Alberta Immigration Changes in 2026: $135 Fee Added for Worker Profiles

Foreign workers planning to move to Alberta now face a small but important change. Starting from April 7, 2026, the province has introduced a $135 fee to submit a Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI) profile under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP).

Until now, creating a profile was free. The new charge applies only to profile submissions, while other immigration fees remain the same.

Here’s what this means if you are considering working in Alberta.

What is the New $135 Fee?

The new fee applies to foreign workers applying through immigration pathways under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). These include:

• Alberta Opportunity Stream
• Alberta Express Entry Stream
• Dedicated Health Care Pathways
• Rural Renewal Stream
• Tourism and Hospitality Stream

The WEOI profile is the first step in the provincial immigration process. Applicants provide details such as work experience, education, and language ability. Based on this information, profiles are ranked in a pool.

Alberta then invites candidates who match labour market needs and available nomination spots.

$135 Profile Fee Is Separate From $1,500 Application Fee

The new $135 fee does not replace the main application fee. If selected from the pool, candidates must still submit a full application for provincial nomination. This step costs $1,500.

In simple terms:

Stage	Fee
Worker Expression of Interest (profile submission)	$135
Full provincial nomination application	$1,500

Changes to the Expression of Interest System

Alberta started using the Expression of Interest system on September 30, 2024, to better manage applications across worker streams.

Earlier in 2026, the province also updated the WEOI form. From February 25, 2026, candidates with a job offer must include:

• Wage details
• Working hours

Applications missing this information will not be considered. Alberta may also use these details when selecting candidates in future draws.

High Demand for Alberta Immigration in 2026

Interest in Alberta immigration remains strong. For 2026, the federal government allocated 6,403 nomination spots to the province. As of April 1, 2026:

• 1,475 nominations already issued
• 4,928 spots still available
• 1,418 applications are under processing
• Over 44,000 profiles are currently in the pool

This shows how competitive provincial nominations have become.

Sectors Likely to Get Priority

Alberta continues to focus on workers who can help fill labour shortages. Priority sectors include:

• Health care
• Technology
• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Aviation
• Agriculture
• Rural community roles under the Rural Renewal Stream

Candidates working in these fields may have better chances of receiving an invitation.

Why Alberta Introduced the New Fee

Provincial immigration programs across Canada are facing high demand. Charging a small fee for profile submissions helps manage large volumes of applications.

It also allows provinces to focus on candidates who are serious about applying and who meet labour market needs.

For skilled workers considering Canada, the change does not significantly increase costs, but it adds one more step to plan for in the immigration process.

Final Thought

The new $135 fee is a small adjustment, but it shows how competitive Canadian immigration has become. Planning carefully and submitting a strong profile is now more important than ever for workers targeting Alberta.