Moving to Edmonton as a Newcomer to Canada: The Complete Guide

Over 25% of Edmonton's population are immigrants. The city has one of Canada's most robust settlement support networks, Alberta has no provincial sales tax, and the cost of living is significantly lower than Toronto or Vancouver. This guide covers every step of settling in Edmonton — from your first government paperwork to finding your cultural community. Every link below goes to an official government or organization website.

Essential Government Steps (Do These First)

Get Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Your SIN is a 9-digit number required to work in Canada, file taxes, and access government programs. It's free.

Three ways to apply:

• Online at sin-nas.canada.ca — processing takes about 5 business days (a new enhanced system launched in September 2025 can process eligible applications in minutes)

• In person at a Service Canada Centre — you receive your SIN during the visit

• By mail — allow 25 business days

Edmonton Service Canada locations:

• Edmonton Canada Place: 9700 Jasper Avenue, Suite 126

• Edmonton Millbourne: 148 Millbourne Market Mall, 7609 38 Avenue NW

What you need: Two pieces of ID. Permanent residents need their PR Card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence plus a document showing legal name and date of birth (e.g., passport). Work permit holders need their work permit plus a secondary ID.

More information: How to apply for a SIN — Government of Canada

Register for Alberta Health Care (AHCIP)

Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan covers medically necessary physician and hospital services. It's free — there is no monthly premium.

How to apply: In-person only, at any Alberta registry agent. There is no online or mail option.

What you need:

• Proof of Alberta residency (driver's licence, utility bill, or rental agreement)

• Proof of identity (passport, PR card)

• Proof of legal entitlement to be in Canada

Important — waiting period: If you're moving from another Canadian province, coverage begins on the first day of the third month after you establish Alberta residency. During this gap, you should either keep your previous province's health card active or purchase private health insurance. If you're arriving from outside Canada as a permanent resident, you may be eligible for immediate coverage depending on your documentation.

Find a registry agent: AHCIP — How to Apply

Learn more about AHCIP: Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan

Exchange Your Driver's Licence

You must exchange your licence within 90 days of becoming an Alberta resident.

Where: Any Alberta registry agent. Find a registry agent

Cost: Approximately $98–$105 including GST for a Canadian out-of-province exchange.

No road test required for: other Canadian provinces, the United States, and 40+ countries with reciprocal agreements — including the UK, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and most EU countries. Alberta expanded its reciprocal agreements in November 2025 to include European Economic Area countries.

Road test required for: countries without a reciprocal agreement. You'll need to pass a knowledge test ($17) and a road test ($140).

More information: Exchange non-Alberta licences — Government of Alberta

Register Your Vehicle (If Bringing One)

You have 90 days to register your vehicle in Alberta. Most out-of-province vehicles require a safety inspection before registration.

Inspection process: Get a Request for Vehicle Inspection Form from any registry agent, take your vehicle to a licensed inspection facility (typically $100–$200), then complete registration within 14 days of the inspection.

Exemptions: Vehicles less than 4 years old from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba may be exempt from inspection.

More information: Out-of-province vehicle inspections — Government of Alberta

Get Your Education Credentials Assessed (IQAS)

If you have education from outside Canada and need it recognized for employment, professional licensing, or immigration, apply to the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS). It's run by the Alberta government.

Cost: $260 for the first credential plus $25 administration fee. Additional credentials are $100 each.

Processing time: About 15 business days after all documents are received. Rush processing (5–7 business days) is available for $250.

Mailing address for transcripts: International Qualifications Assessment Service, C/O Service Alberta Mailroom — Commerce Place, 10155 102 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4G8

More information: International Qualifications Assessment Service — Government of Alberta

Setting Up Your Daily Life

Open a Bank Account

Canadian law requires two pieces of valid ID to open a bank account. Your passport and PR card (or work/study permit) are sufficient.

Every major Canadian bank has a newcomer program with waived monthly fees:

• RBC Newcomer Advantage: 12 months no monthly fees. You can open an account before arriving in Canada.

• BMO NewStart Program: 24 months no monthly fees — the longest waiver of any major bank

• TD New to Canada, Scotiabank StartRight, and CIBC Smart Arrival all offer 12-month waivers

Edmonton-specific option: ATB Financial New to Canada Banking is an Alberta-only bank with a dedicated newcomer program. No Canadian credit history required for a credit card (subject to approval). Extensive branch network across Alberta.

Get a Cell Phone

Start with a prepaid plan to avoid credit check issues. No ID or credit check required for prepaid.

Budget-friendly options: Public Mobile (Telus network, ~$29/month for 30 GB), Koodo (~$47/month for 50 GB), or Freedom Mobile (~$30–$50/month). All have good Edmonton coverage.

For postpaid plans: You'll need two pieces of ID and a credit check. Newcomers without Canadian credit history may be asked for a $200–$500 deposit. Many carriers offer specific newcomer promotions — ask about "newcomer plans."

Set Up Utilities

Edmonton has a unique utility setup: electricity and water are through EPCOR, natural gas is through ATCO (a separate company), and internet is through Telus or Shaw/Rogers. You need to contact each one separately.

We wrote a complete guide to this: Setting Up Utilities After Moving to Edmonton — it covers EPCOR, ATCO, Telus, Canada Post mail forwarding, and more.

Note for newcomers: EPCOR may require a security deposit if you have no Alberta credit history.

Get a Transit Card (Arc)

Edmonton Transit Service operates buses and 3 LRT lines with 29 stations. The Arc card is Edmonton's reloadable smart fare card.

Cost: $3.00 per ride (90-minute transfer window). Monthly fare cap: $102 — once you hit that amount, you ride free for the rest of the month. No need to buy a separate monthly pass.

Buy an Arc card at LRT station vending machines, select retail locations, or online at myarc.ca

Low-income residents can apply for subsidized fares through the Ride Transit Program

Finding a Home in Edmonton

Average rents (CMHC 2025 data):

• 1-bedroom: $1,100–$1,250/month

• 2-bedroom: $1,300–$1,500/month

• 3-bedroom: $1,500–$1,800/month

Edmonton's vacancy rate is 3.8% (2025) and projected at 4.0–4.5% for 2026 — the most renter-friendly market since 2020. Some landlords are offering incentives like a free first month.

The biggest challenge for newcomers: You arrive with no Canadian credit history. Strategies that work:

• Show proof of savings (ideally 6–12 months of rent)

• Get a guarantor or co-signer — a Canadian resident with good credit

• Offer to prepay several months

• Start with a sublet or room rental where requirements are more flexible

Rental scam warning: Rental scam losses in Canada exceeded $15 million in 2023. Never send money before viewing a property in person. Never sign a lease without seeing the unit. If the rent seems too low, it's probably a scam.

Your rights: Under Alberta's Residential Tenancies Act, your security deposit cannot exceed one month's rent. Your landlord has 10 business days after move-out to return it. Deductions for normal wear and tear are not allowed. Learn more about tenant rights in Alberta

Where newcomers tend to settle in Edmonton:

• Mill Woods (southeast): Large South Asian and Filipino communities, affordable, family-friendly

• Northeast Edmonton: Affordable housing, growing African and South Asian communities

• Southwest Edmonton: Growing immigrant population, newer suburbs

• Downtown/Oliver: More expensive but close to transit and services

For more on Edmonton's rental market, see our full guide: Edmonton Rental Market 2026: Vacancy Rates & Prices

Free Settlement Services in Edmonton

Edmonton has one of Canada's strongest newcomer support networks. All of the services below are free.

Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA)

Settlement counselling, document translation, interpretation (free), ESL classes, student support programs, and a New Neighbours social program. EISA also has settlement practitioners at 10 Edmonton Public Library branches.

Address: Suite 201, 10720 113 Street NW. Phone: 780-474-8445.

Website: Edmonton Immigrant Services Association

ASSIST Community Services Centre

Settlement and employment services, LINC English classes (free, starting twice monthly), youth/family/senior services. Two locations.

Downtown: 9649 105A Avenue NW. Phone: 780-429-3111.

Southwest: 820 Saddleback Road NW. Phone: 780-429-3119.

Website: ASSIST Community Services Centre

Edmonton Newcomer Centre (formerly Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers)

Serves up to 10,000 newcomers per year from over 100 countries. Settlement counselling, language programs, career services, health and wellbeing support, children and youth services. Services in over 30 languages.

Phone: 780-424-7709.

Website: Edmonton Newcomer Centre

Catholic Social Services

Settlement supports, temporary accommodation (up to 14 days for government-assisted refugees), English language training, citizenship preparation, family support, and Ukrainian settlement support. Services in 50+ languages. Free.

Website: Catholic Social Services — Newcomer Services

Edmonton Public Library — Newcomer Services

Free library card with access to materials in 30 languages, 100+ databases, language learning tools, Canadian citizenship practice exams, and streaming media through PressReader (2,000+ newspapers in 60 languages). EISA settlement practitioners are stationed at 10 branches for free one-on-one counselling.

Website: Edmonton Public Library — Newcomers

Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC)

Career mentorship program pairing newcomers with established Canadian professionals in the same occupation. Also offers networking events and the annual Alberta Global Talent Conference.

Website: Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council

Free English Language Programs (LINC)

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) is federally funded and completely free for permanent residents and refugees. Free childcare is available for LINC students with children aged 12 months to 11 years.

Edmonton LINC providers:

• NorQuest College: CLB Literacy to CLB 8. Full-time, part-time, evening, online, and blended options. Specialized courses including Youth LINC and Digital Literacy.

• Edmonton Catholic Schools: One of the largest LINC programs in Edmonton — 86 staff, 1,600 students per year. St. Basil location offers CLB 1–4. St. Francis of Assisi runs Alberta's only Women's LINC program.

• ASSIST Community Services Centre: Full-time and part-time classes, starting twice monthly.

• Edmonton Newcomer Centre: Virtual and in-person classes, CLB 1–4.

Enrolling Your Children in School

Registration is accepted year-round, but you must be living in Edmonton to register — you cannot register before your move.

Edmonton Public Schools (EPSB): Use the Find a School tool on their website to locate your designated school. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available. Standard enrollment deadline is March for the following school year, but registration is accepted anytime.

Edmonton Catholic Schools (ECSD): Similar enrollment process. Also offers specialized newcomer support.

Both school boards partner with settlement organizations like EISA to provide additional support for newcomer families.

Join Your Community League — Edmonton's Best-Kept Secret

Edmonton has 163 community leagues — neighbourhood-based associations that have existed since 1917. This system is unique to Edmonton and is genuinely one of the best ways to meet your neighbours and access city resources.

What you get with a membership (typically $25–$30/year for a family):

• 20% discount on City of Edmonton recreation centre memberships through the Community League Wellness Program (covers pools, gyms, arenas, fitness classes at 21 city rec centres)

• Access to your neighbourhood's community rink (outdoor skating in winter)

• Community events, playgrounds, sports leagues, yoga, and other programming

• Neighbourhood watch and community safety programs

• Hall rentals for events

Find your community league: Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues

Community League Wellness Program details: City of Edmonton — Community League Wellness Program

Find Your Cultural Community in Edmonton

Edmonton has established cultural communities with grocery stores, places of worship, and community organizations.

South Asian Community — Mill Woods & Southeast

Mill Woods is one of Edmonton's most established ethnic communities. Numerous South Asian grocery stores, restaurants, places of worship (gurdwaras, mosques, temples), and cultural centres. The Spice Centre and multiple South Asian plazas serve the community.

East Asian Community — Chinatown & Beyond

Edmonton's Chinatown (McCauley/Boyle Street neighbourhoods) is marked by the Harbin Gate. Lucky Supermarket at 10725 97 Street NW has been a community anchor for decades, offering Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, and Thai products. T&T Supermarket at West Edmonton Mall is Canada's largest Asian supermarket chain. H-Mart has two locations for Korean groceries.

African Community — Northeast & Mill Woods

Significant Somali, Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Nigerian communities. The Somali Canadian Cultural Society of Edmonton has served the community since 1991. African grocery stores and halal markets are concentrated in northeast Edmonton and Mill Woods. The Al Rashid Mosque, one of Canada's first mosques, serves Edmonton's Muslim community.

Sikh Community

The Nanaksar Gurdwara Gursikh Temple off Manning Freeway is one of the largest gurdwaras in North America. Its Langar hall seats over 10,000 and serves free vegetarian meals to anyone, regardless of faith. Edmonton's Sikh population is estimated at over 50,000.

Polish Community — Kingsway Area

The Kingsway area is known informally as Edmonton's "Little Poland," with Polish grocery stores, bakeries, and community organizations.

Surviving Your First Edmonton Winter

Edmonton winters are real: temperatures regularly reach -20°C to -35°C from December through February. Wind chill can push the "feels like" temperature to -40°C or colder. But with the right clothing and preparation, it is completely manageable — hundreds of thousands of newcomers have done it.

Essential clothing to buy after you arrive:

• Insulated winter parka rated to -30°C or colder (this is the most important item)

• Insulated waterproof winter boots with good traction

• Wool or thermal socks (not cotton — cotton gets wet and makes your feet colder)

• Toque (winter hat) that covers your ears

• Insulated gloves or mittens

• Scarf or neck gaiter to cover your face in wind

Where to buy affordable winter clothing in Edmonton:

• Value Village (secondhand, multiple locations) — quality winter coats at a fraction of retail

• The Mustard Seed Thrift Store — "Toonie Tuesday" on the first Tuesday of each month where nearly everything is $2

• Walmart and Canadian Tire — affordable new options

• Mark's Work Wearhouse — mid-range, Canadian-designed for Canadian winters

Do not bring winter clothing from a warm climate — it will not be warm enough. Buy Canadian winter gear after arrival.

For tips on actually moving during winter, see our winter moving guide: Moving in Edmonton During Winter

Alberta's Financial Advantages

Alberta is the only province in Canada with no provincial sales tax. You pay only the 5% federal GST — compared to 13% HST in Ontario or 12% combined GST+PST in British Columbia. On a $1,000 purchase, you save $70–$100 compared to living in Ontario.

Alberta also has no employer payroll or health tax, which means more jobs and competitive salaries.

Personal income tax: Alberta's lowest bracket is 8% on the first $60,000 (reduced from 10% in 2025). Combined federal and provincial tax rates are among the lowest in Canada.

Cost of living comparison: Edmonton's overall cost of living is approximately 23% lower than Toronto and 26% lower than Vancouver. The biggest difference is housing — Edmonton home prices are roughly one-third of Toronto or Vancouver prices.

Emergency Numbers to Know

• 911 — Police, fire, ambulance. Life-threatening emergencies only.

• 811 (Health Link) — 24/7 nurse advice line. Call for non-urgent medical questions before going to emergency.

• 211 — Free, confidential, multilingual, 24/7. Connects you to social services, counselling, mental health, housing, and basic needs.

• 311 — City of Edmonton non-emergency services: transit, parking, recreation, city programs.

• 780-423-4567 — Edmonton Police non-emergency line. Also accessible by dialling #377 on your mobile within city limits.

Canadian Cultural Norms Newcomers Should Know

Tipping: Restaurants expect 15–20% of the pre-tax bill. This is not optional — service workers depend on tips as a significant part of their income. Coffee shops: $1–$2 or 10%. Taxis and rideshare: 10–15%. Hair salons: 15–20%.

Punctuality: Canadians consider being on time a sign of respect. Arrive 5–10 minutes early for appointments. If you will be late, always call or text ahead — even if it's only a few minutes.

Quiet hours: Edmonton's noise bylaw sets quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Residential noise limit is 50 dB overnight. Lawn mowing and snow removal are only permitted between 7 AM and 10 PM. Edmonton Noise Bylaw

Waste sorting: Edmonton uses a 3-stream waste system. Black bin for garbage, green bin for compost (food scraps, yard waste), and blue bag for recycling (paper, cardboard, plastics, cans, glass). The WasteWise app (available in multiple languages) helps you sort correctly. Improper sorting can result in your bin not being collected. Edmonton Waste & Recycling

Edmonton is one of the most welcoming cities in Canada for newcomers — and the support network is deeper than most people realize. Between free settlement services, LINC language programs, community leagues, and the lowest taxes in the country, you have a strong foundation to build on.

For neighbourhood guides, moving costs, and parking bylaws, see our full Edmonton moving page at Edmonton Moving Services. When you're ready to plan your move, get a free quote.