The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has announced an increase in application fees for its worker immigration streams. The new fees come into effect starting April 1, 2025.
In a significant move to adjust its immigration system, Alberta has increased the application fees for its worker immigration streams under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). Starting April 1, 2025, applicants will be required to pay a new fee of $1,500, up from the previous fee of $840.
Changes to Worker Stream Fees
This fee increase impacts only the AAIP’s worker streams, which include:
- Alberta Opportunity Stream
- Alberta Express Entry Stream (including associated pathways)
- Rural Renewal Stream
- Tourism and Hospitality Stream
Applicants submitting their applications or requests on or after April 1, 2025, will be required to pay the revised fees. It is important to note that applications submitted prior to this date will not be affected by the fee hike.
Additional Fee Changes
Alongside the fee changes for the worker streams, two other adjustments have been made under the AAIP:
- Farm Stream Fee Increase: The fee for the Farm Stream, which is aimed at experienced farmers seeking to establish or purchase a farm in Alberta, has seen a substantial increase. The provincial nomination application fee for this stream has risen from $500 to $3,500.
- Nomination Certificate Reissuance Fee: There has been a slight increase in the fee for requesting the reissuance of an expired nomination certificate, which now stands at $150, up from $100.
These revised fees apply only to applications and requests made after April 1, 2025.
Other Updates on Alberta’s Immigration Policies
In addition to the fee changes, Alberta has made several other updates that could impact potential immigrants:
- Work Permit Facilitation Policy: On March 17, 2025, Alberta announced its decision to opt out of the federal government’s temporary public policy to facilitate open work permits for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates in 2025. Initially, Alberta was among the provinces that opted to participate in this policy but has since retracted its involvement.
- Family Connection and Occupation in Demand Pathway: Alberta has also made changes to its Family Connection and Occupation in Demand Pathway. As of March 17, 2025, Alberta will no longer invite candidates through this stream, though applicants can still claim points for having a valid familial connection in Alberta.
- New Language Proficiency Test Option: Effective April 1, 2025, the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Core is now accepted as a valid language proficiency test for all AAIP streams. This provides candidates with more options for proving their language skills, alongside other accepted tests such as IELTS and CELPIP.
Impact of Federal Allocations Reduction
The federal government’s decision to cut the overall immigrant landings under provincial immigration by 50% for 2025 has had a direct effect on Alberta’s AAIP. The province’s nomination allocation for 2025 has been reduced to 4,875 spots, down from 9,750 in 2024. This reduction may limit the number of applicants who can be nominated for permanent residence under Alberta’s immigration programs this year.
Quick Recap:
- Alberta has raised application fees for its worker immigration streams to $1,500, effective April 1, 2025.
- The new fees apply to the Alberta Opportunity Stream, Alberta Express Entry Stream, Rural Renewal Stream, and Tourism and Hospitality Stream.
- The Farm Stream application fee has been increased from $500 to $3,500.
- Alberta will no longer invite candidates through the Family Connection and Occupation in Demand Pathway.
- Alberta is now accepting the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Core for all AAIP streams.
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