On This Page, You Will Find:
- What the Atlantic Immigration Program is
- Who can apply for the Atlantic Immigration Program
- Job offer requirements
- Work experience rules and graduate exemptions
- Education, language and proof of funds requirements
- How to get a settlement plan
- How provincial endorsement works
- How to apply for permanent residence
- Optional temporary work permit rules
- What happens after you apply
- Atlantic Immigration Program FAQ
The Atlantic Immigration Program is a pathway to Canadian permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates who want to live and work in Atlantic Canada.
The program covers Canada’s four Atlantic provinces:
The Atlantic Immigration Program helps designated employers hire foreign workers and international graduates for jobs they cannot fill locally. To apply, candidates need a valid job offer from a designated employer, a settlement plan and provincial endorsement before they submit their permanent residence application.
Employers are exempted from needing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Nevertheless, certain conditions must be complied with to hire through the Atlantic Immigration Program.
What Is The Atlantic Immigration Program?
The Atlantic Immigration Program, also known as the AIP, is a federal immigration program designed to attract skilled workers and international graduates to Atlantic Canada.
It gives employers in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island a way to hire foreign nationals when they cannot find workers locally.
Unlike Express Entry, the Atlantic Immigration Program depends heavily on employer participation. Candidates cannot apply without a valid job offer from a designated Atlantic employer.
The program also includes a settlement plan. This helps newcomers and their families prepare for life in Atlantic Canada before they apply for permanent residence.
Who Can Apply For The Atlantic Immigration Program?
You may qualify for the Atlantic Immigration Program if you:
- Have a valid job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada
- Have qualifying work experience, unless you qualify as a recent international graduate from Atlantic Canada
- Meet the education requirement for the job
- Prove your language ability through an approved language test
- Have enough settlement funds, unless you are already living and working in Canada with a valid work permit
- Receive a settlement plan
- Receive confirmation of provincial endorsement
The program accepts applications from candidates living outside Canada and from temporary residents already in Canada.
Atlantic Immigration Program Job Offer Requirements
A job offer is the central requirement under the Atlantic Immigration Program. The offer must come from an employer designated by one of the four Atlantic provinces.
The job offer must be:
- Full-time, meaning at least 30 hours per week
- Non-seasonal
- Paid and available throughout the year
- For a job you can perform and are likely to accept
- From a designated Atlantic employer
- Supported by provincial endorsement
For TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 jobs, the offer must last for at least one year from the date you become a permanent resident. For TEER 4 jobs, the offer must be permanent, with no set end date.
The job offer cannot come from a company where you or your spouse or common-law partner are majority owners.
Designated Employers In Atlantic Canada
Only designated employers can hire candidates through the Atlantic Immigration Program.
Each Atlantic province manages its own employer designation process. Employer designation does not guarantee that a candidate will receive permanent residence. The candidate must still meet all federal immigration requirements and receive provincial endorsement.
Work Experience Requirements
Most candidates need qualifying work experience to apply under the Atlantic Immigration Program.
You should have worked for a minimum of 1,560 hours (which has to be within the last five years) in a NOC (National Occupational Classification) TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 occupation.
Your work experience must match the skill level required for the job offer. The job offer must generally be at the same or a higher skill level than your previous work experience.
| Job offer TEER | Required work experience |
|---|---|
| TEER 0 | TEER 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 |
| TEER 1 | TEER 1, 2, 3 or 4 |
| TEER 2 | TEER 2, 3 or 4 |
| TEER 3 | TEER 3 or 4 |
| TEER 4 | TEER 4 |
You must also make sure you meet the employment requirements listed under the job’s NOC code.
International Graduate Exemption
You do not need qualifying work experience if you recently graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada.
To use this exemption, you must show that you studied at an eligible institution and lived in an Atlantic province for at least 16 months during the 24 months before receiving your credential.
You may need to provide documents such as:
- A study permit
- Rental or lease agreements
- Utility bills
- Phone bills
- Bank statements showing transactions in an Atlantic province
- Passport pages showing your legal status in Canada
This exemption makes the Atlantic Immigration Program an important option for international students who graduate in Atlantic Canada and want to stay permanently.
Health Care Worker Exemption
The Atlantic Immigration Program includes a useful rule for some health care workers.
Work experience as a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse may support a job offer in certain related health care roles, including:
- Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
- Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations
This gives some health care workers more flexibility when moving from nursing experience into in-demand support roles in Atlantic Canada.
Education Requirements
You must have the right level of education for the job you are offered.
- For NOC TEER 0 or 1 job offers, you need a Canadian one-year post-secondary credential or foreign equivalent.
- For NOC TEER 2, 3, or 4 jobs, you need a Canadian high school diploma or its foreign equivalent.
If you studied outside Canada, you may need an educational credential assessment to show that your foreign education is equivalent to a Canadian credential.
Your education documents must support your application and match the level required for your job offer.
Language Requirements
You must prove your language ability in English or French by taking an approved language test.
Your required language level depends on the job you are offered. You must include valid language test results with your permanent residence application. Language results must be less than two years old when you apply. If your test results expire before submission, you may need to take a new test.
The minimum score required depends on the category of your job offer:
- CLB 5 for a job offer in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3
- CLB 4 for a job offer in TEER 4
Proof Of Funds
You must show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada.
The amount depends on your family size. You must include yourself, your spouse or common-law partner, your dependent children and your spouse or partner’s dependent children, even if they are not coming with you.
| Number of family members | Funds you need (in Canadian dollars) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $3,815 |
| 2 | $4,750 |
| 3 | $5,840 |
| 4 | $7,090 |
| 5 | $8,042 |
| 6 | $9,070 |
| 7 | $10,098 |
| If more than 7 people, for each additional family member, add | $1,028 |
You do not need to show proof of funds if you are already living and working in Canada with a valid work permit.
Your funds must be available when you apply and when Canada issues your permanent resident visa. You cannot use borrowed money or real estate equity as proof of settlement funds.
Settlement, Endorsement & How to Apply
Settlement Plan Requirement
After you receive a job offer from a designated employer, you must get a settlement plan.
A settlement plan helps you and your family prepare for life in Atlantic Canada. It can include referrals and information on:
- Housing
- Employment support
- Language training
- Schools
- Health care
- Community services
- Life in your new province
Your employer may suggest a settlement service provider, or you may choose one from the approved list. Candidates can choose from organizations outside Canada (pre-arrival services) or organizations within Canada.
Provincial Endorsement
After you receive your settlement plan, the province must endorse your job offer.
Your employer handles the endorsement process with the province. If the province endorses the job offer, you will receive a confirmation of provincial endorsement. You must include this confirmation when you apply for permanent residence.
Provincial endorsement is a key step. Without it, you cannot complete your Atlantic Immigration Program permanent residence application.
Documents Needed For Permanent Residence
You must apply online through the Permanent Residence Portal and include the required forms and supporting documents. Common documents include a completed document checklist, the Economic Classes – Atlantic Immigration Program form, the offer of employment form, proof of education, language test results, proof of funds (if required), proof of work experience (unless exempt), your settlement plan, confirmation of provincial endorsement, passports, civil-status certificates and police certificates. If your documents are not in English or French, you must provide certified translations.
How To Apply For Permanent Residence
Once you have your job offer, settlement plan and provincial endorsement, you can submit your permanent residence application online. Before you apply, make sure you complete all required forms, answer all questions truthfully, upload all supporting documents, sign forms where required, pay the required fees and check that your application is complete. If your application is incomplete, IRCC may return it and you would need to correct the errors and resubmit.
Atlantic Immigration Program Fees
You must pay the required government fees online. At the time of writing, the fees were listed at $1,590, but this amount is subject to change. These may include processing fees for you and any accompanying family members, the right of permanent residence fee, the biometrics fee, and third-party costs such as medical exams, police certificates, language tests and educational credential assessments. Keep proof of payment and include the required receipts with your application.
Optional Temporary Work Permit
Some Atlantic Immigration Program candidates may apply for a temporary work permit while their permanent residence application is being processed. This work permit is only for the Atlantic Immigration Program, is valid for up to two years, and allows you to work only for the employer who offered you the job. It does not guarantee permanent residence approval.
To qualify, you need a job offer from a designated employer, a referral letter from the Atlantic province where you will work, and proof that you meet the language, education and work experience requirements (unless exempt as an international graduate). Your spouse or common-law partner may also be able to apply for an open work permit.
After You Apply
After you submit your permanent residence application, IRCC will review it for completeness. If the application is complete, IRCC will issue an acknowledgement of receipt and a file number, and an officer will assess whether you meet the eligibility and admissibility requirements. You may also need to give biometrics, complete a medical exam, provide police certificates, and keep IRCC updated on any changes to your contact information or family situation. If IRCC approves your application, you must pay any outstanding right of permanent residence fee before final approval.
Why Choose The Atlantic Immigration Program?
The Atlantic Immigration Program can be a strong pathway for candidates who have a genuine job offer in Atlantic Canada. It is especially useful for skilled workers with employer support, international graduates from Atlantic Canada, health care workers, candidates with job offers outside Canada’s largest cities, and families who want to settle in smaller communities. The program also supports long-term settlement by requiring a settlement plan before permanent residence.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Candidates should avoid these common Atlantic Immigration Program mistakes:
- Accepting a job offer from an employer that is not designated
- Applying without provincial endorsement
- Forgetting to include the settlement plan
- Submitting expired language test results
- Failing to prove required work experience
- Assuming a work permit guarantees permanent residence
- Using borrowed money as proof of funds
- Providing incomplete travel, identity or civil status documents
- Failing to maintain legal status in Canada while waiting
- Missing IRCC document requests or deadlines
Atlantic Immigration Program News
Atlantic Canada Immigration FAQ
What is the Atlantic Immigration Program?
The Atlantic Immigration Program is a permanent residence pathway for skilled foreign workers and international graduates who want to live and work in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island. Candidates need a job offer from a designated employer and must meet federal immigration requirements before applying.
Which provinces participate in the Atlantic Immigration Program?
The four participating provinces are New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Each province designates employers and endorses eligible job offers. Candidates must intend to live and work in the province connected to their job offer and endorsement.
Do I need a job offer for the Atlantic Immigration Program?
Yes. You need a valid job offer from a designated employer in one of Canada's four Atlantic provinces. The job must be full-time, non-seasonal and meet program requirements. You cannot apply directly to the Atlantic Immigration Program without an eligible job offer and provincial endorsement.
What is a designated employer?
A designated employer is an employer approved by an Atlantic province to hire workers through the Atlantic Immigration Program. Designation allows the employer to support eligible candidates, but it does not guarantee permanent residence. The candidate must still meet IRCC requirements and receive provincial endorsement.
Do international graduates need work experience?
Some recent international graduates from recognized post-secondary institutions in Atlantic Canada do not need qualifying work experience. They must still meet other requirements, including job offer, education, language, settlement plan and endorsement rules, and prove they lived in an Atlantic province for the required period before graduation.
What is a settlement plan?
A settlement plan is a personalized plan that helps you and your family prepare for life in Atlantic Canada. It may include referrals for housing, schools, language training, employment support and community services. You must get a settlement plan after receiving a job offer and before applying for permanent residence.
What is provincial endorsement?
Provincial endorsement means the Atlantic province has reviewed and supported your job offer under the Atlantic Immigration Program. Your employer applies for endorsement after you receive a settlement plan. If approved, you receive confirmation of provincial endorsement, which you must include in your permanent residence application.
Can I apply for a work permit while waiting for permanent residence?
Yes, some candidates may apply for a temporary work permit while their permanent residence application is being processed. The work permit is employer-specific, valid for up to two years and only available for the Atlantic Immigration Program. It does not guarantee permanent residence approval.
Do I need proof of funds?
You need proof of funds unless you are already living and working in Canada with a valid work permit. The required amount depends on your family size. Funds must be available when you apply and when Canada issues your permanent resident visa. Borrowed money and real estate equity do not qualify.
Can my spouse work in Canada?
Your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible to apply for an open work permit if you qualify for an Atlantic Immigration Program temporary work permit. An open work permit can allow your spouse or partner to work for most employers in Canada while your permanent residence application is processed.