July 12, 2018 – Canada Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen has announced 500 extra spaces for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot for 2018.
The increase is a response to the growing success of the program, designed to boost skilled worker immigration in the Atlantic region.
“Happy to announce an increase of 500 spaces to keep up with demand,” Hussen wrote on Twitter.
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Following the increase, the AIP now has a 2018 allocation of 2,500 spaces for new immigrants spread across Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
The increase comes after 1,800 skilled workers and international graduates were endorsed for the program this year, against an annual target of 2,000.
What Is The Atlantic Immigration Pilot?
Canada’s Atlantic Immigration Pilot includes programs for high-skilled and intermediate-skilled workers, plus international graduates. The programs are specifically for immigrants who want to permanently settle in New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Following a slow start for the AIP after it was launched in 2017, the federal immigration levels plan gave a 2018 allocation of 1,000 for the program.
But the growing success means more than double the forecast number could now arrive.
Officials are hoping the program will grow to welcome 4,000 new immigrants a year by 2020.
The program is providing important assistance to the provinces, which are at the sharp end of Canada’s aging population and shrinking labour force.
What Is The Immigration Levels Plan For The Atlantic Immigration Pilot?
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| 1,000 | 2,000 | 4,000 |
Through AIP, employers are able to bring in skilled workers and international graduates to fill specific positions.
In turn, candidates receive help to integrate through the drawing up of a Settlement Plan.
Each person brought in under the program must also receive a provincial endorsement.
The added layers are designed to ensure candidates for the AIP are retained in the provinces they move to.
Retention is a problem for Atlantic Canada, with immigrants often moving there through provincial programs but choosing to settle elsewhere.
What Are The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Programs?
- Atlantic High-Skilled Program
- Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program
- Atlantic International Graduate Program
What Are The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Work Experience Requirements?
Skilled Workers
You must have worked for at least one year (1,560 hours total or 30 hours per week) within the last three years. It can be full-time, non-continuous, or part-time, as long as it adds up to 1,560 hours.
The work must be:
- In one occupation (but can be with different employers)
- Paid (volunteering or unpaid internships do not count)
- At skill type/level 0, A, B, or C of the National Occupational Classification (NOC)
- Under the Atlantic High-Skilled Program, workers need one year of experience at skill type/level 0, A, or B.
- Under the Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program, workers need one year of experience to be at the skill level C.
- The experience can be gained inside or outside Canada.
International Graduates
Candidates do not need work experience.
What Are The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Job Offer Requirements?
Under the high-skilled, intermediate-skilled and international graduate programs, candidates must have a job offer that is:
- From a designated employer in an Atlantic province.
- Non-seasonal.
- Reviewed by the province (See ‘Endorsement’ below)
Job offers for high-skilled workers must:
- Be skill type/level 0, A, or B
- Last at least one year
Job offers for intermediate-skilled workers must:
- Be skill type/level 0, A, B, or C
- Be indeterminate (permanent)
Job offers for international graduates must:
- Be skill type/level 0, A, B, or C
- Last at least one year
What Are The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Education Requirements?
Skilled Workers
Candidates must have:
- A Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree,
OR
- A foreign degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship education credential. Candidates need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to make sure it is valid and equal to a Canadian credential. The ECA must show your education is equal to a completed Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree. Your ECA must be less than five years old when you apply.
International Graduates
Candidates must have:
- A minimum two-year degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship credential from a recognized publicly-funded institution in an Atlantic province.
- Been a full-time student in Canada for at least two years.
- Graduated in the 12 months prior to the application date.
- Lived in one of the Atlantic provinces for at least 16 months in the last two years before graduation.
- Had a visa or permit to work, study or train in Canada.
What Is The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Settlement Plan?
A candidate must have a needs assessment before immigrating. After the assessment, a candidate will get a plan with information about the community they are moving to and where they can get help after arrival. To find out about the needs assessment, click here.
What Is The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Endorsement?
Employers must complete an Endorsement Application for each candidate able to fill an existing vacancy.
Candidates cannot apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada without an endorsement., which includes details of the job offer and settlement plan.
Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.
Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.
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