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Part of Moving to Alberta

Alberta is Calling: Moving Bonus

Eligible skilled tradespeople will be able to apply for a $5,000 bonus to help offset the cost of moving to Alberta.

Overview

The Alberta is Calling: Moving Bonus, is a one-time refundable tax credit of $5,000 for up to 2,000 eligible individuals in the skilled trades who move to Alberta, work in an eligible occupation and meet all other eligibility criteria.

Eligible individuals will be able to apply starting May 1, 2025.

Applications will be assessed on a first-come, first-served basis. The Moving Bonus Program will approve or deny submitted applications in the order applications are received.

Recipients will not need to pay taxes on money received through the program.

Watch the overview video

Eligibility

To qualify for the Moving Bonus, you must:

  • be 18 years or older at time of application 
  • be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  • have moved to Alberta between May 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
  • be a resident of Alberta for at least 12 consecutive months at the time of application
  • be a tax resident of Alberta on December 31, 2024 
    • You must have received your 2024 Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
  • be employed or self-employed and working in an eligible occupation
  • meet the requirements below for employed and self-employed applicants

  • Requirements for employed applicants

    An employed applicant must:

    • be working full-time, at the time of application, in at least one eligible occupation
      • Working full-time is defined as either working at least 30 hours a week or at least 130 hours a month.
    • provide proof of employment

  • Requirements for self-employed applicants

    A self-employed applicant must:

    • be self-employed in an eligible occupation and be able to provide documentation to validate sufficient business activity in Alberta
      • This includes demonstrating at least $2000 in gross revenue from performing their eligible occupation for the month prior to time of application.

How to apply

Step 1. Read the guidelines

For an overview of the Moving Bonus application, see the Documentation and Application Timeline

Step 2. Sign up for an Alberta.ca account

Sign up for a verified Alberta.ca account. You will need this to apply online.

Step 3. Gather required documents

Use the Moving Bonus Required Information Checklist to gather the necessary information and documents required for your application.

One of the documents an employed applicant may use to demonstrate proof of full-time employment is the Employment Verification Form. 

Step 4. Apply online starting May 1, 2025

A link to the online application portal will be provided here when available.

The intake period will start on May 1, 2025. During the intake period, the application portal will be open to allow eligible applicants to submit their application. 

Applications will be assessed on a first-come, first-served basis.

The portal may close to new applicants at any time without notice, such as when all program funds have been allocated. Submission of an application does not guarantee approval. 

After you apply

  • Applications will be approved or denied in the order they were received. Applicants will be notified of decision by email.
  • Approved applicants will be paid by direct deposit or cheque.
    • Payment timelines will depend on the volume of applications received.

Privacy and information use

  • Alberta.ca account

    • Your information is protected using both server authentication and data encryption, ensuring that it is safe, secure and private.
    • We only store information required to create and verify your identity. 
    • We do not collect or store any information from participating services when you access them.
    • We only provide information that participating services need and have authority to collect. 

  • Application portal

    • To prevent unauthorized access to the application portal, applicants must log in using their verified Alberta.ca account. 
    • Information collected is stored in an encrypted format to ensure it’s safeguarded.
    • Information collected is only used for the purpose of administering, monitoring and reporting on the Moving Bonus Program.

Legislation

The Moving Bonus will be administered under the authority of the Alberta Personal Income Tax Act.

Resources

Contact

Alberta.ca account

For questions or issues relating to your Alberta.ca account:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 1-844-643-2789

Moving Bonus Program information

For questions or issues applying for the Moving Bonus:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 1-833-838-9500
Email: [email protected]

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