of these extra 1,500+ nominations is not yet confirmed, it is expected that candidates with in-demand occupational experience may receive priority.
Under the previous allocation of 4,875 nominations, 2,592 nominations (53%) were dedicated to the Alberta Opportunity Stream, highlighting the province’s focus on meeting local labor market requirements.
Reason for the Initial Reduction
In late 2024, the previous federal administration reduced immigration levels for 2025–2027 due to concerns around housing supply and affordability. This included a 50% reduction in overall landings for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), lowering the number from 110,000 to 55,000. This change directly impacted the number of nominations allocated to each province, forcing provinces to prioritize candidates who align with local labor market needs and provincial priorities.
Other Provinces Seeing Increased Allocations
Alberta is among several provinces and territories that have recently received increased nominations after lobbying the federal government. Other regions benefiting from higher allocations include:
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
- Northwest Territories
These increases provide provinces with greater flexibility to address labor shortages while giving more skilled candidates the opportunity to settle in Canada.