Atlantic Immigration Program – The Ultimate Guide To Apply
A federal program known as the Atlantic Immigration Program enables qualified foreign workers and international students who have studied in Canada to settle and find employment permanently in one of four Atlantic provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick (NB), Prince Edward Island (PEI), or Newfoundland and Labrador (NL).
The prosperous Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) was replaced by this new PR route on December 31, 2021. The AIP is employer-driven, just like the pilot. By assisting firms in filling positions for which they haven’t been able to find qualified individuals locally, it seeks to solve the labour shortages in the four provinces.
Newcomers can now move to one of Canada’s four Atlantic program provinces: Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, or Newfoundland and Labrador, according to Atlantic Immigration Program, a new immigration route. This article summarizes the requirements and application procedure for becoming a permanent resident (PR) in Canada through AIP Canada.
Who can apply for Atlantic Immigration Program Canada?
- You recently graduated from an Atlantic recognized post-secondary institution (college or university) or are a skilled foreign worker in Canada or overseas,
- Possess a legitimate job offer from an AIP designated employer,
- A minimum level of job experience,
- Satisfy the educational requirements,
- Meet the language proficiency requirements, and
- Show you have the resources to sustain your family and yourself in Canada.
Atlantic Immigration Program Requirements
Work Experience Requirements
You will only be eligible for the Atlantic Immigration Program if you satisfy all of the following requirements:
- In the previous five years, you must have put in at least 1,560 hours of work (approximately equal to 30 hours per week for one year). This can include time spent working full- or part-time jobs, as well as time spent studying.
- Your prior work experience was in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) job with TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 (formerly Skill Type 0, Skill level A, B, or C). Your employment history must align with the job responsibilities listed for that NOC.
- Your work experience was paid. Volunteer work, unpaid internships, and self-employment do not qualify.
- Hours worked both inside and abroad might be counted. You must have been authorized to work lawfully in Canada as a temporary resident.
- Add up the number of hours you worked throughout at least 12 months.
- As long as the hours worked to adhere to the guidelines of your study permit, work experience earned while you were studying is admissible.
If you were an international student who attended school in Canada, you are exempt from the work experience requirements as long as you:
- You have completed at least a two-year degree, diploma, certificate, trade certification, or apprenticeship from an Atlantic recognized post-secondary school.
- Were enrolled full-time during the entirety of your studies program.
- Spent the two years before graduation spending at least 16 months living in an Atlantic province.
- Possessed a valid visa or authorization to study or work and were present legally.
Educational Requirements
You must fulfil one of the following educational requirements to be eligible for the Atlantic Immigration Program:
- If the job you’re applying for requires a NOC TEER 0 or 1 (formerly known as a Skill type 0 or skill level A), you must possess a one-year Canadian post-secondary degree or international equivalent.
- You must possess a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent outside of Canada if your job offer is for a NOC TEER 2, 3, or 4 (formerly a B or C skill level).
Suppose you completed your studies outside of Canada. In that case, you must obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to verify that your coursework meets the requirements of Canadian educational standards for the position you have been offered. On the day IRCC receives your application, the ECA report must be no older than five years.
Language Skill Requirements
Your job offer’s minimal language requirements are determined by the NOC category. They may be Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB, for English) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC, for French) levels, depending on the language.
- For a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 (previously skill type 0 or skill level A or B) occupation, you need at least a CLB/NCLC 5.
- For a NOC TEER 4 (previously skill level C) occupation, you must have at least a CLB/NCLC 4.
Test results from a recognized language testing organization must be submitted to IRCC. When you apply, the test results must be no older than two years.
Proof of Settlement Funds Requirements
During your first few months in Canada, you must have enough cash to maintain yourself and your family. Regardless of whether they are travelling to Canada with you, the amount of settlement cash needed depends on the size of your family.
- You don’t need to provide proof of funds if you reside in Canada and are employed there under a valid work permit.
- Your family size, which includes anyone you support who is not immigrating with you, will determine how much you need. All other candidates must demonstrate that they can keep their families once they arrive in Canada. Please review the table below.
Proof of fund amount for Atlantic Immigration
Number of family members (including those you support that aren’t immigrating with you) | Funds required |
1 | $3,327 |
2 | $4,142 |
3 | $5,092 |
4 | $6,183 |
5 | $7,013 |
6 | $7,909 |
7 | $8,806 |
For each additional family member | $896 |
Job Offer Requirements For Atlantic Program
You must submit a job offer from an Atlantic Immigration designated employer in one of the four Atlantic provinces as part of the application procedure for the Atlantic Immigration Program. On the websites of the Atlantic provincial governments, you can find a list of Designated employers in Nova Scotia, a List of designated employers in New Brunswick who are permitted to hire applicants under the AIP and unfilled positions.
Your employment offer must fulfil the following requirements to qualify for the AIP:
- It must be for a full-time position requiring at least 30 hours of weekly paid work.
- The position must be year-round and steady, without a seasonal component.
- The job offer must be for at least a year after becoming a permanent resident to qualify for NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 (formerly Skill Type 0 or Skill level A or B) employment.
- The job offer for NOC TEER 4 (formerly Skill level C) must be permanent without an expiration date.
- The company making the employment offer cannot be one in which you or your spouse own a majority stake.
- The employment offer should need at least the same degree of ability as your relevant work experience. There are exceptions for foreign graduates and specific positions in the healthcare industry.
You and the employer must sign an Offer of Employment to a Foreign National Form when you accept a job offer from a recognized Atlantic employer. A copy of the form must be kept in your PR application. You should also request a copy of your employer’s Confirmation of Designation from them.
How to apply for Canada Atlantic Immigration Program?
Step 1: Make sure you're eligible to immigrate under Atlantic Canada
Before applying, you must meet the eligibility requirements (Work Experience, Education, Language Proficiency, and Proof of Funds) of the Atlantic Program described above.
Step 2: Gather the essential documents
It’s best to start gathering your essential documents early to avoid delays in your PR application through Atlantic Immigration Program. Some of the essential documents for your PR application include the following:
- Language test Results: All candidates, including those who attended school in Canada, must pass a test to demonstrate their proficiency in either English, French, or both languages. For your job offer, your CLB/NCLC results must satisfy the minimum language standards.
- Education Credential Assessment (ECA): If your education were received outside of Canada, you would need an ECA to confirm that your credentials are at the same level as or higher than necessary for your NOC.
- Proof of work experience: You must provide employer work reference letters, job contracts, or pay stubs to demonstrate your work experience. If you have previously worked in Canada, you must also present a copy of your work visa and T4 tax information slips. Requirements for work experience are waived for foreign graduates of institutions in Atlantic with designated status.
- Proof of settlement funds: bank statement or other proof from your financial institution is required to show you have enough money to support yourself and your family in Canada unless you are already employed there under a valid work permit.
- Offer of Employment to a Foreign National – AIP (IMM 0157): This form will be filled out by your authorized employer, who will also provide you with a copy.
- Use of a representative (IMM 5476): If you hire an immigration consultant (RCIC) or other paid or unpaid agents to file your application, you require this form.
- Proof of temporary residence status: If you are already in Canada, you must provide a copy of your work or study permit as proof of your temporary residency status.
- Identity and other personal documents: Additional papers such as birth certificates, marriage or divorce decrees, etc., may be required.
- Police certificate: Your local law police must run a criminal background check.
Step 3: Get your settlement plan
A settlement plan is required for your Atlantic Immigration Program application once you have received a job offer from an employer in Atlantic Canada. Your AIP designated employer might make recommendations for settlement service providers. Alternatively, depending on whether you’re inside or outside Canada, you can select a settlement service provider from the government’s website.
Based on your supply data, the settlement service provider organization will assess your resources and needs and produce a custom settlement plan. Your settlement plan will guide you as you settle into your new life in Canada and inform you of the free services offered in your new community.
You’ll need to give your employer a copy of your settlement plan so they may present it to the province with their application for endorsement. When moving to Canada, don’t forget to include your settlement plan.
You cannot get employment assistance from settlement service providers in Canada. Once you have received a formal job offer from an AIP Canada designated employer, you should only contact them.
Step 4: Get a Certificate of Endorsement
Your employer must obtain the province’s approval of your job offer once they have your settlement plan. You cannot submit your application for permanent residency until your job offer has been approved.
You will obtain a Certificate of Endorsement to include with your application for permanent residence once the province has approved your job offer.
Step 5: Complete your application for PR and pay the application fees
Review the instruction guide and document checklist (IMM 0155) thoroughly before submitting your PR application. Make sure you accurately and honestly fill out all required sections.
Before applying, you must pay the application fees, including the biometrics fee. Your email address and a debit or credit card can be used to pay the fees online. A printed copy of the receipt should be included with your completed application.
What is the application fee for AIP Canada?
Each adult must pay $1,365 as part of the Atlantic Immigration Program application process. This includes an $850 application processing fee and a $515 fee for the right of permanent residence. Each dependent child will be charged an extra $230 fee if you apply for the AIP with your family.
A biometrics fee of $85 CAD per person or $170 per family is required, in addition to the country-specific costs for medical exams.
Step 6: Submit your application
Your application for permanent residence can be submitted online, by mail, or by courier. Follow the government’s mailing instructions to send your application via ordinary mail or courier. Make sure you submit the printed and signed application and a copy of your payment receipt.
To apply online, create an account on the PR online application portal. You can fill out the Generic Application Form (IMM 0008), Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669), Additional Family Information (IMM 5406), and Supplementary Information – Your travels (IMM 5562) forms digitally and upload the remaining forms to your online application in PDF format.
No forms must be printed or manually signed by you (unless a form requires a third-party signature). Applying online could be quicker and simpler as the Canadian government is working on digitizing its immigration application process and shortening processing times.
Step 7: Waiting for a response to your application
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC) will examine your application after you have submitted it. Your application will be submitted for processing if it is complete, and you will get a letter or email with your IRCC office file number and instructions on what to do next.
After thoroughly reviewing your application and comparing it to the criteria for selection, an IRCC official will decide. You can get information on how to attend a medical examination at an authorized facility in your country.
If your application is accepted, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). IRCC will provide instructions on submitting your biometrics and obtaining a visa stamp in your passport if you are outside Canada. A few weeks after you arrive in Canada, you’ll get your PR card in the mail.
What is the Atlantic Program processing time?
The government website states that the current processing period for Atlantic Immigration Program applications for PR is 12 months. Processing periods, however, may differ depending on the number of applications received, the completeness of your application, the ease with which your information may be verified, and other elements.
Step 8: Applying for a temporary work permit while awaiting your PR approval (Optional)
Your PR application may take some time to process and be accepted. While you wait for a response to your PR application, you might be able to apply for a temporary work visa to work in Canada.
This work permit is only valid for employees of designated Atlantic employers who have extended an employment offer to candidates under the AIP program. The temporary work permit is good for a year, and you have 90 days from applying for the work permit to submit your application for permanent residency. To be eligible for a work permit, you must:
- An acceptable job offer from an Atlantic designated employer.
- A letter of recommendation from the province where you will be employed.
- Additional records, such as the outcomes of your language tests, academic credentials, and evidence of work experience.
Obtaining a temporary work permit while reviewing your PR application is optional. You will need a work permit if you accept a job offer from an employer in the Atlantic and want to start working before your PR is issued.
Step 9: Get ready to get your PR upon your arrival at POE
Be prepared to show an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) officer your COPR at the Port of Entry (POE). Your PR card, which acts as documentation of your status as a permanent resident, will be mailed to the Canadian address you listed on your COPR.
Atlantic Immigration Program: FAQs
For qualified foreign employees and international graduates who want to live and work in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces, the Canada AIP Program is a route to permanent residence.
A federal immigration program called the Atlantic Immigration Program assists employers in finding qualified foreign workers and international graduates to fill open positions. The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, which was successful but ended in 2021, serves as the foundation for this new employer-driven initiative.
- Unless you are an international graduate of an Atlantic Canada-recognized post-secondary institution, you must have qualifying job experience.
- Fulfil or surpass the academic criteria.
- Meet or surpass the language specifications.
The candidate must take any of the following language tests in either English or French as proof of their language competency. The CELPIP-General is an accredited English language assessment (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) General Training IELTS (International English Language Testing System).
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP), which ended on December 31, 2021, was superseded by AIP. When the pilot Ministerial Instructions (MIs) ended on March 5, 2022, IRCC ceased accepting AIPP applications.
The government website states that the current processing period for Canada AIP Program applications for PR is 12 months. Processing periods, however, may differ depending on the number of applications received, the completeness of your application, the ease with which your information may be verified, and other elements.
The Atlantic region, employers, and immigrants have all found the AIP to be a huge success. It continues to grant thousands of immigrants permanent resident status each year, meeting the demands of neighbourhood employers while promoting population, labour force, and economic growth.
The four Atlantic provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island provide a speedier, simpler, and more straightforward route to Canadian permanent residence than other provinces since historically, they have drawn fewer immigrants.
There is no age limit for the AIP.
You must apply for employment with Atlantic Canadian companies that AIP has identified to be considered for a job offer. Below is a list of companies from each province permitted to use the Atlantic Immigration Program to hire foreign workers.
Nova Scotia is considered one of the easiest provinces to get PR in Canada.
About half of all new Canadian permanent residents arrived in Ontario in 2021. The largest city in Canada is also the most populated in Ontario. Most newcomers who listed Ontario as their desired province of residence expected to settle in Toronto.
For qualified foreign workers and international graduates from accredited post-secondary institutions in Atlantic Canada who desire to work and live in New Brunswick, the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a route to permanent residence.
Generally, this denotes that you work continuously and regularly for pay all year round. The company must be willing to hire you for a position that will persist for at least a year after you become a permanent residence for the offer to fall under the NOC 2021 TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 categories.
Due to the lack of applicants with the required experience or abilities, many employers in Atlantic Canada have trouble filling positions.
Your residence obligation requires that you remain in that province for two years. If you move to a different province after obtaining permanent residency through a PNP program or Canada Atlantic Immigration Program, applying for citizenship may present difficulties.
- Financial auditor and accountants 1111
- Other financial officers 1114
- Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations 1123
- Administrative assistants 1241
The core documents that are required for the Canada AIP are as follows:
- One of the four Canadian language tests’ results that have been accepted by the IRCC.
- Your ECA document.
- Unless you are a recent graduate of a DLI in Atlantic Canada, your documentation of work experience
- Evidence of adequate funding
- Job offer from designated AIP region employer
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), recently announced by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), became permanent on January 1, 2022. The pilot was initially introduced by the Canadian government in 2017.
The Province must issue a work permit referral letter for foreign workers who need work permits. Employers submitting employment offers supporting work permit applications must register in the federal employer portal, pay a compliance fee, and submit the job offer.
While the AIP mainly focuses on restocking the labour pool of the Atlantic provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island, Express Entry is a much more comprehensive immigration policy that works with the entire country.
As the PR requirements for the programs (AIP) are different, an applicant who has submitted an AIP PR application cannot use the change of employers method if they are switching from one designated AIP employer to another designated AIP employer.
A CLB grade of 4 or an IELTS score of 4.5, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.0 in listening, reading, writing, and speaking are prerequisites for candidates applying through AIPP for a PR visa in Canada.
You must submit an application for employment with Atlantic Canadian companies that Canada Atlantic Immigration Program has identified to be considered for a job offer.
The majority of the time, to receive a job offer from Canada that is acceptable for immigration purposes, the candidate must acquire a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). But LMIA is not necessary under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program.
The four provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island offer a quicker, easier, and smoother route to Canadian permanent residence through the Atlantic as compared to other provinces because historically, the Atlantic provinces have attracted fewer immigrants.
The Atlantic region, employers, and immigrants have all found the Atlantic Immigration Program a huge success. It continues to grant thousands of immigrants permanent resident status each year, meeting the demands of local enterprises and fostering population, labour force, and economic growth.
How Can We Help You?
There are various ways for immigrants to become permanent residents of Canada. The Atlantic Immigration Program is a great avenue to consider if you intend to relocate to one of Atlantic provinces. Although the application procedure can seem a little intimidating, if you carefully read the eligibility requirements and follow the application guidelines, you might be able to realize your dream of living in Atlantic Canada.
Careful planning and understanding Canadian immigration regulations are key to avoiding delays, banes, or refusals of visas. Our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant can provide expert advice to make the process as smooth and efficient as possible.
The regulations governing immigration to Canada are well and thoroughly understood by qualified and specifically trained RCICs. You can speed and simplify the application process for a visa application by seeking professional advice from a qualified, skilled and experienced RCIC. While no one can guarantee you visa approval, professional advice from an RCIC can maximize the potential of your visa being granted.
Planning carefully and being aware of Canadian laws are essential for avoiding delays, penalties, and visa refusal. To make the procedure as efficient and smooth as possible, our RCIC provides expert advice.
Hi, I need urgent info on the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP); how do I go about applying for the program and all info that could be of help towards successful application? Counting on your support. Thanks.
To apply for the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), visit the official immigration website for your province in the Atlantic region. Gather the required documents, complete the application form, and submit it online. Ensure you meet eligibility criteria and stay updated on program changes. Good luck with your application!