Starting April 7, 2026, foreign nationals interested in submitting a Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI) under Alberta’s immigration program will be required to pay a $135 fee.

Previously, the submission of a WEOI, which serves as a candidate profile, was free. All other AAIP fees will remain unchanged.

Fee Application and Eligible Streams

The fee will be applicable 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.

Understanding the WEOI System

Since September 30, 2024, the AAIP has implemented an expression of interest system to manage applications to its worker streams.

Candidates complete a WEOI form in the AAIP portal, providing information about their work experience, education, language proficiency, and other relevant factors. Each WEOI is evaluated based on the program’s points grid and placed in a pool.

The AAIP then conducts draws from the pool considering provincial labor market requirements, sector priorities, and available nomination spaces.

Selected candidates receive an invitation to apply for provincial nomination. Upon receiving the invitation, they submit a comprehensive application, along with the $1,500 application fee, and transition to applicants. If the application is approved, the candidate obtains a provincial nomination, which can be used to apply for Canadian permanent residence 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 complete AAIP fee schedule, effective April 7, 2026, is as follows: