Alberta adds a fee for worker expression of interest under AAIP, i.e., starting April 7, 2026, foreign nationals who want to submit a Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI) under Alberta’s immigration program must pay a $135 fee.

Earlier, submitting a WEOI was free. A WEOI works like a profile where candidates show their details. All other fees under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) will stay the same.

The new fee will apply to all candidates applying under AAIP worker streams, including:

  • Alberta Opportunity Stream
  • Alberta Express Entry Stream (Accelerated Tech Pathway, Law Enforcement Pathway, and priority sector draws)
  • Dedicated Health Care Pathways (Express Entry and non-Express Entry)
  • Rural Renewal Stream
  • Tourism and Hospitality Stream

How Does The WEOI System Work?

Since September 30, 2024, the AAIP has been using an Expression of Interest system to manage worker stream applications.

In this system, candidates fill out a WEOI form through the AAIP online portal. They provide details about their work experience, education, language skills, and other important factors. Based on this information, each profile gets a score using the program’s points system and is placed in a selection pool.

The AAIP then invites candidates from this pool based on Alberta’s job market needs, key sectors, and the number of nominations available.

Candidates who are selected receive an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination. After receiving the invitation, they must submit a full application and pay a $1,500 application fee. If the application is approved, they get a provincial nomination. This nomination can then be used to apply for permanent residence (PR) through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The new $135 WEOI fee is separate and must be paid in addition to the $1,500 application fee.

Current AAIP Fee Schedule

The full AAIP fee schedule, effective April 7, 2026, is as follows: 

Service Fee 
Worker Expression of Interest $135 
Worker stream application (Alberta Opportunity Stream, Alberta Express Entry Stream, Rural Renewal Stream, or Tourism and Hospitality Stream) $1,500 
Entrepreneur stream application (Graduate Entrepreneur, Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur, Rural Entrepreneur, or Farm Stream) $3,500 
Entrepreneur Expression of Interest $200 
Nomination extension request $150 
204(c) Letter of Support request $150 
205(a) Letter of Support request $150 
Request for reconsideration $250 
Business Performance Agreement changes $150 

Recent Updates To The WEOI System

On February 25, 2026, the AAIP added new fields to the WEOI form. These fields collect details about wages and working hours for candidates who have a job offer in Alberta.

Any WEOI submitted on or after this date must include this information.

The AAIP has said that this data may be used in future draws. Profiles submitted before February 25 without these details may not be included in certain draws.

AAIP Nominations In 2026

For 2026, the AAIP received 6,403 nomination spaces from IRCC.

As of April 1, the program had already issued 1,475 nominations. There are still 4,928 spots left, and 1,418 applications are currently being processed.

At present, more than 44,000 WEOIs are in the selection pool across all worker streams.

Apart from its main allocation, the AAIP can also issue nominations to practice-ready physicians and French-speaking candidates under a separate federal program. This program offers up to 10,000 nomination spaces across all Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). These nominations do not count toward Alberta’s main allocation of 6,403.

The AAIP has also shared that in 2026, it will focus on selecting candidates working in key sectors such as health care, technology, construction, manufacturing, aviation, agriculture, and communities under the Rural Renewal Stream.

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