Manitoba and Alberta Hold Record Provincial Draws in July 2026: Over 3,300 Invitations Issued | ImmigraCan
· | Categoria: PNP
Check out the updates from the MPNP and AAIP provincial programs in July 2026. Manitoba runs its largest EOI draw of the year and Alberta holds 6 rounds focused on healthcare, IT and communities.
Prairie provinces lead provincial nomination issuance in mid-2026
While eastern and western provinces restructure their immigration streams, Canada's central provinces (the *Prairies*) — specifically Manitoba and Alberta — stepped up candidate selection throughout July 2026, issuing more than 3,300 permanent residence invitations in under three weeks combined.
Recent data confirms that the decentralization of immigration in Canada remains on a strong trajectory, offering solid opportunities for international students, healthcare professionals, local skilled workers and candidates with family ties.
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Manitoba (MPNP): The Largest Draw of the Year (Draw #275)
On July 16, 2026, the province of Manitoba held round MPNP EOI Draw #275, resulting in the issuance of 2,146 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs). This was the largest selection the province has run this year.
#### Distribution of Nominations by Stream:
1. Skilled Worker in Manitoba (1,874 invitations):
* Requirement: candidates with graduate or undergraduate education completed in Manitoba and an employment tie to the province.
* Minimum score: 825 points on the provincial EOI system.
2. Graduate Internship Pathway (78 invitations):
* Profile: master's and doctoral graduates from Manitoba in STEM fields who completed an industry research internship.
3. Francophone Candidates (84 invitations):
* Profile: French-proficient candidates selected directly with a lower score threshold.
4. Specific Healthcare Occupations (24 invitations):
* Profile: nurses, physicians and health technicians.
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Alberta (AAIP): 6 Rounds Focused on Strategic Sectors
The *Alberta Advantage Immigration Program* (AAIP) kept up an accelerated pace in the first half of July 2026, holding six selection rounds between July 3 and 15, totaling 1,177 invitations.
#### Spotlight on the Alberta Opportunity Stream (July 15):
On July 15, Alberta held a large round under the *Alberta Opportunity Stream*, issuing 833 invitations with a minimum cutoff score of just 53 points on the province's assessment system.
Other smaller rounds during the same week covered:
* Healthcare Professionals (Healthcare Stream).
* Developers and IT Professionals (Dedicated Healthcare and Tech Pathways).
* Rural Community Workers (Rural Renewal Stream).
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How to Position Yourself for Provincial Opportunities?
Provincial nominations (PNP) remain the most valuable tool for securing permanent residence in Canada, since they grant 600 additional points on Express Entry.
To boost your chances in the Prairie provinces:
* Manitoba: ideal for anyone planning to study or who already has family living in the province.
* Alberta: excellent for technology, healthcare and trade professionals with active job offers in the province.
> [!TIP]
> Explore our Complete Guide to the Provinces (PNP) and check the detailed requirements for each program, or run a Scenario Simulation.