BC and Alberta Get More 2026 Provincial Nominations: BC Rises to 6,254, Alberta to 6,603

What happened

Two western provinces received extra provincial nominee spaces from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in August 2026:

• British Columbia: On August 18, 2026, the BC Provincial Nominee Program said the federal government had allocated 1,000 additional nominations. This raises BC’s 2026 total to 6,254. The program said it plans to use the full allocation by December 31, 2026.
• Alberta: On August 10, 2026, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) said IRCC had given it 200 more nominations, raising its 2026 total to 6,603. AAIP publishes the split by stream on its processing page.

These increases sit within the national target of 91,500 PNP admissions in 2026 set by the 2026-2028 Levels Plan, up from 55,000 in 2025.

Who is affected

Candidates in the BC PNP and AAIP pools, including temporary workers and graduates already in these provinces. BC’s program is now focused on its Care (health and childcare), Build (construction trades) and Innovate streams. Alberta’s worker draws prioritize health, tech, construction, manufacturing, aviation, agriculture and rural communities.

What it means for your move

More spaces mean more invitations before the year ends, which is good news for people whose work permits are close to expiry. A provincial nomination linked to Express Entry adds 600 points to your Comprehensive Ranking System score, which effectively guarantees a federal invitation. Recent PNP rounds in Express Entry had cutoffs of 697 to 760. Base (non-Express Entry) nominations lead to a separate PR application.

The extra spaces are modest. BC’s increase is about 19% on its earlier 5,254; Alberta’s is about 3%. Competition for nominations remains strong.

What to do now

• Make sure your BC PNP registration or AAIP expression of interest is current and accurate, including job, wage and language details.
• Check whether your occupation fits BC’s Care, Build or Innovate focus. See our BC PNP guide.
• Compare provinces in our 2026 PNP allocations guide.
• Keep an Express Entry profile active if you are eligible, so an enhanced nomination can be used quickly.
• Ask a licensed consultant (RCIC) if you are unsure which stream fits.

What happens next

BC says it will use its full allocation by December 31, 2026. Other provinces may also receive or announce changes, so check their official pages. The 2027-2029 Levels Plan, due by November 1, 2026, will set next year’s PNP target. Follow our PNP guide, Canada page and updates.