Translation:
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) Increases Application Fees for Worker Streams to $1,500
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has raised the application fee for its worker streams to $1,500. This new fee was announced on April 1, 2025. Previously, the application fee was $840. Only individuals who submit their applications on or after April 1, 2025 will be required to pay the new fee.
Which Streams Are Affected?
Only the worker streams under the AAIP are subject to this fee increase:
Alberta Opportunity Stream
Alberta Express Entry Stream and its related pathways
Rural Renewal Stream
Tourism and Hospitality Stream
Other Fee Changes
The province of Alberta has also increased two additional fees related to its immigration program:
The Farm Stream application fee
The re-issuance fee for expired nomination certificates
Farm Stream
The application fee for the Farm Stream—designed for experienced farmers looking to buy or start a farm in Alberta—has increased from $500 to $3,500.
No other entrepreneurial streams have been affected by this fee hike.
Reissuance of Expired Nomination Certificates
The fee for reissuing an expired nomination certificate has increased from $100 to $150.
Both of these fee changes took effect on April 1, 2025, and only apply to applications submitted on or after this date.
Other Recent Changes to the AAIP
Withdrawal from Temporary Federal Public Policy for Open Work Permits
On March 17, 2025, Alberta announced that it would not participate in the temporary federal public policy aimed at facilitating open work permit issuance for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants in 2025.
Initially, Alberta was one of three provinces supporting this policy but later decided to withdraw from it.
Termination of the “Family Connection and In-Demand Occupations” Stream
On the same date, it was announced that Alberta would no longer issue invitations under the “Family Connection and In-Demand Occupations” stream.
However, applicants can still earn points for having a valid family connection in Alberta (such as a parent, sibling, or child with Canadian permanent residency or citizenship).
Acceptance of the PTE Core English Test
As of April 1, 2025, the AAIP now accepts the Pearson PTE Core test as valid proof of English language proficiency across all streams.
Applicants can now choose from the following language tests:
IELTS
CELPIP
PTE Core
TEF (for French)
TCF (for French)
Reduction in Provincial Nominee Quotas
Late last year, the federal government decided to reduce the number of immigrants through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) by 50% for the year 2025.
As a result, participating provinces and territories will be able to nominate significantly fewer immigrants for permanent residency.
In 2024, the AAIP quota was 9,750, but in 2025, it has been reduced to 4,875.