Hey Wait ??
Before you go, share your details so we can call you and help you find the right service.
Canada Atlantic Immigration Program
There is no doubt about the increase of Immigrants into the Canadian provinces over the last few years. Moreover, each province has its own program in the Provincial Nominee Programs in which provinces comes up with different programs to attract aspiring Immigrants. Such is the Canada Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
Originally launched in 2017 as the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program has brought 10,000 Permanent Residence Immigrants to the province. Seeing the success of the program, the Canadian government made the decision to make it permanent in 2021. The new permanent program which was renamed as Atlantic Immigration Program was officially opened on March 6, 2022. As part of the Atlantic Growth Strategy, It is an employer-driven program, designed to fill labour shortages in the Canadian Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Atlantic Immigration Program is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who want to work and live in 1 of Canada’s 4 Atlantic Provinces. The program helps employers hire qualified candidates for jobs they haven’t been able to fill locally.
To be able to apply under the AIP, you musT
- Intend to settle in Atlantic Canada
- Be a skilled worker
- Have a 1-year work experience
- Minimum Bachelor’s Degree
- Meet the language criteriaI,ie, IELTS test required
- Show you have enough settlement funds
The processing time for AIP applications is 6 months. The applicant must file the PR application within six months of getting the endorsement certificate.
The most exciting benefit of this program is that employers that need to fill an immediate job vacancy have access to a temporary work permit, so the skilled immigrant can come and work right away while waiting for the application to be processed.
FAQ's regarding Canada atlantic immigration program
You can be either –
- Living abroad, or
- Already be in Canada as a temporary resident.
There is no particular age limit for AIP Canada. However, candidates who are between the ranges of 18-35 years have more of a chance to immigrate to Canada. It is because they are considered perfect for the required skilled jobs. Also, applicants till the age of 50 can apply to gain permanent residency.
If eligible, you can take the AIP route to Canada PR and settle within any of the Canadian provinces that make up Atlantic Canada –
To qualify for this temporary work permit, the skilled immigrants will need a valid job offer.
OUR MEDIA MENTIONS
Looking for Canada Immigration? Join Us Now!
Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a partnership between the Federal Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces: New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. This employer-driven initiative streamlines the immigration process for skilled workers from abroad to the Atlantic Canada region. To participate in the AIP, primary applicants must have a job offer from a designated employer and a settlement plan for themselves and their families.
Designated employers first identify candidates who meet the program’s criteria and their employment needs, then extend job offers. Notably, the AIP does not require employers to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Once a candidate accepts a job offer, the employer connects them with a designated service provider organization. This organization assesses the candidate’s needs and develops a settlement plan. Employers also support the long-term integration of the new immigrants and their families to ensure the objectives of the settlement plan are met upon their arrival in Canada.
Employers needing to quickly fill a job vacancy can utilize the Provisional Work Visa, allowing the immigrant and their family members to arrive in Canada promptly.
To obtain this Work Visa, candidates must have:
- A valid job offer
- A letter issued by the Province
- A commitment to apply for a Canada PR Visa within three months of applying for the Provisional Work Visa
The AIP provides an excellent immigration pathway for those who cannot obtain an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through the federal Express Entry Program. By applying through the AIP, these candidates can improve their chances of receiving a Canada PR Visa through this relatively easier immigration route.
What are the different programs under AIP?
The AIP has three immigration pathways designed for different categories of candidates:
Atlantic High-Skilled Program
This pathway is for skilled workers with professional, management, or technical job experience.
Job Offer Requirements
Applicants must have a job offer that meets the following criteria:
- Offered by an employer designated by the AIP in an Atlantic province
- Non-seasonal and full-time (minimum of 30 hours per week)
- Classified under skill level B, A, or 0
- Has a minimum duration of one year
- Made using the appropriate federal government form
The job offer does not need to be in the same occupation as the applicant’s previous work experience. However, candidates must meet the job requirements as specified in the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Work Experience Requirements
You must have been employed for at least 1 year (30 hours per week, or a total of 1,560 hours) in the past 3 years. This can be full-time, part-time, or non-continuous, as long as it adds up to 1,560 hours.
The Work Exprience Must Be:
- In a single occupation, but can involve multiple employers
- Paid (unpaid internships or volunteer work do not count)
- At skill level B, A, or 0 under the National Occupational Classification (NOC)
- Acquired either in Canada or overseas
Education Requirements
Candidates must have:
- A Canadian degree, diploma, or certificate at the post-secondary or secondary level; OR
- A foreign certificate, diploma, degree, or apprenticeship/trade education credential
For foreign educational credentials, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is required to verify its validity and equivalence to a Canadian credential. The ECA must show that the education is comparable to a Canadian degree, diploma, or certificate at the post-secondary or secondary level. The ECA must be obtained within 5 years of the application date.
Language Requirements
Candidates have:
- Achieve a minimum score of CLB Level 4 on an English language proficiency test or NCLC (Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens) for French
- Complete a language test and meet the required skill levels in writing, reading, listening, and speaking
- Obtain test results within 2 years of the application date
Proof Funds:
Applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their family members upon immigrating to Canada. The required amount of funds is based on the family size, including non-immigrating family members supported by the applicant.
Proof of funds is not necessary if the candidate is already residing and working in Canada with a valid work visa.
AIPP: Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program
Intermediate-Skilled Program
The Intermediate-Skilled Program of the AIPP is for candidates seeking jobs that require job-specific training and/or a high school education.
Job Offer Requirements
Applicants must have a job offer that meets the following criteria:
- Offered by an employer designated by the AIP in an Atlantic province
- Non-seasonal and full-time (minimum of 30 hours per week)
- Classified under skill level B, A, or 0
- Permanent
- Made using the appropriate federal government form
The job offer does not need to be in the same occupation as the applicant’s previous work experience. However, candidates must meet the job requirements as specified in the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Work Experience
Work Experience Requirements
The work experience must be:
- In a single occupation, but can involve multiple employers
- Paid (unpaid internships or volunteer work do not count)
- At skill level C under the National Occupational Classification (NOC)
- Acquired either in Canada or overseas
Education Requirements
Candidates must have:
- A Canadian degree, diploma, or certificate at the post-secondary or secondary level; OR
- A foreign certificate, diploma, degree, or apprenticeship/trade education credential
For foreign educational credentials, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is required to verify its validity and equivalence to a Canadian credential. The ECA must show that the education is comparable to a Canadian degree, diploma, or certificate at the post-secondary or secondary level. The ECA must be obtained within 5 years of the application date.
Language
Language Requirements
Candidates must:
- Achieve a minimum score of CLB Level 4 on an English language proficiency test or NCLC (Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens) for French
- Complete a language test and meet the required skill levels in writing, reading, listening, and speaking
- Obtain test results within 2 years of the application date
Proof of Funds
Applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their family members upon immigrating to Canada. The required amount of funds is based on the family size, including non-immigrating family members supported by the applicant.
AIPP: Atlantic International Graduate Program
International Graduate Program
The International Graduate Program of the AIPP is designed for candidates who have obtained a diploma, degree, or other educational credentials from a publicly funded institution in an Atlantic province.
Job Offer Requirements
Applicants must have a job offer that meets the following criteria:
- Offered by an employer designated by the AIP in an Atlantic province
- Non-seasonal and full-time (minimum of 30 hours per week)
- Classified under skill level B, A, or 0
- Permanent
- Made using the appropriate federal government form
The job offer does not need to be in the same occupation as the applicant’s previous work experience. However, candidates must meet the job requirements as specified in the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Work Experience
Candidates are not required to have prior work experience
- Education
- Education Requirements
Candidates must have:
- At least a 2-year certificate, diploma, degree, apprenticeship, or trade education obtained from a recognized, publicly funded institution in an Atlantic province
- Been a full-time student in Canada for a minimum of 2 years
- Graduated within the past 24 months before the application date
- Resided in one of the Atlantic provinces for at least 16 months in the 24 months before graduation
- Held a permit or visa to train, study, or work in Canada
Ineligibility Criteria
A candidate becomes ineligible to apply if:
- More than 50% of their program involved French or English second language courses
- More than 50% of their program was completed through distance learning
- Their training or study includes a fellowship or scholarship that requires them to return to their home country upon graduation
Language
Candidates must:
- Achieve a minimum score of CLB Level 4 on an English language proficiency test or NCLC (Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens) for French
- Complete a language test and meet the required skill levels in writing, reading, listening, and speaking
- Obtain the test results within 2 years of the application date
Proof Of Funds:
Applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their family members upon immigrating to Canada. The required amount of funds is based on the family size, including non-immigrating family members supported by the applicant.
Proof of funds is not required if the candidate is already residing and working in Canada with a valid work visa.
What is a Settlement Plan?
Candidates applying for immigration to Canada through any of the three pathways under the Atlantic Immigration Program must develop a Settlement Plan upon receiving a job offer. This plan is designed to facilitate their integration into Canada by addressing specific needs for both the candidates and their families. Candidates will also receive information about community assistance points that they can reach out to.
To endorse the Settlement Plan, candidates will work with a Settlement Service Provider, which can be chosen with guidance from their employer. The Service Provider will assess the needs of the candidate and their family members through phone, in-person, or online interactions. Subsequently, the candidate will receive a personalized Settlement Plan from the Service Provider.
What do you mean by a Provincial Endorsement?
Every job offer extended through the AIPP requires provincial endorsement. The employer handles the endorsement application process after the candidate receives the Settlement Plan.
Candidates should refrain from applying for a Canada PR Visa until they have obtained the Endorsement Certificate, which must be included with their application.
FAQ's regarding Canada atlantic immigration program
You can be either –
- Living abroad, or
- Already be in Canada as a temporary resident.
There is no particular age limit for AIP Canada. However, candidates who are between the ranges of 18-35 years have more of a chance to immigrate to Canada. It is because they are considered perfect for the required skilled jobs. Also, applicants till the age of 50 can apply to gain permanent residency.
If eligible, you can take the AIP route to Canada PR and settle within any of the Canadian provinces that make up Atlantic Canada –
To qualify for this temporary work permit, the skilled immigrants will need a valid job offer.
OUR MEDIA MENTIONS