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All newcomers are welcome in Calgary

Immigrants, refugees and newcomers are welcome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Calgary is an inclusive community. Here, you can experience limitless career opportunities and a high quality of life.

Your settlement process can be stressful, but we can help with that. Calgary has many organizations that support newcomers before and after arrival.

Let us be the first to welcome you to live, work and play in Calgary. This page has some resources to get started.

Want to learn more about the people and culture here?

Meet Calgarians, your future neighbours

150 countries

Calgary has welcomed immigrants from over 150 countries in the past ten years.
165 languages

Calgary is multicultural, with over 165 languages spoken in the city.
445% growth

Calgary saw a 445 per cent increase in year-over-year population growth from net migration in 2022, welcoming 42,160 net new migrants.

Types of immigrant pathways to Canada

There are a few immigration programs or pathways you can take to immigrate to Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship is the federal department responsible for processing applications for permanent residence, temporary residence and citizenship. The Government of Canada identifies immigration as a key solution to build a strong, future-proofed economy. While immigration falls under federal (Government of Canada) jurisdiction, each province can have additional resources and programming to support newcomers.

You and your family can immigrate to Calgary and be a vital part of our economic growth.

As a first step, read an overview of immigration statuses in Canada.

Immigration statuses in Canada

As a second step, read how to immigrate to Alberta. Download the guide in one of 15 languages.

Immigrate to Alberta

Immigrate to Calgary as a skilled worker

Express entry is an option for skilled immigrants who want to settle in Canada permanently and work in our economy – where there are limitless opportunities.

There are three immigration programs managed through Express Entry. If you’re eligible for one of the programs, you can also apply through Express Entry for the Provincial Nominee Program. In Alberta, the program is called the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program. If you’re nominated, you’ll receive extra points that will help your application go quicker.

Express Entry Alberta Advantage Immigration Program

Immigrate to Calgary as a business owner or entrepreneur

If you are an entrepreneur or visionary, the Start-up Visa Program is an option if you plan to start a business and create jobs in Canada.

To be eligible for a start-up visa, you must have a qualifying business, a letter of support from a designated organization, meet the language requirements and bring enough money to settle.

Start-Up Visa Program

Immigrate through the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)

If you are a skilled refugee, the EMPP helps you immigrate to Canada through existing programs. The program combines refugee resettlement and economic migration.

Before you apply for the EMPP, you need to apply through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program - the Provincial Nominee Program.

Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)

The AAIP is the corresponding Provincial Nominee Program for newcomers interested in settling in Calgary, Alberta. Provincial Nominee Programs are designed to support and expedite eligible applications for immigration.

If you are interested in settling in Calgary, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program nominates people for permanent residence in Alberta. Nominees must have the skills to fill job shortages or be planning to buy or start a business in the province. Explore the eight immigration streams to find which is the best fit for you.

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program

Before arriving in Calgary

After you receive approval from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) to immigrate to Canada and before arriving in Calgary, there are Pre-Arrival Services to help you with next steps.

Settlement Online Pre-Arrival (SOPA) is a free Pre-Arrival service that will help identify your needs and build connections with your new community. This free service is designed to help ease your transition to life in Canada.

Access pre-arrival services

Newcomers resources

You can build the life you envision for yourself and your loved ones. There are many organizations that can support you in your move to call Calgary home. We encourage you to connect with them before and after you arrive in Calgary since they can provide you specialized advice.

Newcomers Resources (English)

You don’t have to figure it out on your own to have a bright future in Calgary.

Calgary newcomers can find answers to everything Calgary related in Gateway Connects’ comprehensive Newcomers Guide or by connecting directly with a Gateway planner.

To make your settlement process easier, Gateway is a program that unifies seven organizations that connects newcomers to services in the Calgary community. Gateway can connect you to immigrant-serving agencies, educational and faith based institutions and community organizations.

Read the Calgary Newcomers Guide

Connect with a Gateway planner for free

Ressources pour les arrivants nouveaux (Français)

Vous n'avez pas à le découvrir par vous-même pour avoir un avenir à Calgary.

Les nouveaux arrivants de Calgary peuvent trouver des réponses à tout ce qui concerne Calgary dans le guide complet des nouveaux arrivants de l’organisation, Portail, ou en se connectant directement avec un planificateur de passerelle.

Pour faciliter votre processus d'établissement, Portail est un programme qui regroupe sept organisations qui connectent les nouveaux arrivants aux services de la communauté de Calgary. Portail peut vous mettre en contact avec des agences d'aide aux immigrants, des institutions éducatives et confessionnelles et des organisations communautaires.

Explorez les ressources disponibles pour nouveaux arrivants

Connectez-vous gratuitement avec un planificateur de passerelle

Arriving in Calgary

From the moment you arrive in Calgary, we want you to be set up for success in your new home. The Immigrant Arrival Centre is a booth between the international and domestic arrival terminals of the Calgary International Airport that offers services to support and connect newcomers.

It is operated in partnership with the airport authority and Calgary Newcomers Collaborative.

After arriving in Calgary

So, you’ve arrived in Calgary - welcome to your new home!

Calgary is the perfect place to live, work and play. But before you do, you may need support settling in. We have advice on how to find schools, find a doctor and get around town.

Settle in Calgary

As you get settled, you will need to navigate services in Calgary. The CLIP Newcomer Guide provides an overview of services – children programs, education, employment, food security, health care, housing, language, law, LGBTQ2+, financial and senior services – available in Calgary.

Newcomer guide to service providers

Local tip:

Call or text 211 if you are stuck, need social assistance or are confused about where to go. For any help which is non health related , 211 is Canada's primary source of information for government and community-based, non-clinical health and social services. The free and confidential service can be accessed 24 hours a day, in more than 150 languages by phone, chat, text, and web.

Additional resources to call Calgary home

Calgary has limitless career opportunities across sectors. From aerospace and life sciences, to agriculture, energy and technology, our economy is diversifying.

You feel ‘at home’ when you feel like you belong. With vibrant communities, niche arts and culture scenes, competitive sports, ample greenspace and proximity to the Rocky Mountains, Calgary has something for everyone.

Work in Calgary Explore life in Calgary