Foreign citizens interested in immigration to Canada can apply for various types of visas, however, what is even more appealing is that they can choose a province or territory to establish themselves in. One of these provinces is Alberta which offers numerous business and employment opportunities in accordance with the status of the immigrant.
Alberta immigration is possible through one of the national schemes or one of the dedicated programs which enable a foreign citizen to choose to apply for a residence permit in this province. Below, our immigration lawyer in Canada presents the main options and reasons for foreign citizens to relocate to Alberta.
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Alberta immigration options
A foreign citizen who wants to immigrate to Canada and is interested in moving directly to Alberta has several options or better said programs under which he or she can apply for a visa, thus increasing the chances of a successful relocation. These programs are:
- the Canada Express Entry scheme which is the fastest immigration way to Alberta;
- the Business Immigration and Family Sponsorship Schemes which are also available at a national level;
- the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) which is available for permanent residence seekers;
- the Alberta Express Entry Stream which is mainly dedicated to refugees.
Among these, the first 3 programs are the most sought for Alberta immigration and if you need detailed information on any of them, our immigration lawyers in Canada can offer it.
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program
One of the best ways to immigrate to Alberta is through the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) which is dedicated to skilled immigrants who can comply with the employment needs of the local labor market. There are three ways to move to Alberta through this program: the first one is the Express Entry system, the second one is the Self-Employed Farmer system, and the third one is the Opportunity Stream.
Foreign citizens interested in Alberta immigration through these programs must complete a two-stage procedure:
- the application for nomination;
- the application for permanent residence once accepted.
The first stage of the program is completed at a provincial level with the Government of Alberta, while the second one will be completed at a federal one.
Our immigration lawyer in Canada can support foreign citizens who want to move to Alberta under this program.
Alberta immigration through the Opportunity Stream
Foreign citizens who want to migrate to Canada on a temporary basis before deciding if they want to live here permanently have the chance to apply for the Alberta Opportunity Stream. The program was designed for temporary workers who must meet certain criteria among which:
- they must speak English or French (language assessment tests must be completed);
- they must have the necessary studies or experience in order to occupy the positions they apply for.
This program is a rather new one, as it was enabled in June 2018 and its main advantage is that most of the jobs on the National Occupation Classification (NOC) list are available under it. If you have any questions about the NOC, our lawyers can provide all the needed information.
Why immigrate to Alberta under the Self-Employed Farmer system
Foreign citizens interested in Alberta immigration under the Self-Employed Farmer Stream must have managerial experience in the farming field and can fill in the labor requirements on the local market.
This program is one of the fastest routes to permanent residence in Canada, so if you are interested in moving to Alberta this way, our lawyers can help you.
How to immigrate to Alberta as an entrepreneur
Foreign citizens interested in moving to Canada must know that the province of Alberta offers opportunities for those who want to study and work here, but also for those who want to set up their own companies.
Entrepreneurs have various choices in terms of the businesses they can create when it comes to prolific industries. Moreover, the Government of Alberta has implemented a few schemes under which business persons can relocate here. These are:
- the International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream;
- the Foreign Graduate Start-up Visa Stream.
Each program has its own requirements and imposes specific eligibility criteria. However, they target people who can contribute to the local economy.
If you want to move to Alberta, our immigration lawyer in Canada is at your service with tailored services.
Business immigration to Alberta
Foreign entrepreneurs who want to have their own businesses can choose Canada for the many opportunities it offers. Alberta is one of the most developed regions of the country when it comes to a booming economy.
Moving to Alberta by starting a business is not complicated as the procedure can begin before entering Canada and by the time the immigration procedure is completed, the foreign national can prove the strong ties he or she has with this country. Even if this is not a requirement (for a foreign citizen to prove the connections with Canada), it will be easier for one to settle here when already having a stable income.
One of the most recent programs that enable foreign citizens to migrate to Canada, including Alberta is the Start-up Visa Scheme. Apart from the eligibility criteria which are mandatory for all immigrants, there are other important aspects to consider when it comes to the business to be created. These are:
- to set up a business that qualifies for the program;
- to obtain a letter of support from a business angel or organization;
- have a good knowledge of English or French;
- have the financial means to live in Alberta before starting to earn money from the business venture.
The main requirement to open a company under the Start-up Visa implies to participate with at least 10% in the capital of the business who can be set up with other members of the family or even Canadian partner. This is one of the cheapest options for business immigration to Alberta.
Our immigration lawyer in Canada is at your service with detailed information on the programs available for businesspersons who want to move to Alberta.
Family reunification options Alberta immigration
One of the easiest ways of immigrating to Canada is through family reunification. People from all over the world who are lucky to have family members who are established in Canada can support their relatives to move here with them. However, it is worth noting that this applies to close family members only. Spouses, children, and parents can move to Alberta if they can be sponsored by their relatives.
Among the requirements applicable to sponsors is for them to be at least 18 years old and be citizens or permanent residents of Canada.
Immigration to Alberta, Canada through family sponsorship is not complicated and our specialists are at the service of those who want to apply on behalf of their relatives who want to move here.
The Alberta International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream
The International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream (IGEIS) is available for all foreign citizens interested in moving to Alberta by starting a business and obtaining permanent residency here. The main requirement under this program is for the applicants to have graduated post-secondary studies.
An interesting fact about this program is that clearly defines the term entrepreneur in order for all those seeking to immigrate to Alberta to know from the start the requirements of the scheme. According to the elaborators of the IGEIS, an entrepreneur is an innovator who starts a Canadian business with the purpose of making profits. He or she can come with ideas, sell goods or services based on which an income is generated.
The IGEIS program is very important as numerous foreign citizens have already moved here and created jobs within local communities, and thus helping cities and towns thrive from an economic point of view.
In order to move to Alberta under the International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream, the following eligibility criteria must be met:
- the applicant must have at least 2 years of education from a public education facility in Alberta;
- the applicant must also be eligible for a work permit under a post-graduation program;
- at the time of the application, the work permit must have a minimum validity of 2 years;
- specific language requirements must be met (level 7 English or French command under the Canadian Language Benchmark);
- have at least 6 months of work experience in a full-time position.
With respect to the business to create, the foreign entrepreneur must contribute at 34% of the share capital (ownership) in the company, while the other partners must be Canadian permanent residents or citizens. It should also be noted that there are a few sectors that do not qualify for opening companies.
The program addresses entrepreneurs with the ages between 21 and 49. They can also immigrate to Canada with their spouses who must also meet certain criteria, among which employment in the region of Alberta and good command of English or French (a minimum level of 5 of any of the two languages).
All the details related to the Alberta International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream can be provided by our immigration lawyers in Canada.
Why choose the Foreign Graduate Start-up Visa Stream in Alberta?
Another program created for foreign entrepreneurs is the Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream (FGSVS) which compared to the International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Program targets talented persons who have graduated outside Canada. For this purpose, these must create startups in innovative fields in Alberta.
The Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream is a combination of the Immigrant Nominee Program developed by the government and programs approved by specific agencies.
This is why a part of the scheme implies obtaining approval from certain agencies with respect to the creation of a business.
The eligibility criteria for this program imply:
- at least 6 months of employment outside Canada;
- the completion of 2 years of post-secondary studies with an institution outside Canada;
- the same language requirements as for the IGEIS;
- a business plan that must be sustained through a 10 minutes presentation;
- the entrepreneur must own at least 34% of the business.
Additional requirements imply an investment from the candidate’s spouse or another financial institution of at least 100,000 CAD if the business will operate in an urban center, or 50,000 CAD if the company will operate in a regional zone of Alberta.
If you need details on the Alberta Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream you can discuss with our Canadian lawyers.
Documents required for immigrating to Alberta
Upon preparation for Alberta immigration, an applicant is required to prepare various documents. Among these, one is required to have a valid passport (it is recommended for the minimum validity period to be of at least 6 months). Then, the language assessment test, the papers showing the educational background and experience will be necessary.
In the case of Alberta immigration through spousal visa sponsorship, additional documents are required. We also invite you to watch our video:
How to obtain Canadian citizenship by migrating to Alberta
Canada is one of the countries in which citizenship can be obtained effortlessly thanks to the large number of programs that allow foreigners to apply for permanent residency after a few years.
Permanent residency is available after 5 years of living in Canada, while citizenship can be acquired after 3 years of being a Canadian permanent residence holder. A mandatory condition to obtain the Canadian passport this quick is to prove the person has filed tax returns in Alberta during these 3 years.
Canada is one of the most welcoming countries in the world when it comes to citizenship, and if you need our support, we can guide you through the entire procedure which implies an interview and passing a language test.
What you need to know if you move to Alberta, Canada
In the past few years, Alberta has become the favorite destination of foreign citizens who migrated to Canada thanks to the Express Entry, the Alberta Opportunity, and Self-employed Farmer streams which provide for some of the quickest ways to relocate to this country.
The programs combined welcome more than 10,000 immigrants per year which is a great number of a single Canadian province.
Alberta is the perfect mix between a great lifestyle, good-paying jobs, and low taxes which is what makes it a dream destination for people all over the world. Moreover, the breathtaking landscapes make Alberta one of the most beautiful regions of the country where family life is ideal.
How can our Canada immigration law firm help you?
Canada has its own particularities when it comes to foreign citizens who move here and who must adjust to a new lifestyle. Our lawyers can support immigrants in understanding how to register with all the authorities here, the documents they need to prepare, the amount of money they will need to support themselves before they start making money here, and even how to find a suitable place to stay.
Furthermore, those who have lived here on a temporary basis can rely on our Canadian law firm to renew their residence permits so that they avoid potential problems with the immigration authorities.
Why choose Alberta for immigration
There are various reasons to choose Alberta for those seeking to move to Canada and among these, we can mention the following:
- it is one of the most affordable provinces to live in with an average annual income per person of more than 90,000 CAD (above the national average);
- rental rates are also lower compared to other provinces, generally revolving around 1,000 CAD per month per apartment;
- the persona tax rate in Alberta ranges between 10% and 13%;
- there is no Provincial Sales Tax, only the sales tax which is only 5%.
If you are interested in Alberta immigration and need assistance, please contact our Canada immigration law firm.
