Studying Abroad – Settling in the Province of Albert

Alberta is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. English is the official language and the mother tongue of most Albertans. In Canada, Alberta is the sixth-largest province, covering approximately 660,000 square kilometers, and the fourth-most populous with a population of 4,067,175 people. The capital of Alberta is Edmonton, and the largest city is Calgary.

In Alberta, the oil and gas industry is considered an important part of the province’s cultural identity. Alberta’s economy relies on hydrocarbons, oil refining, livestock, agriculture, and border technology. Vast oil supplies were discovered in 1947, and Alberta has prospered since then.

Alberta is renowned for its natural beauty, fossil richness, and important natural conservation areas. Alberta is home to six UNESCO-recognized world heritage sites: The Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, Dinosaur Provincial Park, the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Waterton–Glacier International Peace Park, Wood Buffalo National Park, and Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park. Other notable destinations include Banff, Canmore, Drumheller, Jasper, Sylvan Lake, and Lake Louise.

With its economic development and natural landscape, Alberta has become a popular destination for international students to study abroad.

Students enrolled in designated educational institutions in Alberta can participate in the Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) under the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) upon graduation. This stream is for candidates working full-time in an eligible occupation at an Alberta-based enterprise. Applicants must also meet other minimum criteria regarding residency status, types of work permits, occupations, language proficiency, education, job offers in Alberta, and work experience.

Some basic conditions include having a valid work permit, graduating from a public post-secondary institution in Alberta with the required credentials, possessing a post-graduate certificate (minimum study duration of 1 year), a college diploma (minimum study duration of 2 years), a bachelor’s degree, or other post-undergraduate qualifications.

Applicants must also have a valid full-time job offer falling under NOC 0, A, B, C, or D, not included in the list of excluded occupations. The job must be related to the applicant’s field of study in Alberta. If completing a one-year post-graduate or post-baccalaureate program in Alberta, the field of study must relate to the applicant’s previous field of study outside of Canada.

Language proficiency requirements are CLB 4 or above for NOC C, D positions, and CLB 5 or above for NOC 0, A, B positions.