Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): Your Guide to Immigrating to Canada's Atlantic Provinces

Canada's Atlantic region, comprising New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, has been actively working to attract newcomers to address labour shortages and counter population decline. The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a unique, employer-driven immigration pathway that helps these four provinces recruit skilled workers and international graduates to fill critical gaps in their labour markets.

Originally launched as a pilot in 2017, the AIP became a permanent program in January 2022, reflecting its success in bringing newcomers to the Atlantic region. This guide covers everything you need to know about the AIP, including how it works, who is eligible, and how to apply.

Official information about the AIP is available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/atlantic-immigration.html.

How the Atlantic Immigration Program Works

The AIP is fundamentally different from most Provincial Nominee Programs because it is employer-driven. This means your pathway to permanent residency begins with an employer in one of the four Atlantic provinces, not with a provincial government application.

Here is how the process works at a high level:

1. An Atlantic employer becomes designated under the AIP
2. The employer offers you a job
3. You receive a provincial endorsement from the province where you will work
4. You apply for permanent residency through IRCC

The AIP was designed to be faster and more streamlined than traditional PNPs, with simplified processes for both employers and applicants.

The Four Atlantic Provinces

New Brunswick

New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province, with significant English and French-speaking communities. Key industries include forestry, agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing, and a growing technology sector. The province is actively seeking workers in healthcare, skilled trades, information technology, and transportation.

Population centres include Fredericton (the capital), Saint John, and Moncton. New Brunswick offers an affordable cost of living relative to larger Canadian cities.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia, with its capital Halifax, is the largest of the Atlantic provinces by population. The economy is driven by ocean technology, financial services, information technology, agriculture, and tourism. Halifax has a vibrant startup ecosystem and is home to several major universities.

Nova Scotia has been one of the most active Atlantic provinces in using the AIP and other immigration programs to attract workers, particularly in healthcare, skilled trades, and technology.

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island (PEI) is Canada's smallest province, known for its agriculture (particularly potatoes), fisheries, and tourism. Despite its small size, PEI has significant labour needs, especially in food processing, healthcare, and hospitality.

PEI offers a close-knit community atmosphere and some of the most affordable housing in Canada.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador is known for its natural resources, including offshore oil and gas, mining, and fisheries. The province also has a growing technology sector and needs workers in healthcare, skilled trades, and natural resource industries.

St. John's, the capital, is the most easterly city in North America and offers a unique cultural experience.

Who Can Apply: Eligibility Requirements

The AIP has three categories of eligible applicants:

Category 1: Skilled Workers (High-Skilled Positions)

For candidates with a job offer in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 1,560 hours (approximately one year full-time) of work experience in the last five years
• Work experience must be in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation
• Work experience can be gained in or outside Canada
• Part-time work counts as long as it totals 1,560 hours

Education:

• Minimum of a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent foreign credential assessed through an ECA

Language:

• Minimum CLB 5 in English or French in all four abilities

Category 2: Skilled Workers (Intermediate Positions)

For candidates with a job offer in a TEER 4 occupation (such as certain healthcare, food service, or manufacturing roles).

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 1,560 hours (approximately one year full-time) of work experience in the last five years
• Work experience must be in a TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 occupation
• Can be gained in or outside Canada

Education:

• Minimum of a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent through ECA

Language:

• Minimum CLB 4 in English or French in all four abilities

Category 3: International Graduates

For recent graduates of eligible Atlantic Canadian post-secondary institutions.

Education:

• Completed a post-secondary program of at least two years at a publicly funded institution in one of the four Atlantic provinces
• Must have been a full-time student for the entire duration of the program
• Must have held valid study permit during the program
• Must have completed the program within the last two years
• At least half of the program was completed while physically present in the Atlantic province

Language:

• Minimum CLB 5 in English or French in all four abilities

Work Experience:

• No work experience is required for international graduates (a significant advantage over the other categories)

Designated Employer Requirements

A cornerstone of the AIP is the designated employer system. Employers must apply to the province to become designated before they can offer jobs under the program.

What Employers Must Do

1. Apply for designation: The employer submits an application to the provincial government demonstrating that they need to hire a foreign worker and have been unable to fill the position locally.

2. Demonstrate commitment to retention: Designated employers must commit to supporting newcomers in their settlement and integration, including helping them access settlement services, community resources, and mentoring.

3. Meet workplace standards: Employers must be in good standing with provincial labour standards and workplace safety regulations.

4. Work with settlement agencies: Designated employers must connect newcomers with a designated settlement service provider organization.

Finding Designated Employers

There is no public directory of designated employers under the AIP. To find AIP opportunities, you should:

• Search job boards such as the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency job portal, Indeed, and provincial job banks
• Look for job postings that specifically mention the Atlantic Immigration Program
• Connect with settlement agencies in the Atlantic provinces that may know of designated employers
• Attend job fairs and recruitment events organized by Atlantic provinces (both in-person and virtual)

The Settlement Plan Requirement

One of the AIP's distinctive features is the mandatory settlement plan. Before you apply for permanent residency, you must work with a designated settlement service provider organization to create a personalized settlement plan.

What the Settlement Plan Includes

• An assessment of your settlement needs (housing, language training, employment, community connections)
• A plan for how you will address these needs once you arrive in the Atlantic province
• Information about available settlement services and community resources
• Connections to local support networks, including immigrant-serving organizations

Purpose of the Settlement Plan

The settlement plan is designed to ensure that newcomers to the Atlantic region have the support they need to successfully integrate into their new communities. It reflects the AIP's emphasis not just on filling jobs but on building sustainable communities.

The settlement plan must be completed before you submit your application for permanent residency, and proof of the completed plan is a required document.

Application Process Step by Step

Step 1: Get a Job Offer From a Designated Employer

The employer must hold a valid designation under the AIP and provide you with a full-time, non-seasonal job offer. The job must be for at least one year in duration and must meet the minimum wage requirements for the occupation and province.

Step 2: Receive a Provincial Endorsement

Once you have accepted a job offer, the province where you will work reviews your application for endorsement. The province verifies that the job offer is genuine, the employer is designated, and you meet the basic eligibility requirements. If approved, the province issues a Letter of Support (endorsement).

Processing times for provincial endorsement vary but typically range from one to three months.

Step 3: Complete Your Settlement Plan

Work with a designated settlement service provider to complete your personalized settlement plan. This can be done in person (if you are already in the province) or remotely.

Step 4: Apply for Permanent Residency

With your provincial endorsement and settlement plan in hand, submit your permanent residency application to IRCC. You apply online through the IRCC portal.

Step 5: Apply for a Temporary Work Permit (Optional)

While your permanent residency application is being processed, you may be eligible for a work permit that allows you to start working for your designated employer. IRCC offers an employer-specific work permit for AIP applicants, which can be processed on a priority basis.

Step 6: Wait for PR Processing

IRCC aims to process AIP permanent residency applications within 12 months. During this time, you may be asked to submit additional documents, complete a medical examination, or provide biometrics.

Step 7: Receive Your COPR

Once approved, you receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and, if applicable, a permanent resident visa.

Fees

• Provincial endorsement application fee: Varies by province (typically $0 to $300 CAD)
• Federal processing fee: $850 per adult, $230 per dependent child
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee: $515 per adult
• Biometrics: $85 per person
• Work permit fee (if applying for temporary work permit): $155 per person

Current fee information is available on the IRCC website.

Processing Times

• Provincial endorsement: 1 to 3 months
• Federal permanent residency application: Approximately 12 months (IRCC target)
• Temporary work permit (if applicable): 2 to 4 months

The AIP was designed to have faster processing times than traditional PNPs, and IRCC has generally maintained processing within or near the 12-month target.

Benefits of the Atlantic Immigration Program

No Express Entry profile required. Unlike many PNP streams, the AIP does not require candidates to be in the Express Entry pool. This makes it accessible to a broader range of applicants.

Lower language requirements. The minimum CLB 4 or 5 requirements are among the lowest of any Canadian immigration program leading to permanent residency.

No points-based ranking system. The AIP does not use a competitive scoring system. If you meet the eligibility requirements and have a valid job offer from a designated employer, you can apply.

Settlement support built in. The mandatory settlement plan ensures you have a plan for successful integration before you even arrive.

Path for international graduates. Graduates of Atlantic Canadian institutions can apply without any work experience, provided they have a job offer.

Growing communities. The Atlantic provinces offer affordable living, welcoming communities, and an opportunity to be part of a region that is actively growing and evolving.

Challenges to Consider

Finding a designated employer. Since the AIP is employer-driven, the biggest challenge is often finding a designated employer willing to offer you a job. This requires active job searching and networking.

Smaller job markets. The Atlantic provinces have smaller economies than Ontario or British Columbia, which means fewer job opportunities overall, particularly in specialized fields.

Climate and geography. Atlantic Canada has cold winters and, depending on the community, may be more remote. It is important to research the region thoroughly before committing.

Retention concerns. Provinces are attentive to whether AIP newcomers actually stay in the region. While there is no legal requirement to remain in the province after receiving permanent residency (since PR allows mobility across Canada), provinces track retention and may consider this in future program design.

Tips for Success

1. Start your job search early. Focus on employers in Atlantic Canada and look for job postings that mention the AIP or willingness to hire international workers.

2. Connect with settlement agencies. Organizations like the Association for New Canadians (Newfoundland), ISANS (Nova Scotia), MAGMA (New Brunswick), and PEI ANC can provide guidance and connections.

3. Consider studying in the Atlantic region. Completing a post-secondary program at an Atlantic institution qualifies you for the international graduate category without needing work experience.

4. Prepare a complete application. Missing documents or incomplete forms are the most common reasons for delays. Follow the IRCC checklist meticulously.

5. Research the specific province and community. Understanding the local economy, culture, and lifestyle will strengthen your settlement plan and help you make an informed decision about where to live.

Conclusion

The Atlantic Immigration Program is a distinctive and effective pathway to permanent residency in Canada, offering streamlined processing, lower requirements, and built-in settlement support for newcomers to the Atlantic region. While finding a designated employer is the primary challenge, candidates who successfully navigate the program gain access to growing communities, affordable living, and a welcoming environment in one of Canada's most beautiful regions.