Edmonton city guide
For newcomers & families
Where the community is: Mill Woods in southeast Edmonton is the city’s main South Asian hub, with gurdwaras, temples, grocers and restaurants.
Health coverage
Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)
Register within your first months in Alberta at a registry agent or by mail.
Driver’s licence
Alberta driver’s licence (registry agents)
Exchange a foreign licence at a registry agent; some countries need road tests.
Getting around
Edmonton Transit Service (ETS, LRT)
Pay with a Arc card.
Schools
Edmonton Public Schools
Edmonton Catholic Schools
Public school is free for children of permanent residents and most work- and study-permit holders.
Free newcomer help
EMCN (Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers)
Alberta newcomer services
Free settlement services help with jobs, English or French classes, housing and paperwork.
First steps in Canada
Apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Canada Child Benefit for families
Open a bank account and get a local phone number in week one.
Read the full newcomer checklist →
Festivals & events
Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan in Mill Woods and the Edmonton Heritage Festival (August) are big community events.
Rules and programs change; always confirm on the official site before you apply.
Local directory
🍛 Indian restaurants
🍢 Pakistani restaurants
🥟 Nepali restaurants
🍬 Sweet shops & bakeries
🛒 South Asian grocery stores
🙏 Gurdwaras
🛕 Hindu temples
Some listing details come from © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and may be out of date. Own one of these businesses? Add or update your listing for free.
