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Permanent Residence

Permanent Residence is another viable pathway to living and working in Alberta. A Permanent Resident (PR) is someone who has been given PR status by immigrating to Canada but is not a Canadian citizen. PRs are usually citizens of other countries, while some may be stateless persons.
An internationally trained veterinary professional can apply for Permanent Residence from their country – outside Canada or from within Canada, as long as they meet the requirements.

Applying From Outside Canada:

Internationally trained veterinary professionals have the opportunity to apply for Permanent Residence from outside Canada, even without any Canadian work experience.
See resources on the pathways available for internationally trained veterinary professionals to apply for Permanent Residence from outside Canada.

Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program

FSWP
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Alberta Advantage Immigration Program: Rural Renewal Stream

AAIP
Learn More

Applying From Within Canada:

Internationally trained veterinary professionals who are already within Canada as Temporary Residents can still apply for Permanent Residence. Having a job offer and Canadian work experience can open pathways to Permanent Residence.

The routes those who are already in Canada can explore to secure Permanent Residence include:

Express Entry

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Alberta Advantage Immigration Program: Alberta Express Entry Stream

AAIP
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Alberta Advantage Immigration Program: Alberta Opportunity Stream

AAIP
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Alberta Advantage Immigration Program: Rural Renewal Stream

AAIP
Learn More
Document Checklist

Permanent Residence Documents

View this checklist covering the necessary documents you may need to present for your Permanent Residence application.
  • completed Immigration Application form
  • copy of passport biodata
  • digital photo
  • copy of all study permits, work permits, and visitor records
  • copy of birth certificate
  • proof of French Proficiency - may be required
  • copy of Academic transcripts and Diploma or Certificate of Completion
  • For current and previous employment reference letters, please note that the letters must contain the job title, a full job description, hours worked, wage, start and end date, and employer contact information. Letters are to be addressed to “IRCC” or “to whom it may concern”.
  • Copy of Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • paystubs (3 most recent months)
  • copy of marriage certificate, if applicable
  • bank statements (4 most recent months)
  • Documents showing any ties to your country such as property ownership, vehicle insurance, rental lease agreements, etc., if applicable
  • Upfront medical exam from an approved IRCC panel physician. Find physicians approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. However, this is only if your country requires it, please verify if your country requires an upfront medical exam.
  • Police certificate clearance for each country where you have resided for more than 6 months since you turned 18, please see how to get a police certificate, if this applies to you.
  • Additional country-specific or applicant-specific documents may be required.
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Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

The Federal Skilled Worker Program is for skilled workers with work experience who want to become Permanent Residents in Canada. It is under the broader Express Entry Immigration pathway done at the Federal – this pathway is the only pathway under the Express Entry program which applicants outside Canada can utilize to move to Canada as Permanent Residents.

An internationally trained veterinary professional who has work experience in their country may be eligible to apply for Permanent Residence through this pathway.

See the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories for veterinary professionals below:

  • Veterinarians are considered Teer 1: NOC 31103
  • Veterinary technicians/technologists are considered Teer 2: NOC 32104

Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) Application Process:

  • Meet eligibility.
  • Submit Express Entry profile.
  • Receive an invitation to apply.
  • Submit Permanent Residence application.
  • Receive Permanent Residence confirmation.

To be eligible, the applicant must meet all the minimum requirements for skilled work experience, language ability and education.

Applicants who qualify can create an Express Entry profile. This is a way of showing interest in moving to Canada. The applicant will then be added to a pool with other applicants and given a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score. Immigration, Refugees and Immigration Canada (IRCC) will assess their application based on additional selection factors.

Eligible candidates will be invited to apply for Permanent Residence through one of the following:

  • Regular rounds of invitations to apply: highest-scoring candidates in each application pool
  • Category-based rounds of invitations to apply: highest-scoring candidates who meet category requirements

Veterinary professionals fall under the healthcare occupations category. The eligibility requirements for veterinary professionals include:

  • Accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work experience)
  • In a single occupation (veterinary)
  • Can either be in Canada or abroad
  • Meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round

For more information and useful resources on the Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program and processes, visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.

More FSWP Info

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP): Rural Renewal Stream

AAIP: Rural Renewal Stream Process Overview:

  • An eligible job offer
  • A community endorsement
  • Apply to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
  • Receive AAIP nomination with a letter of support
  • Apply for work permit
  • Apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for Permanent Residence

This immigration partway falls under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). Those who are eligible and possess a job offer from an employer in a designated Alberta community, along with an endorsement letter from said community, are then able to apply for nomination under the AAIP. The applicant must intend to and be able to reside and work in the designated community in Alberta.

With the AAIP nomination a letter of support may be issued, allowing the applicant to request an LMIA exempt Work Permit. The AAIP nomination will also allow the applicant to apply for Permanent Residence.

A minimum of 12 months of full-time work experience in an eligible occupation within the last 18 months before the application is required. The experience can be a combination of experiences gained in Alberta, in Canada (outside Alberta) or abroad. 

Depending on your specific background, additional documents (e.g. death certificate of spouse (if widowed), adoption certificate, proof of aliases, and so on) may be required.

Application acceptance dates, application targets and processing times are posted on AAIP processing times and application levels. They are subject to change. Applicants and prospective applicants should visit regularly for the most current information.

Find updates on the program and other AAIP programs here AAIP updates.

For more information and useful resources on how to apply for AAIP: Rural Renewal Stream, visit the Alberta government website.

More AAIP: Rural Renewal Stream Info

Express Entry

Express Entry is an electronic system used to manage the applications of skilled workers who wish to become permanent residents of Canada. Express Entry manages three programs:

  • The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
  • The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
  • The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

Veterinary professionals can apply for Permanent Residence from within Canada using any of the three programs. To be eligible for any of these programs, applicants must meet all the minimum requirements for skilled work experience, language ability and education.

Express Entry Application Process Overview:

  • Meet the eligibility criteria
  • Submit Express Entry profile
  • Receive an invitation to apply
  • Submit permanent residence application
  • Receive permanent residence confirmation

Just like the FSWP, all pathways under the Express Entry program follow similar processes. If the applicant qualifies, they can create an Express Entry profile. This is a way of showing interest in moving to Canada. The applicant will then be added to a pool of applicants and given a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score. Immigration, Refugees and Immigration Canada (IRCC) will assess the application based on additional selection factors.

The system gives extra points to people already working in Canada or those with a job offer in Canada. Applicants can get even more points if a province in Canada chooses them through a program like the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP).

People are invited to apply for permanent residence in two ways:
  • Regular invitations to apply for those with the highest scores
  • Category-based invitations to apply for those who fit specific requirements

Veterinary professionals will fall under the healthcare occupations category. The eligible requirements for veterinary professionals include:

  • Accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work experience)
  • In a single occupation (veterinary)
  • Can either be in Canada or abroad
  • Meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round.
For further details and resources on the Express Entry program, visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.
More Express Entry Info

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP): Alberta Express Entry Stream

AAIP: Alberta Express Entry Application Process Overview:

  • Meet all eligibility requirements
  • Submit Express Entry profile
  • Receive an invitation from AAIP
  • Then apply to AAIP
  • Receive AAIP nomination
  • Add AAIP nomination to the Express Entry profile
  • Receive an invitation to Apply for Permanent Resident
  • Then apply through Express Entry to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Permanent Residence

Background

This pathway is a stream of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), and it works in conjunction with the Express Entry Program.

Eligibility Requirements For This Stream Include:

  • Meeting the eligibility requirements for Express Entry Programs (Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
  • Having a CRS score above 300 points
  • Demonstrate that you have ties with Alberta, this can include:
  • Having an Alberta job offer
  • A graduate of a Canadian post-secondary institution
  • A parent, child, or sibling who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Alberta
  • French is your first language
  • Your Express Entry profile is valid for more than 5 months
You may receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) letter or be asked to apply if you have:
  • Experience in an in-demand occupation and an immediate family connection in Alberta.
  • A job offer from an Alberta employer in the healthcare sector and licensed to practice in one of the eligible healthcare professions under the Designated Healthcare Pathway; expedited processing applies.
  • Experience needed to help support labour needs in key sectors, including agriculture, construction, and tourism and hospitality.

Specific Permanent Residence Document Needed for AAIP: Alberta Express Entry Stream:

  • All immigration application forms
  • Passport or travel document (principal applicant and family members)
  • Valid language test results
  • Proof of Canadian education or valid educational credential assessment report
  • Proof of status in the country of residence (principal applicant and family members)
  • Provincial nomination (if applicable)
  • Valid job offer
  • Proof of work experience
  • Police certificate(s) (principal applicant and adult family members)
  • Birth certificate (principal applicant and family members)
  • Proof of relationship: marriage certificate/ divorce certificate and legal separation agreement/ common-law union form with supporting documents
  • Proof of funds
  • Proof of relationship to a relative in Canada (if applicable)
  • Permanent resident photo (principal applicant and family members) – must be taken within the last 12 months
  • Use of a representative form (if applicable)
Depending on your specific background, additional documents (e.g. death certificate of spouse (if widowed), adoption certificate, proof of aliases, and so on) may be required.
For more information and useful resources on how to apply for AAIP: Alberta Express Entry Stream, visit the Alberta government website.
More AAIP: Alberta Express Entry Stream Info

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP): Alberta Opportunity Stream

Alberta Opportunities Stream Application Process Overview:

  1. Meet all eligibility requirements
  2. Apply to Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
  3. Receive AAIP Nomination
  4. Apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Permanent Residence

Alberta’s provincial nominee program is another great option for Permanent Residence for those already in Alberta. 

The Alberta Opportunities Stream eligibility requirements are as follows:

  • Valid Work Permit for Alberta Employer
  • Eligible job offer from Alberta employer
  • Minimum Language Requirements
  • Minimum Education Requirements
  • Eligible work experience, either:
    • a minimum of 12 months of full-time work experience in your current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months, or
    • a minimum of 24 months of full-time work experience in your current occupation in Canada or abroad within the last 30 months or both – this work experience can be a combination of experience gained in Alberta, in Canada (outside Alberta) or abroad.

You must have the required licensing, registration or certification to work in your current occupation in Alberta.

Application acceptance dates, application targets and processing times are posted on AAIP processing times and application levels. They are subject to change. Applicants and prospective applicants should visit regularly for the most current information.

Find updates on the program and other AAIP programs here AAIP updates.

For more information and useful resources on how to apply for AAIP: Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, visit the Alberta government website.

More AAIP: AOS Info