MOVING TO ALBERTA? HERE ARE THE FIRST STEPS TO TAKE WHEN YOU ARRIVE

MOVING TO ALBERTA? HERE ARE THE FIRST STEPS TO TAKE WHEN YOU ARRIVE
Alberta is nestled between the famed Canadian Rocky Mountains and has miles of coniferous, lush green forests. If you are moving to Alberta, rest assured—you are in for a treat. There is no shortage of picturesque landscapes here with the Rockies inviting the residents to have a good time along its mountain bike trails and hikes. Sitting by the Rockies, the Moraine Lake is a thing of beauty during winters when it freezes with the Rockies decorated with a layer of snow in the backdrop. Alberta’s weather is mostly pleasant and has the highest number of sunny days of any province with 312 sunny days a year. However, the temperatures during the winter can drop to as low as -30°C to -40°C. So whether you’re moving to Alberta from another country or if you’re moving to Alberta from another province, here are the first steps you should take upon your arrival.Change your address
You should begin your address changing process at least 2 weeks before your move to Alberta. No doing so can bring on complications regarding your mail and your service providers. To facilitate this process, use the complete checklist for changes of address in Alberta.Get your Alberta ID Card
Eligibility
Getting an ID Card should be at the top of your Moving to Alberta checklist. An individual legally permitted to live in Canada, can make an application for an ID Card. The card is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. To be eligible to apply, you must be:- 12 years or older—all applicants below 18 years will require their parent’s or guardian’s consent; or
- A non-resident student who is a resident of another jurisdiction, but is currently pursuing full-time education at an Alberta accredited institution.
Application
Visit an authorized registry agent to obtain an ID Card. If you are unable to visit a registry agent, you can apply for your ID Card by filling out an ID Card Application.Find a Job in Alberta
Where and how to find a job in Alberta?
These websites will help you find listings for Alberta jobs:- Government of Alberta website
- Alberta Job Centre
- Job search website such as Monster, Indeed, Linkedin
Register for Alberta’s Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)
Any Canadian citizen or permanent resident can access the province’s public and free healthcare system. It is considered one of the best healthcare systems in all of Canada. If you’re coming from another country and are not a Permanent Resident or Canadian Citizen, it is highly recommended to purchase private health insurance upon your arrival.Alberta Health Care if moving from within Canada
If you are moving from another province in Canada and intend to live here for 12 months or more, you must apply for AHCIP within 3 months of obtaining your Alberta residency. In the meantime, you may continue to use the health card issued by your previous province for availing insured health benefits.Alberta Health Care if moving from outside Canada
Immigrants and other individuals returning or moving to Alberta from another country may become eligible for AHCIP coverage from the date they establish residency in Alberta. You are required to apply for AHCIP within 3 months along with the prescribed documents within 3 months of establishing your residency in Alberta.Alberta Health Care if moving to Alberta for work temporarily
Individuals coming to work temporarily can apply for AHCIP provided they intend to stay for 12 or more consecutive months and have the necessary Canada entry documents, like:- An active work contract (6 months or more)
- Visitor permit or study permit
- Documentation for individual’s designation as a Convention Refugee