THE ATLANTIC IMMIGRATION PROGRAM (AIP)
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates who wish to live and work in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Launched in 2017 as a pilot and later made permanent in 2022, AIP aims to address the specific labor market needs of these provinces by attracting and retaining global talent. The program is designed to support employers in the Atlantic region by helping them hire qualified candidates for positions they have been unable to fill locally. The AIP has proven to be a major success for immigrants, employers, and the Atlantic region. It continues to provide permanent resident status to thousands of immigrants each year, which addresses the needs of local employers, and promotes population, labour force, and economic growth.
HOW IT WORKS
This is an employer-driven program designed to help employers in Atlantic Canada hire qualified candidates for jobs they have been unable to fill locally. Once a designated employer finds a candidate who meets their employment needs and the program criteria, that employer will need to first offer them a job. Employers do not need to go through the process of obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
The AIP is a streamlined process that involves three main steps: obtaining a job offer, developing a settlement plan, and receiving endorsement from a designated employer.
JOB OFFER
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Employers in Atlantic Canada who are designated under the AIP can hire international candidates. These employers must first demonstrate that they have been unable to fill the position locally.
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The job offer must be full-time, non-seasonal, and meet the employment standards of the province where the job is located. Positions can range from high-skilled to intermediate-skilled jobs.
SETTLEMENT PLAN
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Once a candidate receives a job offer, they must work with a designated settlement service provider organization to develop a personalized settlement plan. This plan helps the candidate and their family adjust to life in Atlantic Canada by outlining the resources and services available to support their integration into the community.
ENDORSEMENT
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After the settlement plan is developed, the employer must apply for endorsement from the province. This involves submitting the job offer and settlement plan to the provincial government.
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If the endorsement is approved, the candidate can then apply for permanent residence through the AIP. While waiting for their permanent residence application to be processed, candidates can apply for a temporary work permit to start working in Canada sooner.
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Once the candidate has accepted the job, the employer will connect the candidate with a designated settlement service provider organization for a needs assessment and to develop a settlement plan. Employers will also support the long-term integration of the new immigrant and his or her family, if applicable, so they can reach the goals of their settlement plan once they arrive in Canada.
Employers that need to fill a job vacancy quickly will have access to a temporary work permit, so that the candidate and his or her family can come to Canada as soon as possible. In order to obtain this work permit, candidates will need:
1. a valid job offer;
2. a letter from the province; and
3. a commitment to apply for permanent residence within 90 days of the temporary work permit application.
REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY UNDER AIP
To be eligible for the Atlantic Immigration Program, candidates must meet specific requirements related to work experience, education, language proficiency, and proof of funds.
1. WORK EXPERIENCE
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Candidates must have at least one year of full-time (or an equivalent amount in part-time) work experience within the last five years in a job that is related to the job offer in Atlantic Canada. This experience must be in a skilled, semi-skilled, or entry-level occupation.
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You must have worked at least 1,560 hours in the last 5 years.
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The work experience needs to be under a National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER category of 0, 1, 2, or 3.
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Your work experience must include the actions in the description of your NOC, and most of the main duties of your NOC.
To calculate your hours
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Count hours worked in full-time and part-time jobs
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Only count paid hours of work. Do not count volunteer or unpaid hours
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Do not count self-employed work hours
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You can count hours worked inside Canada or abroad. You must have been legally authorized to work in Canada as a temporary resident
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Count hours that were accumulated over a period of time of at least 12 months
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You can count work experience you gained while you were studying as long as the work hours comply with the conditions of your study permit
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2. EDUCATION
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Candidates must have a high school diploma, post-secondary certificate, or degree that is equivalent to Canadian standards. An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from a designated organization is required to confirm this equivalency.
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If your offer is at the NOC TEER category 0 or 1, you must have a one-year post-secondary educational credential or higher, or the equivalent outside of Canada
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If your job offer is at the NOC TEER category 2, 3, or 4, you must have a Canadian high school diploma, or the equivalent outside of Canada.
3. LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
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Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in English or French by taking an approved language test and achieving a minimum score equivalent to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4.
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For NOC TEER category 0 or 1 job offers, you need a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level of 5.
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For NOC TEER category 2, 3, or 4 job offers, you need a CLB or NCLC level of 4.
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4. PROOF OF FUNDS
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Candidates must show that they have enough financial resources to support themselves and their family members after moving to Canada. This requirement is waived if the candidate is already living and working in Canada with a valid work permit.
5. JOB OFFER
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As mentioned earlier, candidates must have a valid job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada. The job offer must meet the program’s criteria regarding the type of employment and duration.
Updated June 3, 2024
Number of family members | Funds required |
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