Alberta invites 180 Express Entry candidates to apply for provincial nomination in latest draw

Alberta has released the details of the latest draw through its Express Entry-linked provincial nomination stream, which took place July 10.

A total of 180 Notifications of Interest (NOIs) were issued to Express Entry candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores as low as 425.

The Alberta Express Entry Stream allows the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) to search the federal Express Entry pool for candidates who meet the stream's eligibility criteria. For more on the federal government's Express Entry system, see below or visit this dedicated page.

Express Entry candidates with a provincial nomination receive an additional 600 points toward their CRS score and are effectively guaranteed an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence (ITA) from the Government of Canada.

A job offer or previous work experience in Alberta is not required in order to be eligible for the Alberta Express Entry Stream, but candidates must demonstrate "strong ties to Alberta" and be working in an occupation that supports the province's economic development and diversification priorities. Alberta does not provide a list of eligible occupations.

The AINP also says it may give priority to candidates with:

a job offer and/or work experience in Alberta;
a degree from a Canadian post-secondary institution and a valid job offer; or
a parent, child or sibling already living in Alberta.

The AINP has held 17 draws through the Alberta Express Entry Stream so far this year and issued a total of 3,996 NOIs.

The minimum score of 425 was the highest so far for an Alberta Express Entry Stream draw. However, it was well below the most recent cut-off score for a federal Express Entry draw, which was 460.

The lowest cut-off score in the 13 all-program federal Express Entry draw so far in 2019 was 438.

Alberta has selected Express Entry candidates with CRS scores as low as 300 through the Alberta Express Entry Stream on four occasions in 2019. Three draws had a minimum CRS score of 301 and one other had a cut-off CRS score of 302.

What is the federal Express Entry system?

The Express Entry system manages the pool of candidates for three of Canada's main economic immigration programs — the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class and Canadian Experience Class.

Eligible candidates for these programs are entered into the Express Entry pool and assigned a score based on factors that include age, education, skilled work experience and proficiency in English or French.

A set number of the highest-scoring candidates are issued an invitation to apply for permanent residence (ITA) from the Government of Canada through regular draws from the pool.

To be considered for a provincial nomination through the Alberta Express Entry Stream, the first step is to enter a profile in the Express Entry pool.

Find out if you are eligible to enter the Express Entry pool