How to Immigrate to Alberta, Canada

Do you want to immigrate to Alberta, Canada? We'll make the journey and Canadian visa application easy for you. First, we must determine which program you will most likely succeed with. Then, you will find the best routes to realize your dream below.

Best Ways to Immigrate to Alberta, Canada

Due to the many types of immigration and applicants, Alberta has numerous immigration programs. Here are some of the most popular.

Express Entry

As the name implies, Alberta's Express Entry is linked to the Federal Express Entry system. Therefore, to qualify for this stream, you must meet the requirements of one of the three Federal Economic Immigration programs mentioned above and have a completed online Express Entry profile entered into the pool of candidates.

You must work in an occupation supporting the province's economic development and diversification. You must show your intention to move to Alberta and settle there permanently.

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

The FSWP is for those with one year of professional work experience in management, professional, or trade positions and have exceptional English or French language abilities. Secondary education is required; you can receive additional points for post-secondary education.

Federal Skilled Trades Worker Program (FSTP)

The FSTP is for those with two years of professional trade experience in a technical or trade position, a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, and a certificate of qualification in a skilled trade. Proficiency in English or French language is required.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

The CEC is for those with experience in a management, professional, or trade position in Canada for one year in the last three years.

This system managed the pool of candidates for the Federal Economic Immigration programs and was introduced to get skilled foreign nationals into the country faster. So naturally, it has become one of the most popular ways to immigrate to Canada.

To use this pathway to get to Alberta, you must meet the requirements of one of the programs mentioned above and create an online Express Entry profile scored according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Profiles with the highest scores get invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence through regular Express Entry draws. If you successfully use this system, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will process your application in six months.

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) offers various routes to Canadian permanent residence. The Provincial Nominee Program allows 11 out of Canada's 13 provinces and territories to invite foreign nationals with the skills and experience needed in the province. The program offers several streams tailored to meet specific needs and qualifications.

Alberta Opportunity Stream

The Alberta Opportunity Stream requires candidates to possess valid temporary resident status and to work in an eligible occupation. You can find eligible occupations in the National Occupational Classification TEER levels 0-5. Other personal requirements include

Scoring 4+ in either French or English on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB).
Completing high school.
Having relevant work experience for several months.

Farmer Stream

The Farmer Stream is tailored for investing or starting a farming business in Alberta. With it being Canada's second biggest agricultural producer, many opportunities are up for grabs. To qualify, applicants must:

Demonstrate farm management abilities
Invest a minimum of CAD 500,000
Provide a comprehensive business plan with investment details.

Alberta Express Entry Stream

The Alberta Express Entry Stream is designed to attract and nominate skilled foreign nationals already in the Express Entry pool. Candidates must have the following:

A valid Express Entry profile,
The required education,
Work experience,
Language skills, and
A valid job offer in Alberta.

This stream is ideal for highly educated professionals already working in Alberta.

Alberta Express Entry Accelerated Tech Stream

This stream is a variation of the Express Entry Stream, designed to help employers in the technology sector fill critical positions. Candidates must have

A valid Express Entry profile,
The required education,
Work experience,
language skills,
a valid job offer in Alberta.

Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

The Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (GES) allows post-graduate foreigners with at least six months of business experience to either start or acquire an existing business in Alberta.

The GES is designed to help these foreign entrepreneurs start a business in Alberta that will create jobs and contribute to the province's economic development.

Applicants must demonstrate

Their business experience,
How their proposed business will benefit Alberta's economy, and
Their ability to support their business financially.

Once approved, applicants can apply for a two-year work permit to start their business in Alberta.

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is an immigration program designed to help international students who have graduated from a post-secondary institution in Alberta to become permanent residents of Canada.

To be eligible for the program, candidates must have

A valid post-secondary degree or diploma from an eligible institution in Alberta,
Lived in Alberta for at least two years while studying,
The required experience to open a business in Alberta, and
The financial resources to operate their business successfully.

The program is open to graduates from all fields of study, and In addition, these approved can receive a provincial nomination for permanent residency.

The Rural Renewal Stream

The Rural Renewal Stream is an excellent option for those moving to the province. It is designed to provide a steady stream of economic growth in rural areas of the province by providing support to businesses looking to expand and create employment opportunities.

The stream helps local businesses grow while attracting new businesses to rural Alberta. The stream also provides access to training and development programs to help individuals gain the skills they need to succeed in the province.

The Rural Entrepreneur Stream

The Rural Entrepreneur Stream is an immigration stream that offers permanent residence to entrepreneurs who want to start and operate a business in rural Alberta. This stream is designed to help create jobs, attract investment and stimulate business development in rural Alberta.

The Rural Entrepreneur Stream is open to individuals with a minimum net worth of CAD 500,000 and a business plan approved by Alberta authorities.

The plan must:

Include a minimum investment of CAD 200,000 in a rural Alberta business,
Create at least one job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and
Show that the applicant has the required experience to operate the business.

The applicant must also commit to settling in Alberta and actively participate in business management.

Knowing your options, you must determine if you qualify.

Once you sign up for our services, we will take you through our comprehensive online evaluation system to determine all Canadian immigration programs you are eligible for, including your options to Alberta. Once you have answered our questions, our team of expert Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) will compile a report recommending your best options for Canada.

After you decide, they will apply for you and represent you on your application, ensuring that your documentation is correct, complete, and delivered on time. Improve your application with our help! Make your journey to Canada easy.

Why Immigrate to Alberta?

With so many immigration programs, it's clear that many people want to immigrate to Alberta, Canada. But what makes people choose Alberta over everywhere else?

Straightforward Immigration

Alberta is fast becoming one of the most popular destinations for newcomers in Canada. This is primarily thanks to the province's simple Canadian immigration application system, which welcomed 104,286 newcomers in the first three quarters of 2022.

High Standard of Living

Living in Alberta will afford you an exceptionally high quality of life because the province offers higher-paying jobs and lower taxes. With a lower cost of living, housing prices in Alberta are lower than in other provinces.

Work Opportunities

There are many work opportunities for immigrants in Alberta; as mentioned before, they pay more. According to Sandeep Agrawal, an urban planning professor at the University of Alberta, immigrants living in the province's two big cities, Edmonton and Calgary, tend to outperform those residing elsewhere in Canada economically.

Here's a breakdown of Alberta's most in-demand occupations.

Clean, Safe Cities

Though there are large cities in Alberta, they are significantly cleaner and more livable than elsewhere. One of the cities, Calgary, actually claimed the title of the world's cleanest city in 2007 and 2014 according to several publications. Thanks to its blend of big cities and smaller, more rural communities, the province has a multicultural society celebrated for its diversity and differences.

The Best Weather in Canada

Alberta also has some of the best weather in Canada. If you think the Canadian climate is all snow and rain, think again! Alberta is sunnier than most in Canada. Calgary and Edmonton have sunny weather more than 50% of the days throughout the year.

No Shortage of Adventures

Because of this terrific weather, Alberta is perfect for exciting outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, cycling, and strolling - you name it! The famous Banff National Park is located here. The Canadian Rockies cut through the province for the perfect mountain climbing experience.

FAQs

What are the Minimum Requirements for Applying for a Canadian Visa to Immigrate to Alberta?

To apply for a Canadian visa to immigrate to Alberta, applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the AAIP, the Alberta Express Entry Stream, and the FSWP. These requirements include having sufficient work experience, language proficiency, and education.

Are There Any Specific Job Requirements for Immigrating to Alberta?

There are specific job requirements for immigrating to Alberta. For example, the Alberta Opportunity Stream and the Alberta Express Entry Stream require applicants to have work experience in an eligible occupation.

The AAIP requires a valid full-time job offer or employment contract from an Alberta employer to work in an eligible occupation in a designated community. Applicants must also meet the work experience requirements of the AAIP, which include the following:

Working a minimum of 30 hours per week and
working in the same occupation as their current occupation.

To find jobs in Alberta, foreigners can apply online and get a job offer from an employer. To simplify the process, here is a guide on applying for jobs in Canada.

Is There an Upper Age Limit for Those Seeking to Immigrate to Alberta?

There is no specific age limit requirement for any Canadian immigration program, including the AAIP.

The Alberta Opportunity Stream requires dependent children to be under 22 and unmarried. The search results do not provide information on whether there are any upper age limits for those seeking to immigrate to Alberta.

Immigrate to Alberta With Our Help

With so many fantastic opportunities waiting for you in Alberta, it's no wonder you would want to start in Canada's sunniest province as soon as possible. One of the best ways to do this is to utilize the services of a certified immigration expert like an RCIC.

An RCIC can fill out your application forms, create your online profiles, provide you with courses and programs to help improve your eligibility, represent you with certain immigration authorities and provide you with the help and support you need throughout every step of your journey.