What conditions must be met to obtain permanent resident (PR) status?

Obtaining permanent resident status in Canada, particularly in Calgary, Alberta, is a complex, multi-step process that requires compliance with strict federal and provincial requirements. As Alberta's largest city, Calgary offers a variety of opportunities for immigrants thanks to its influx of newcomers, high standard of living, and strong industries, including oil and gas, technology, healthcare, and agriculture.

Main pathways to immigrate to Calgary

There are several immigration programs available to obtain permanent resident status in Calgary, each with specific requirements and criteria.

Express Entry System

Express Entry is the leading federal immigration system that manages three main programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). In 2025, Express Entry gained even more importance as the federal category increased its share from 22.8% in 2024 to 31.5% in 2025.

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) evaluates candidates based on a maximum of 1,200 points, which are distributed according to the following factors:

  • Basic human factors: age, education, language skills, Canadian work experience (up to 460-500 points)
  • Spouse factors (up to 40 points)
  • Skill transfer factors (up to 100 points)
  • Additional factors: provincial nomination (600 points), valid job offer (up to 50-200 points), Canadian education (up to 30 points)

As of 2025, the average passing score is around 617, which is significantly higher than the previous year's 481. The lowest recorded score was 379 for French-speaking candidates, while the highest was 802 for candidates with a provincial nomination.

Alberta Provincial Nominee Program (AAIP)

The Alberta Immigration Advantage Program (AAIP), formerly known as the AINP, allows the province to nominate candidates who meet Alberta's economic needs. The AAIP includes eight streams divided into two main categories:

Streams for workers:

  • Alberta Opportunity Stream (for temporary foreign workers and graduates of Alberta educational institutions)
  • Alberta Express Entry Stream (for candidates in the Express Entry pool)
  • Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway (for technology sector workers)
  • Rural Renewal Stream (for rural areas)

Entrepreneur streams:

  • Farm Stream
  • Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
  • Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
  • Rural Entrepreneur Stream

Detailed requirements for the Alberta Opportunity Stream

The Alberta Opportunity Stream is one of the most popular pathways for those already working in Alberta. The main requirements include:

Residency status and work permit

Applicants must have valid temporary resident status that allows them to work in Canada. Acceptable types of work permits include:

  • Positive LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment)
  • LMIA exemptions based on international trade agreements
  • Permits under International Experience Canada
  • Mobilité Francophone
  • Post-Graduation Work Permit for graduates of Alberta institutions

Language requirements

All candidates must demonstrate a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level:

  • CLB 5 for each language skill for NOC TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3
  • CLB 4 for NOC TEER categories 4 or 5
  • CLB 7 for NOC code 33102 (Nursing Assistants and Patient Care Assistants)

Educational requirements

Minimum requirement - completed secondary education, except for Post-Graduation Work Permit holders. For international graduates of Alberta institutions, their current profession must be related to their field of study.

Work experience

Candidates must have:

  • A minimum of 12 months of full-time employment in their current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months, or
  • A minimum of 24 months of full-time employment in their current occupation in Alberta within the last 30 months

Language proficiency requirements

Language proficiency is a critical factor for all immigration programs. For federal programs through Express Entry, the minimum requirements are:

IELTS requirements for different programs

  • Federal Skilled Worker Program: CLB 7 = IELTS 6.0 in each skill (reading, writing, listening, speaking)
  • Federal Skilled Trades Program: CLB 5 for speaking and listening, CLB 4 for reading and writing
  • Canadian Experience Class: CLB 5-7 depending on TEER level

Candidates with higher IELTS scores receive significantly more CRS points. The difference between CLB 7 and 8 is 6 points per skill, and between CLB 8 and 9 is 7 points per skill.

Medical examinations and health requirements

All permanent residence applicants must undergo a medical examination by an IRCC-approved doctor. The medical examination includes a general examination, chest X-ray, and laboratory tests.

Special features for Ukrainians under the CUAET program

Ukrainians who arrived under the CUAET (Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel) program have simplified medical examination requirements. In 99% of cases, Ukrainians do not need to undergo a repeat medical examination to apply for PR, as their medical examination may be valid for up to 5 years thanks to special simplifications.

Police certificates

Police certificates are mandatory for all applicants aged 18 and older. The main requirements include:

  • Certificates from all countries where the applicant has lived for 6 or more consecutive months after reaching the age of 18 during the last 10 years
  • Certificates must be issued no more than 3 months prior to applying for permanent residence
  • Certificates are required for the principal applicant, spouse, and dependent children aged 18 or older

Financial requirements

Financial requirements are critical for FSWP and FSTP applicants. As of July 2025, the minimum financial requirements are as follows:

Number of family members Amount required (CAD)
1 $15,263
2 $19,001
3 $23,360
4 $28,362
5 $32,168
6 $36,280
7 $40,392
Each additional member +$4,112

Exceptions to financial requirements

Applicants are not required to prove financial capacity if they:

  • Are applying through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
  • Have a work permit for Canada and a valid job offer

Application process

The complete list of documents required for PR application includes:

Basic documents:

  • Medical examination confirmation
  • Criminal record check
  • Work experience confirmation
  • Copies of birth certificates for children
  • Education confirmation (WES)
  • Passports for all family members
  • Job offer (LMIA), if applicable
  • Marriage or divorce documents
  • Digital photos

All documents must be certified and translated into English or French.

Features of obtaining an LMIA in Calgary

Employers in Calgary who wish to hire foreign workers must obtain an LMIA from Service Canada. The process includes:

  • Submitting an application with all supporting documents
  • Processing time: approximately 3-6 months
  • Possibility of LMIA pre-approval (approximately 12 weeks)

The LMIA confirms that there are no available Canadian citizens or permanent residents to perform this work.

Changes to immigration policy in 2025

  • Elimination of points for job offers Starting in spring 2025, the CRS will no longer award points for valid job offers.

  • New federal priorities IRCC is focusing on healthcare, trade occupations, and French language proficiency.

  • Reduction in PNP quotas The number of PNP quotas has been reduced from 110,000 to 55,000.

Processing times and deadlines

  • Express Entry: ~6 months
  • AAIP: depends on circumstances, several months

Maintaining permanent resident status

  • You must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days within 5 years
  • Benefits: social benefits, insurance number, medical insurance, right to citizenship

Conclusions

Obtaining permanent resident status in Calgary requires careful preparation and compliance with numerous requirements. Success depends on choosing the right immigration program, meeting all eligibility criteria, and submitting complete and accurate documents on time. Given the changes in immigration policy in 2025, applicants are advised to regularly monitor updates and consult with qualified immigration consultants to maximize their chances of success.

Calgary remains an attractive destination for immigrants due to its strong economy, high standard of living, and diverse career opportunities in various industries. With the right approach and compliance with all requirements, obtaining permanent resident status in this dynamic Canadian city is a completely achievable goal.