Alberta's immigration landscape has received significant positive news. According to the latest information, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has received federal approval for a substantial increase in its provincial nomination allocation for the 2025 calendar year, creating more opportunities for new immigrants wishing to settle in the province.
The province's nomination allocation for the current year has been increased from the original 4,875 to 6,403, adding 1,528 nomination spots. Notably, this adjustment brings Alberta's nomination capacity to approximately 65% of its 2024 allocation level, which was 9,750.
Potential Impact on Applicants
The increased allocation is undoubtedly a positive signal for candidates who are awaiting or planning to apply for the AAIP. The Alberta immigration authority has stated it will soon update details of this change on its official "processing page," clarifying how the increased allocation will be distributed among its various immigration streams.
In a statement, the provincial government specifically emphasized that the increased allocation would "strengthen our ability to support regional labour market needs and advance key provincial priorities." While specific details are yet to be released, this statement suggests that the additional 1,500+ spots will likely be directed towards applicants with experience in occupations that are in high demand within the province.
For context, under the previous limit of 4,875 nominations, the AAIP had dedicated 2,592 spots (53% of the total) to the Alberta Opportunity Stream, a figure that may offer insight into future allocation priorities.
Background of the Allocation Adjustment
This adjustment follows a federal policy shift in late 2024. At that time, the former Liberal government decided to reduce immigration levels for the coming three years (2025-2027) to address growing pressures related to housing supply shortages and affordability issues.
As part of that plan, the federal government cut the total number of landings for all of Canada's Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) by 50%, from a planned 110,000 down to 55,000. This reduction in the Immigration Levels Plan directly decreased the number of nominations allotted to each province, forcing them to reorient their selection criteria to focus more sharply on candidates who align most directly with local labour market needs and provincial priorities.
A Nationwide Trend of Allocation Increases
In response to the federal cuts, immigration authorities from Canada's provinces and territories have been continuously lobbying the federal government to increase their nomination allocations to better support their local economies and societies.
These efforts now appear to be bearing fruit. Alberta is not the only jurisdiction to have its allocation increased. The following provinces and territories have also reportedly received an increase in their provincial nomination allocations:
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Saskatchewan
- The Yukon
- Northwest Territories
This series of adjustments indicates that the federal government is responding to the practical needs of various regions, using more flexible quota management to balance nationwide social pressures with local economic development needs. For prospective immigrants, closely monitoring updates to provincial immigration policies will be crucial.
