Alberta Adds $135 Fee for Worker Expression of Interest Under Provincial Immigration Program

Quick Summary

Effective April 7, 2026, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has introduced a new $135 fee to submit a Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI).

All other AAIP service fees remain unchanged at this time.

This change is part of the province’s ongoing management of its popular provincial immigration pathway, which allows Alberta to nominate individuals for permanent residence based on local economic needs.

What Is a Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI)?

The Worker Expression of Interest is the first step for many foreign nationals who want to be considered for Alberta’s immigration streams.

When you submit a WEOI, you are not yet applying for a nomination. Instead, you are telling the Alberta government that you are interested in being invited to apply for one of the AAIP’s worker streams.

If your WEOI is selected from the pool, you will receive an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination.

Important: Paying the $135 fee does not guarantee that you will be invited to apply. It only allows your profile to be considered.

New Fee at a Glance

ServiceNew Fee (as of April 7, 2026)
Submission of a Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI)$135

All other AAIP fees remain unchanged.

Complete AAIP Fee Schedule (April 7, 2026)

Here is the full list of current fees for the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program:

ServiceFee
Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI) submission$135 (new)
Applications for: Alberta Opportunity Stream, Alberta Express Entry Stream, Rural Renewal Stream, or Tourism and Hospitality Stream$1,500
Applications for: Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, Rural Entrepreneur Stream, or Farm Stream$3,500
Entrepreneur Expression of Interest (for Graduate Entrepreneur, Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur, or Rural Entrepreneur Stream)$200
Request for Nomination Extension (reissue of expired certificate after 6 months)$150
Request for a 204(c) Letter of Support for work permit$150
Request for a 205(a) Letter of Support for work permit$150
Request for Reconsideration$250
Request for Business Performance Agreement changes$150

Why Did Alberta Introduce This Fee?

The AAIP has grown significantly in recent years. By introducing a modest fee for submitting a Worker Expression of Interest, the province aims to:

  • Help manage the growing number of WEOI submissions
  • Ensure program sustainability
  • Maintain processing efficiency

Many other Canadian provinces already charge similar fees for their Expression of Interest systems.

What Has Not Changed?

All other AAIP service fees remain exactly the same as before. This includes:

  • Application fees for worker streams: still $1,500
  • Entrepreneur stream application fees: still $3,500
  • Entrepreneur Expression of Interest fee: still $200
  • Letters of support, reconsiderations, and extensions: still $150 to $250

Key Things to Remember

  1. Fee is non-refundable – Even if your WEOI is not selected, the $135 will not be returned.
  2. No guarantee of invitation – Submitting a WEOI does not guarantee you will be invited to apply for a nomination.
  3. Other fees unchanged – Only the WEOI submission fee is new.
  4. Effective immediately – The fee applies to all WEOI submissions made on or after April 7, 2026.

Official Source

This information comes directly from the Government of Alberta’s official AAIP Fee Schedule, published by Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration.

For the most up-to-date information, visit:
www.alberta.ca/alberta-advantage-immigration-program

Direct link to fee schedule (PDF):
AAIP Fee Schedule – April 7, 2026

Bottom Line for Applicants

If you are planning to submit a Worker Expression of Interest to the AAIP, budget for the new $135 fee. It is now a required part of the submission process.

For all other AAIP services, fees remain the same as before.

This article is based on the official Government of Alberta fee schedule released April 7, 2026. Always refer to the AAIP website for the most current information before submitting any application or payment.

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