Alberta is one of Canada's ten provinces located in the western part of the country. It is bordered by British Columbia to the west and Saskatchewan to the east, with the Northwest Territories to the north and the US state of Montana to the south. Alberta has a population of just over 4 million people and is one of Canada's most populous provinces. Its capital, Edmonton, is the northernmost city in Canada with a population of over 1 million people.

ALBERTA PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAMS

The Alberta Provincial Nominee Program offers candidates who desire to live in the province as permanent residents three streams to submit their application:

1. The Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS).

2. The Alberta Express Entry Stream.

3. The Self-Employed Farmer Stream.

Let's take a look at this province and the multiple benefits it offers.

WHERE IS ALBERTA LOCATED?

The province of Alberta is located in the western sector of the country. To the north, Alberta borders with the Northwest Territories, to the south it borders with Montana, to the east with Saskatchewan, and British Columbia lies in the west.

When exploring immigration destinations to Canada, Alberta cannot be overlooked. The province has been often compared to Texas, because of its equivalent size, the richness of its natural resources, its strong oil and agricultural industry, and the Cowboy lifestyle; and even though these likenesses exist, there is so much more than Alberta has to offer.

WHAT IS ALBERTA KNOWN FOR?

The province has five national parks and 76 provincial parks.
Alberta took its name from the Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria.
The phrase “Trick or Treat” was created in Alberta.
More than 80% of the residents do some kind of volunteer work.

THE MOST IMPORTANT CITIES OF ALBERTA

Edmonton is the capital and second-largest city of Alberta, with over a million residents. Located in the center of the province, alongside the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton is the core of the Metropolitan Region.

Known as the "Gateway to the North," Edmonton serves as a hub of operations for the oil, petrochemical, and gas industries, as well as subindustries like finance, transportation, manufacturing, tourism, and technology, among others. Also, Edmonton serves as the center of operations for all the provincial government and public administration activities.

The city is a culturally diverse melting pot of nationalities, ethnicities, from immigrants from Northern and Eastern Europe, Asians, Vietnamese and other groups. This multiculturalism has created a metropolis where several religions, foods, cultures, and traditions cohabit and thrive.

Speaking of culture, Edmonton is known for the variety of its artistic offers, from natural history museums to arts, music, and nightlife centers. Often referred to as "Canada's Festival City," Edmonton is home to a myriad of music, sports, theater and culinary festivals, which are held throughout the year.

Located in the south, just 300 kilometers from Edmonton, rests Calgary, Alberta’s largest city, with a population of 1,285,711.

The city is the administrative headquarter of the oil industry, as well as many other service businesses such as transportation, insurance, banking, and finance. Calgary is also home to the film and television industries.

For the past two years, Calgary has been named the most livable city in North America.

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Livability Index, the city got an overall score of 97.5 out of 100, achieving perfect numbers in the following categories: stability, healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Calgary flaunts a strong transportation system, including buses, light urban rail systems, as well as bike and walking pathways. Its proximity to the Rocky Mountains makes Calgary the perfect destination to practice winter sports.

The city has also a vibrant cultural and artistic agenda, including film, theater, and music festivals. But no event in Calgary matches the clout, fame, and prestige of the Calgary Stampede, a worldwide renowned 10-day festival held every July, which includes rodeo events, music concerts, parades, and many other activities. An unforgettable experience that puts Calgary in the top of mind of many tourists and local citizens alike.

EMPLOYMENT IN ALBERTA

The economy of the province of Alberta is characterized by having the largest oil reserve in the country, as well as important reserves of natural gas and coal, Alberta is the largest producer of energy and oil in Canada. These industries create the majority of employment opportunities in the province.

Alberta's agricultural industry has also a great impact on the creation of jobs and growth of the province's Gross Domestic Product. The province has more than 700,000 farmers and over 21 million hectares of the agricultural land base.

WHAT DOES ALBERTA’S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM COVER?

Alberta's health care system is funded by the Canadian federal government, through a system called Alberta Health Services, which provides services and health care to all residents.

The province has the best public spending on health in the country per capita, with over 45% of all government resources invested in the health system, equivalent to approximately $60 million per day

EDUCATION IN ALBERTA

Like other provinces in Canada, education in Alberta is public and its funding is the responsibility of the provincial government and the local public school boards.

The funds to finance post-secondary education come partially from provincial funds and tuition fees and other sources. The province's three main universities, the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge, are public institutions offering top-rated undergraduate and graduate programs.

THE ECONOMY IN ALBERTA

WORK IN ALBERTA

Alberta wages are among the highest in Canada. Salaries in Alberta vary depending on the employer, hours worked, and educational qualifications, as well as the required experience and responsibilities of the position. There are a number of organizations and resources that can help you find work and build your career in Alberta, among these ones you can look for:

Alberta Supports Centres provide employment programs and services across Alberta. This includes job fairs, workshops, information sessions, and labor market information.
Alis is an online resource with advice on finding jobs, drafting your resume and preparing for an interview, and negotiating your salary.
Immigrant-serving agencies offer services to newcomers, including help with finding a job
Work Search Basics can give you the knowledge and resources to find work in Alberta.
The Government of Canada’s Job Bank has a list of current job opportunities in Alberta—new jobs are advertised every day.

To look for a job in Alberta, try also to Network and talk to people, this will help you to also know the culture and to know people that can introduce you to their workplace.

TOURISM IN ALBERTA

From the Rocky Mountains to glaciers, deserts, prairies, and crystal-clear lakes, Alberta offers a variety of landscapes and environments that will take the breath away from even the most skeptical.

Alberta has four national parks, but Banff is the most iconic of the lot. It was the first national park established in Canada, and today is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within Banff Park, the activities and recreational options are both diverse and unlimited, including horseback riding, a ski and snowboard resort for winter sports enthusiasts, sledding, yoga festivals, and one of the nation's most famous races, the Melissa's Road Race.

For dinosaur lovers, Southern Alberta has an offering of exciting activities. This region is home to the Dinosaur Provincial Park, the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, and the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. At Drumheller, people can see a replica of the largest dinosaur in the world.

To the north, unforgettable skies are brightened by the Northern Lights at the Wood Buffalo National Park. From the most enjoyable summers practicing golf or fishing to the winters skating, riding snowmobiles, or ice fishing, there are activities for all tastes and ages.

15 Best Places In Alberta To Visit In 2023

1. Banff National Park

2. Jasper National Park

3. Lake Louise

4. Drumheller

5. Waterton Lakes National Park

6. Kananaskis Country

7. Calgary

8. Edmonton

9. Canmore

10. Lethbridge

11. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump

12. Badlands

13. Elk Island National Park

14. Wood Buffalo National Park

15. Riding Mountain National Park

Why live in Alberta?

Alberta is made up of a diverse set of cultures and communities that are home to many world-class services.

Their communities are part of what makes Alberta such a great place to live. Alberta has small, rural towns and major cities, such as Calgary and Edmonton, with populations of 1.3 million and 1 million respectively. Each has its own unique character and many opportunities for work.

While Alberta is Canada’s fourth-most populous province, it’s also the fourth largest, which means it’s never hard to escape into nature.

Affordability in alberta

Families in Alberta typically enjoy a higher family income than other parts of Canada.

Alberta also offers many cost-of-living advantages, such as:

• universal health care

• tax relief and rebates to help you save on energy costs

• lowest taxes in Canada • more affordable housing options

• affordable child care Health Alberta’s world-class health care system gives people access to hospitals, clinics, a variety of social support services and qualified physicians and health care workers.

Education in Alberta

Kindergarten to Grade 12

Alberta has an excellent and inclusive education system, with many options based on language or religion. Schooling is free from kindergarten to Grade 12 and is required from ages 6 to 16. Catholic and Francophone options are also available.

Post-secondary education

With 26 universities and colleges, Alberta has many post-secondary options. Alberta government subsidizes tuition fees, and the cost varies across the province. There are also various loans, grants, bursaries, scholarships, awards and other educational funding to help you pay for your education. When you arrive in Alberta to begin your studies, your Alberta higher education institution will be there to help you settle into your new student community. Many places in Alberta offer English language training, including colleges and universities, immigrant-serving agencies, private businesses and religious and community organizations.

Are you looking to immigrate to Alberta? Global Opportunities can help you with your immigration process, our team with more than 10 years of experience helping professionals to immigrate to Canada will help you to understand the programs available in Canada to apply for them and immigrate to Canada.

Live permanently in Alberta

Discover provincial and federal immigration programs that will allow you to live in alberta, canada.

There are a variety of immigration programs and paths you can take to move to Alberta.

Once you become a permanent resident or Canadian citizen you can move freely within Canada. There are federal (Government of Canada) immigration programs and provincial programs (Government of Alberta).

In Alberta, the provincial program is called the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). If you are looking to know more about it or you are looking to immigrate to Canada Global Opportunities can help you.

Provincial nominee program – Alberta Advantage Immigration Program

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program is an economic immigration program that nominates people who can help meet the province’s needs for workers and entrepreneurs. If you think you can apply to this program, let us help you.

Things to think about before applying to any program

Before applying to an immigration stream, find your National Occupational Classification (NOC) code to determine your provincial or federal immigration eligibility. The NOC system, developed by the Government of Canada, classifies every job in Canada, this will help you when you are looking into applying to any program, Global Opportunities can help you to understand this and guide you through the process.

10 Amazing Places to Visit in Alberta, Canada

1. Banff National Park - This is Canada's oldest and most visited national park, located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Here you will find turquoise glacial lakes, snow-capped mountains, and the rugged beauty of the Canadian wilderness.

2. Jasper National Park - This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its pristine mountain landscapes, abundant wildlife and crystal-clear lakes.

3. Lake Louise - This is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, with its turquoise waters, snow-capped peaks and glaciers.

4. Waterton Lakes National Park - This park is located in the southwestern corner of Alberta and is home to wildflower-filled meadows, spectacular hiking trails, and stunning mountain views.

5. Drumheller - This is the dinosaur capital of the world and is home to some of the most impressive dinosaur fossils in the world.

6. Calgary - This is one of Canada’s largest cities and is known for its vibrant culture, skyscrapers and year-round festivals.

7. Edmonton - This is the capital of Alberta, and is home to the world’s largest mall, West Edmonton Mall, along with a number of cultural attractions.

8. The Canadian Badlands - This is a region of badlands, hoodoos and coulees, featuring some of the most interesting geological formations in the world.

9. Wood Buffalo National Park - This is the largest national park in Canada, and is home to the largest herd of free-roaming bison in the world.

10. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump - This is an ancient buffalo jump that was used by the Blackfoot people for thousands of years. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Questions about Alberta

What is the average cost of a house in Alberta?

The average cost of a house in Alberta is currently around $399,735 according to the Canadian Real Estate Association.

Is Alberta Canada a good place to live?

Yes, Alberta is a great place to live. With its beautiful landscapes, friendly people, and vibrant cities, Alberta is the perfect place for anyone looking for an enjoyable and active lifestyle. Alberta offers a wide range of activities, from skiing, mountain biking, and camping in the Rocky Mountains, to exploring the cities of Calgary and Edmonton. The province also boasts some of Canada's best healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. Remember that the provinces in Canada are all of them a really good place to live, Canada is really good place to live in.

Is living in Alberta cheap?

Living in Alberta can be quite affordable, depending on where you live and your lifestyle. Alberta has a lower cost of living compared to other provinces, with cheaper housing costs and lower taxes. However, the costs of living can vary greatly depending on if you live in a city or rural area, and the city you live in.

Which province is cheaper to live in in Canada?

The cost of living varies from province to province in Canada. Generally, the western provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan are the most affordable places to live, followed by the Atlantic provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Manitoba and Ontario are typically more expensive places to live, but all of this will depend on many factors.

What is unique about Alberta?

Alberta is the only Canadian province with no natural borders. It is also the only province without a saltwater coast. It is home to the world's largest dark sky preserve, the Wood Buffalo National Park, and has the world's first commercial oil sands operation. Alberta is also home to world-famous rodeos, the Calgary Stampede and the Edmonton Klondike Days. Alberta is unique in that it has the highest concentration of oil and natural gas reserves in Canada, yet it is also known for its stunning landscapes and outdoor activities.

What is the #1 tourist attraction in Alberta?

The #1 tourist attraction in Alberta is Banff National Park. Located in the Rocky Mountains, it is one of Canada's oldest and most visited national parks. It is renowned for its stunning scenery and abundant wildlife, including elk, grizzly bears, and bighorn sheep. The park also features hot springs, glaciers, and dozens of hiking trails.

Why do people visit Alberta?

Hike the Rockies, roam the prairie grasslands, discover dinosaurs at the world-famous Canadian Badlands, or take in the spirited city life of Edmonton and Calgary, renowned for their hospitality, special events, and festivals.