Below is a list of grocery stores in Alberta. Click to locate the store closest to you. Some grocery stores may offer online shopping or pick-up options.
If temporary residents have family or friends close to their new home, they can arrange to have someone pick up and deliver supplies.
Of course, temporary residents may not always know anyone in their new city or town. For a temporary resident in this situation, the best solution is to leverage the various online grocery shopping options.
Finder Canada is a great resource to find a delivery option that suits your needs.
Make a list - even when shopping online, preparing a list before you put things into your (virtual) cart will help keep you on track and on budget. It's easy to start purchasing things that you don't really need when the product photos start popping up on the screen.
Be flexible – on many of the grocery stores you will find online is an option to “accept substitutions.” This means that if the product you requested is out of stock, but there is something very similar available, they will substitute the out of stock item for the similar item. Being flexible and allowing substitutions may give you a better chance of receiving all of the types of products you are shopping for. If you are not comfortable with allowing substitutions, then you will have to order the out of stock item another time, or from another store.
Order ahead of time – as mentioned above, it is best to order your items well in advance of when you actually need them. With a higher demand for online grocery shopping, stores can only accommodate so many deliveries at a time and may have to push your delivery further out than you hoped for.
Practice proper safety techniques – if the option is available, it is a good idea to go with contactless delivery. This means that the delivery person will leave your items outside of your door, reinforcing physical distancing measures and keeping you both safe. The Government of Canada has outlined more tips on their website.
Online grocery shopping is a convenient and necessary way to practice physical distancing for temporary residents during and beyond the self-isolation period.
For International Students: If your study permit is going to expire soon, you have 3 options:
About the process: The expiry date on your study permit tells you when you have to stop studying and leave Canada.
You can find the expiry date in the top right corner of your permit. This date is usually the length of your study program, plus 90 days. The extra 90 days gives you time to prepare to leave Canada or to extend your stay in Canada.
When to apply: You should apply to extend your permit at least 30 days before it expires. Make sure your passport doesn’t expire at the same time. You can’t extend your study permit beyond your passport’s expiry date.
If you apply before your permit expires, you can stay in Canada under the same conditions as your current study permit until a decision is made.
You should apply to extend your study permit if you plan to travel outside Canada and your permit will expire while you’re travelling.
How to apply: Before you apply to extend your study permit, make sure your school is on the designated learning institution list (DLI). In most cases, you must apply online to extend your study permit. Find out how to apply and restore your status.
Benefits of applying online:
Study permit (including extensions): $150
Restore your status: $350
Processing time - 52 days
You can submit a paper application if either:
Click here for what to do if you can’t apply online.
Find more information about extending your study permit here.
About the process: If you’re eligible for the post-graduation work permit program, you’ll still be able to get a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) if your in-person classes in Canada have been moved to an online-only format and you had to begin or will continue your classes online because of COVID-19, or you had to put your studies on hold or study part-time during the winter, spring or summer 2020 semesters because of COVID-19.
If you’re outside of Canada: You’re still eligible for a PGWP if you can’t travel to Canada at this time and you have a study permit.
If you applied for your study permit before starting your program: Any time spent studying online from outside Canada since spring 2020 now counts toward the length of a PGWP. (Before, only the time spent studying online after you were approved for a study permit counted.)
You won’t have time deducted from the length of yourPGWP for studies you complete outside Canada until April 30, 2021.
How much of your program you can complete online: How much of your program you can complete online depends on when you started studying and how long your study program is.
You must complete at least 50% of the combined length of the 2 programs in Canada.
Who can apply:
You have 180 days after you get your final marks to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). To be eligible, your study permit must have been valid at some point during these 180 days. Don’t let your status expire while you wait for your marks.
You can apply for a PGWP if:
You must also have:
How to apply: You can apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) from inside Canada or overseas, as long as you’re eligible. If your study permit will expire before you get your marks, you have 2 options. You can:
If your study permit expires before you apply: If you don’t change your status to visitor and your study permit expires, you have up to 90 days after your study permit expires to apply for a PGWP and restore your status as a student.
To restore your status as a student, you must:
You can’t work until your study permit and work permit have been approved. If you don’t apply within the 90 days, or if the 90 days have already passed, you must leave Canada.
Get your documents ready
Before you can apply for a PGWP, you need:
After you apply:
You can work full-time until we make a decision on your work permit application if you
Processing time is the average for how long it takes from when an application is received to when a decision is made. Learn more on the IRCC website.
Processing time
Online:183 days
Paper:183 days
You can apply to change your status to visitor, if you’re not studying or applying for a PGWP. When you first come to Canada as a visitor, you use one of these documents to enter:
If you want to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor (stay in Canada longer), you need to apply for a visitor record. You must apply for a visitor record before your current status expires.
Fees: $100
Processing time: Online 181 days
Learn more about extending your stay in Canada as a visitor.
You should apply at least 30 days before your current status expires if you want to extend your stay as a worker in Canada.
When to extend a temporary worker’s permit: The temporary worker must apply to extend or change the conditions of their work permit if you want to:
What you need to do before the temporary worker can apply to extend their permit: Before they can apply to extend or renew their work permit, you need to either:
Who can apply:
This application is for you if you:
How to apply: Before you apply, make sure your employer has completed all the required steps.
If you need to leave and return to Canada: If your visitor visa expired, you need to apply for a new visitor visa before you travel outside Canada. In most cases, you must apply online to extend or change the conditions on your work permit.
How applying online helps you
Steps to apply:
You can submit a paper application if either:
Click here for what to do if you can’t apply online.
After you apply
If your application is approved, you’ll get:
Fees: from $155
Processing time Online: 183days
Learn more about extending your stay as a temporary worker.
If you want to extend your stay as a visitor or change your status (from international student or worker to visitor for example), you should apply at least 30 days before your current status expires.
A visitor record is for people who want to:
It doesn’t matter if you entered Canada using a visitor visa, electronic travel authorization (eTA) or another document. If you want to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor, you need a visitor record.
How to apply:
When you apply online, they get your application instantly, which can help process your application faster. If you already applied on paper, you don’t have to resubmit your application online.
You can submit a paper application if either:
After you apply: If your processing time has passed, you may contact IRCC using this Web form. For the “type of application/enquiry,” select one of the temporary residence options (online or on paper).
If your status expires: If you apply to extend your stay in Canada before the date you’re supposed to leave, you can legally remain in Canada until a decision is made on your application. In this situation, you have implied status.
Processing time: Online - 181 days
Travel exemptions and restrictions for international students: International students who hold a valid study permit, or who had been approved for a study permit when the travel restrictions took effect on March 18, 2020, or who are coming from the United States, and who are entering for a non-discretionary purpose.
Your travel to Canada may be considered non-discretionary as a student if:
A border services officer will make the final decision on whether your reason for travelling toCanada is non-discretionary or non-optional.
When you travel to Canada
Make sure you have proof that you’re exempt from the travel restrictions and that you’re travelling for a non-optional or non-discretionary purpose. When the border services officer greets you, they look at several factors, including:
You must bring:
Before you travel, you can contact the Border Information Service for more information.
A border services officer will make the final decision on whether you’re eligible to enter Canada when you arrive.
Health requirements for travellers to Canada
To travel to Canada, you must:
Mandatory Quarantine: Currently, anyone entering Canada will be forced to enter a mandatory 14-day quarantine. This quarantine is being enforced and those breaking quarantine may be subject to fines and jail time. Certain exemptions will be made for essential workers. (Source: IRCC)
Isolation Plan: If you are planning to enter Canada, you should prepare an isolation plan, detailing how you intend to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. If you do not have an isolation plan in place you may be denied entry, or made to isolate at a government-designated hotel for the isolation period. You also must wear a mask during your travel from the Port of Entry to your isolation location.
Travel restrictions and exemptions for temporary workers:
As a temporary worker, you’re exempt from travel restrictions if you’re coming for an essential (non-discretionary) purpose. Certain people who can work without a permit may also be exempt from travel restrictions.
Essential(non-discretionary) travel for a temporary worker:
Essential refers to travel for reasons that are non-discretionary and non-optional. The emergency orders under the Quarantine Act do not allow people to travel to Canada for optional or discretionary reasons, such as for tourism, recreation or entertainment.
As a worker, your travel is essential (non-discretionary)if you’re in either of these situations:
When you travel to Canada
You need to show airline staff that you’re exempt from the travel restrictions. To do this, show the following documents to airline personnel when you’re boarding your flight:
Who is eligible to travel to Canada:
Foreign nationals, including United States (US) citizens, can travel to Canada only if they’re eligible. Restrictions vary depending on where you’re coming from.
If you’re eligible to travel, you must have a quarantine plan that shows how you will quarantine for 14 days when you arrive in Canada, including how you’ll
A quarantine plan is mandatory.
Protect yourself and others
If you must travel or are already outside Canada, get the latest advice and information for your safety and security.
During your trip:
If you feel sick during your flight or upon arrival:
When travelling outside Canada, expect increased health screening measures at points of entry for international destinations, including airports and land borders. Local authorities may impose control measures suddenly, including movement restrictions such as quarantines.
Leaving Canada while in mandatory quarantine or isolation
No one should travel when sick. Commercial airline restrictions may also prevent you from boarding your plane if you're sick.
If you arrive in Canada and have started your 14-day mandatory quarantine or isolation period but then have to leave the country before this period ends, you must:
Non-medical masks or face coverings while travelling
All air travellers, with some exceptions, are required to wear a non-medical mask or face covering while travelling.
The following people should not wear a mask:
You may also be required to wear a non-medical mask or face covering on other modes of transportation that are federally regulated. Before you travel, check to see how transportation measures affect your plans and what you need to pack.
