With a small loan, immigrants can fund an accreditation/training process that allows them to work in their chosen field. Loans support internationally trained/educated professionals and trades people for a period of study and examination fees, or short term training.

Applicants can borrow funds to help with:

• Short term (two years or less) training
• Exam fees with a professional governing association
• Travel expenses to write an exam
• Qualification assessments
• Professional association fees
• Books and course materials
• Living allowance during study time
• Other related expenses

To be eligible for a loan, you must:

• Be an immigrant living in Alberta and a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or Convention refugee (protected person)
• Have worked in another country in the field you wish to return to (this program is not designed to help you learn a new career)
• Be able to work in your field in English
• Have a plan that sets out what you must do to be able to work in your field
• Be accepted into the program you are applying the loan toward (if applicable)
• Have a reasonable chance of obtaining employment in your field
• Lack access to other suitable or affordable financial resources
• Not have an undischarged bankruptcy
• Agree to repay the loan, with interest
• Complete an application and satisfy all requirements of the Loan Review Committee

Loan Terms and Conditions:

Typically, up to $5,000 may be borrowed. Applicants who require more than $5,000 should speak to their IAF Loan Administrator.

The interest rate on IAF loans is 4% (effective July 1/10)

Full terms and conditions are set out in our brochure.

To support IAF loans through a donation, please visit To Donate.

Alberta may experience a labour shortage as high as 111,000 workers in the next 10 years. The labour is expected to grow by 441,000 while 330,000 workers are expected to join the labour force.

Alberta’s Occupational Demand and Supply Outlook
(2007 – 2017)
Alberta Employment and Immigration