Moving to Alberta from within Canada

Before you move to Alberta, you will need to gather your important documents to bring with you. These documents may be needed by employers, provincial regulators, schools, and credential assessment agencies. Having them ready will save you time and money.

• Government-issued identification for everyone in your household
• Proof of citizenship or landed immigrant status
• Work reference letters
• School/university transcripts

Communities

• Our communities are part of what makes Alberta such a great place to live. They range from small, rural towns to our 2 major cities, Calgary and Edmonton. There are many places you could live, each with its own unique character, and opportunities for work across the province.

Parks and recreation

• We are very proud of our natural resources and works hard to ensure Alberta Parks are protected, maintained and offer a wide range of recreation experiences for everyone.

Travel Alberta

• Explore Alberta's beautiful landscapes. We're home to 5 of Canada's 13 UNESCO World Heritage sites. From Indigenous culture to culinary delights, there are many things to see and do in Alberta.

Weather

• Alberta has 4 seasons. Summer daytime highs are normally 20 to 25 degrees. Winter average daytime lows range from  -5 to -15 degrees.
• We're also the sunniest province in Canada, with more than 300 sunny days a year.
• Environment Canada ranked Alberta number one for having the most comfortable weather overall in Canada.

• Alberta has high demand in a wide range of sectors, including energy, tech, finance, agriculture, healthcare, skilled trades and more.
• Get help looking for a job, drafting your resume and preparing for an interview with job search tools.
• Search thousands of job listings and sign up for alerts to find the right opportunity for you using the Alberta Job Board and the Canada Job Bank.

• On average, key professions make more in Alberta, both in yearly salaries and in hourly wages.
• Alberta offers the highest median after-tax income in Canada, $72,500, nearly $6,000 higher than the next closest province.

• Alberta is making it easier for your professional credentials to transfer and be recognized in our province. Learn how to apply to have your certification recognized.
• Certified workers in regulated occupations can work anywhere in Canada without further training, testing or assessments. Find out if your occupation is regulated in Alberta.

From condominiums and townhouses (or row houses) to single family homes (or detached houses), Alberta has many different types of housing at a wide range of prices.

Alberta has some of the lowest housing prices and rental costs among Canadian urban centres. On average, you'll spend a significantly smaller portion of your income on home ownerships costs compared to the Canadian average.

Buying a home

• You can buy a home in Alberta by contacting a realtor or through a private sale.
• A land title search is an important step in the home buying process.
• Learn more about buying a house or condo.

Renting a home

• You can rent a home by signing a rental agreement or lease with a landlord.
• Most landlords require a security deposit to cover potential damage.
• Rental prices may not include utilities - check with your landlord before signing an agreement.
• Tenants and landlords have rights and responsibilities they must follow by law.

• In Alberta, you have options when buying electricity and natural gas.
• If you need to open a new account, a company offering the regulated rate option (RRO) can set up an account for you immediately, or even backdate if required.
• A competitive company can take from 10-90 days to set up services in your name.
• Read the residential utilities, moving in section of the Utilities Consumer Advocate for more information.

• If you are an Alberta resident who can legally live in Canada and do not have a valid driver’s licence, you can apply for an ID card to use as photo identification. Learn more about how to get an ID card.
• Registry agents offer registration, information and licensing services on behalf of government. Find a registry agent near you.

• Albertans pay less in overall taxes with no PST, no payroll tax or health premium, as well as a low provincial income tax indexed for inflation that about 40% of Alberta tax filers don't pay. A couple earning $75,000 with 2 children would pay $1,500 more in B.C. and $3,900 more in Ontario.

Every year, people from across Canada and all over the world come to Alberta to live, work and build their future.

Learn more about life in Alberta

• You must exchange your current driver's licence for an Alberta driver’s licence within 90 days of moving to the province. Learn more about how to exchange a licence from outside Alberta.

• Vehicles on a public roadway in Alberta must have valid insurance and a Vehicle Registration Certificate. You must change your registration to an Alberta registration within 90 days of moving to Alberta. Learn how to register a vehicle.
• In Alberta, automobile insurance is provided through a private delivery system by private insurance companies. Learn how to get automobile insurance.

• Alberta contains a variety of effective, efficient and accessible public transportation options, including buses and trains to help you travel in and between Alberta's communities.
  • Edmonton routes, schedules, fares and passes.
  • Calgary routes, schedules, fares and passes.
  • Other communities also have local transportation options, to learn more about these, contact the municipality directly or check out their website online.
• Learn about other Alberta government supported public transportation systems and programs.

Health care coverage

• Most people living and working in Alberta get free access to medical clinics or hospitals and most medical services under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP).
• You must apply for (AHCIP) health care coverage within 3 months of arriving in Alberta if you move from another province or territory and intend to live here one year or more.

Private health insurance

• Private health insurance is recommended for health care services not covered.
• Many employers offer insurance plans or you can buy insurance from a private company.

Financial support

• If your family has low income, you may be eligible for government financial support through the Alberta Adult Health Benefit or the Alberta Child Health Benefit.

Doctor, laboratory, health clinic and hospital visits are free with your Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) card. If you do not have your card, you may be charged for a visit.

• Call Health Link 811 for free health advice from a health care professional.
• Visit a walk-in clinic, appointments are not required.
• Visit a public health office or community health centre.
• Find a family doctor accepting new patients.
• Get support for mental health and addictions.
• Find a dentist near you.

• Learn what to look for in a quality program when choosing child care in Alberta.
• Child care subsidy is available to offset the cost for eligible families of children 0 to kindergarten age earning up to $180,000 per year.
• If you have questions about finding or choosing child care, call Child Care Connect toll free at 1-844-644-5165.

Alberta has an excellent education system with many options based on language or religion, including Catholic education and Francophone options. Alberta teachers encourage leadership, create a love of learning and instill confidence and pride in their students.

• Learn about education options and how to find a school.
• Explore Alberta’s school system.

• Alberta offers a number of continued learning options, including apprenticeship and industry training and post-secondary education.
• Learn more about post-secondary institutions
• Find a post-secondary school