Every year people from all over the world come to Alberta to work and live. Alberta has a high standard of living, diverse and welcoming communities, as well as stunning scenery. The quality of life is excellent and many new career opportunities, with a focus on economic growth, job creation and abundant opportunities for entrepreneurs. Alberta has an excellent education system, with many options depending on language or religion.
Most people who live and work in the province have free access to medical clinics or hospitals, and most medical services are covered by the Alberta Health Insurance Plan. Alberta has 4 distinct seasons, from hot summers to snowy winters and everything in between. Alberta enjoys the most sunny days in Canada with up to 18 hours of daylight in summer and over 312 sunny days per year. If you think Alberta could be your new home, I invite you to continue reading about the immigration programs offered in the province.
Coming Temporarily to Alberta
Visit
If you are visiting Alberta as a tourist, on business or to see family, you may need a Canada Visitor Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) issued by the Government of Canada.
Study
Alberta’s higher education system is internationally recognized for its outstanding universities, colleges, technical institutes and innovative research facilities. Post-secondary education options in Alberta offer certificate, diploma, applied degree, vocational training, and continuing education programs related to trades and technical jobs.
If you plan to study in Alberta for more than six months at a designated educational institution, you will need a Canadian study permit.
Work
- The Temporary Foreign Worker Program allows eligible citizens of other countries to apply to work in Canada temporarily for up to three years. The program covers all occupations and skill levels. In addition to getting a job offer from an employer, you may need a work permit and a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). An LMIA includes certain conditions, such as where and for whom you can work, what type of work you do, and how long you can work in Canada.
- The International Mobility Program allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers without an LMIA. There are two types of IMP work permits: closed and open. The closed work permit allows you to work for a specific employer. It is intended for those who are able to work temporarily in Canada under international trade agreements. The open work permit allows you to work for any employer for a specified period of time. It is open to international students, spouses/common-law partners, eligible foreign citizens, and youth who wish to travel and work.
Live Permanently In Alberta
Provincial Nomination Program
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program is an economic immigration program that nominates people who can help meet the province’s labor and business needs. The program has categories for people who are working or intend to work in Alberta, as well as for entrepreneurs interested in establishing a business in the province.
Federal Programs
- Express Entry is an electronic management system for applications for permanent residence, run by the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada. To access Express Entry, candidates must first complete a profile, which demonstrates how they meet the criteria for one of the federal economic immigration programs Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, or Federal Skilled Trades Program.
- The Northern and Rural Immigration Pilot Program is a community-based program that spreads the benefits of economic immigration to smaller communities by creating a path for qualified foreign workers who want to work and live in one to obtain permanent residence.
- Business Immigration Programs offer entrepreneurs and self-employed workers from other countries pathways to obtain permanent residency.
- The Family Sponsorship Program allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor relatives to become permanent residents with the ability to live, work and study in Alberta.
- The Care Providers Program is intended for caregivers providing childcare services or home support for the elderly or people with disabilities.
- The Refugee Resettlement Program is for people in need of protection who are outside of Canada and their country of origin.
- The Humanitarian and Compassion Program, if you are in Canada and would experience undue hardship if you had to return to your country of origin and were declared inadmissible to Canada, you could qualify for this program.
Alberta
Before you apply for an immigration category, find your National Occupation Classification (NOC) code to determine your federal or provincial immigration eligibility. The NOC system, developed by the Government of Canada, classifies all jobs in Canada. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about immigration to Alberta.
Remember that at Velosa Immigration we are here to make your Canadian dream come true, so we are waiting for you in a consultation to start your project of making Canada your new home and workplace!
