Alberta Dedicated Health Care Pathway: Requirements and Steps

Alberta created the Dedicated Health Care Pathway to recruit and keep health workers. It sits inside the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, Alberta's Provincial Nominee Program, and it is one of the pathways of the Alberta Express Entry Stream. Unlike the other Express Entry pathways, it also has a separate non-Express Entry option.

Alberta treats health care as a top priority. Applications in this pathway get expedited processing. As of mid-September 2026, AAIP reported:

These numbers change during the year. Check AAIP's processing information page for current figures.

Alberta lists nine eligible professions:

• Physicians
• Registered nurses (RNs)
• Licensed practical nurses (LPNs)
• Nurse practitioners (NPs)
• Physician assistants
• Occupational therapists
• Physiotherapists
• Clinical social workers
• Psychologists

For each profession, you must show that you are registered with, or have proof of your ability to practice from, the Alberta regulatory college for that profession. Getting licensed can take months and often involves exams, credential reviews, or supervised practice. Start with the college before you look at immigration steps.

Other health jobs, such as nurse aides or health care aides, are not on this list. They may fit the Alberta Opportunity Stream instead, which has its own language rule for nurse aides.

Express Entry option

You need an active Express Entry profile, a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 300, and eligibility for the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, or the Federal Skilled Trades Program. A nomination adds 600 CRS points.

Non-Express Entry option

This option is for people with an eligible job offer who cannot meet Express Entry thresholds. You need CLB 5 in each language skill, from an approved test (CELPIP, IELTS, PTE, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada) that is less than two years old. If you are already working in Alberta, you must keep a valid work permit, or maintained status, while Alberta processes your file.

Your job offer must be:

• Valid and verifiable
• From an Alberta employer in the health care sector
• From an employer with Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) coverage

Alberta checks that the job is real. A job offer you paid for is not valid. Employer fees are illegal in the AAIP. If a recruiter asks for money to place you in an Alberta hospital or clinic, read our scam protection guide.

Both options run through Alberta's Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI) system:

• Submit a WEOI and pay $135 (since April 7, 2026). It is scored on a 100-point grid and stays valid for one year.
• AAIP holds draws for each option. On September 9, 2026, a draw for the Express Entry option invited 51 candidates with a minimum score of 60. Earlier 2026 draws also targeted the non-Express Entry option.
• If invited, accept within 15 days, then complete, submit, and pay the $1,500 application fee within 30 days.

You can also compare this route with federal Express Entry healthcare category draws and, for doctors with Canadian experience, the physicians category. You can be in the Express Entry pool and have an Alberta WEOI at the same time.

Licensing is often the biggest cost and the longest step. Colleges may charge for credential reviews, exams, and registration, and some require bridging courses or supervised practice. Budget for this before you move.

Timing. Alberta gives this pathway expedited processing. In September 2026, AAIP was assessing Dedicated Health Care applications received up to July 30, 2026. After nomination, the Express Entry option follows normal Express Entry timelines, while the non-Express Entry option goes through the slower base PNP process. See processing times.

Keep your job offer, license, and immigration status valid until you get permanent residence.

• Express Entry option: accept the nomination in your IRCC account. You should receive an invitation to apply in a later federal draw. See from ITA to COPR.
• Non-Express Entry option: submit a base provincial nominee application to IRCC. These take longer. Check processing times.

In both cases you will need a medical exam, police certificates, and biometrics. Keep your license and job offer in good standing until you land.

If you have a criminal record, a prior refusal, or a gap in your status, speak to a lawyer or licensed consultant (RCIC) before you apply.