Alberta introduces fee to submit a worker expression of interest under the AAIP
Starting April 7, 2026, foreign nationals who wish to submit a Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI) under Alberta’s immigration program will have to pay a $135 fee.
Previously, submitting a WEOI (which functions as a candidate profile) was free. All other AAIP fees remain unchanged.
Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP streams
The fee applies to all candidates in the AAIP's worker streams or pathways, including the:
- 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; and
- Tourism and Hospitality Stream.
How the WEOI system works
Since September 30, 2024, the AAIP has used an expression of interest system to manage applications to its worker streams.
Candidates fill out a WEOI form in the AAIP portal, self-declaring information about their work experience, education, language ability, and other factors. Each WEOI is scored using the program's points grid and placed in a pool.
The AAIP then conducts draws from the pool based on provincial labour market needs, sector priorities, and available nomination spaces.
Candidates selected in a draw receive an invitation to apply for provincial nomination. Once invited, they submit a full application — along with the $1,500 application fee — and become applicants. If the application is approved, the candidate receives a provincial nomination, which they can use to apply for Canadian permanent residence (PR) through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The new $135 WEOI fee is separate from and 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 |
Other recent changes to WEOIs
On February 25, 2026, the AAIP introduced new fields to the WEOI form that collect information on wages and hours of work for candidates with an Alberta job offer.
Any WEOI submitted on or after that date must include this information.
The AAIP has said these factors may be used in future draws. WEOIs submitted before February 25 that are missing this information won't be considered in those draws.
AAIP nominations in 2026
The AAIP received an allocation of 6,403 nominations from IRCC for 2026.
As of April 1, the program had issued 1,475 nominations, with 4,928 spaces remaining and 1,418 applications in the queue.
There are currently over 44,000 WEOIs in the selection pool across all worker streams.
In addition to its base allocation, the AAIP can issue nominations for practice-ready physicians and Francophones under a separate federal initiative that provides up to 10,000 spaces across all Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Nominations issued under this initiative don't count toward Alberta's 6,403 allocation.
The AAIP has said it will prioritize draws and nominations in 2026 for occupations in health care, technology, construction, manufacturing, aviation, agriculture, and communities designated under the Rural Renewal Stream.
- Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
- Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
