Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a Canadian immigration program designed to attract and retain skilled immigrants and international graduates to the Atlantic provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, & Newfoundland and Labrador.

The program was launched in 2017 as a three-year pilot project and has since been extended to 2021. The AIP is a partnership between the federal government of Canada and the four Atlantic provinces, and it aims to address the labour market needs of the region and support its economic growth by increasing immigration.

Under the AIP, eligible immigrants can apply for permanent residency in Canada through one of three categories:

1. Atlantic High-Skilled Program: For individuals with a job offer for a high-skilled position (National Occupational Classification skill level 0, A, or B) in one of the Atlantic provinces.
2. Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program: For individuals with a job offer for an intermediate-skilled position (National Occupational Classification skill level C) in one of the Atlantic provinces.
3. Atlantic International Graduate Program: For individuals who have graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in the Atlantic provinces and have a job offer for a high-skilled position (National Occupational Classification skill level 0, A, or B) in one of the Atlantic provinces.

To be eligible for the AIP, applicants must meet certain requirements, such as language proficiency, education, work experience, and settlement funds. The program also provides support services to help newcomers settle and integrate into their new communities.

All individual AIP pathways closed on December 31, 2021, as the pilot bilateral agreements expired.

Who can apply under Canada’s Atlantic Immigration Program?

Under Canada’s Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), there are three categories of individuals who can apply for permanent residency in Canada:

• Atlantic High-Skilled Program: This category is for individuals with a job offer for a high-skilled position (National Occupational Classification skill level 0, A, or B) in one of the Atlantic provinces. To be eligible, applicants must have a minimum of one year of work experience related to their job offer, meet the language proficiency requirements in either English or French, and have enough settlement funds to support themselves and their family members.
• Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program: This category is for individuals with a job offer for an intermediate-skilled position (National Occupational Classification skill level C) in one of the Atlantic provinces. To be eligible, applicants must have a minimum of one year of work experience related to their job offer, meet the language proficiency requirements in either English or French, and have enough settlement funds to support themselves and their family members.
• Atlantic International Graduate Program: This category is for individuals who have graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in the Atlantic provinces and have a job offer for a high-skilled position (National Occupational Classification skill level 0, A, or B) in one of the Atlantic provinces. To be eligible, applicants must have completed a minimum two-year program of study, obtained a degree, diploma, or certificate, and meet the language proficiency requirements in either English or French. They must also have enough settlement funds to support themselves and their family members.

In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements for one of the above categories, applicants must also meet other requirements, such as passing medical and security checks and having no inadmissibility issues.

When applying for the AIP, is it necessary to be in Canada?

No, you do not have to be in Canada when applying for the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). The application process for AIP is done outside of Canada, and you can apply from your home country or from any other country where you are currently residing.

However, if you are approved for permanent residency under the AIP, you will be required to enter Canada as a permanent resident within a specified period of time, usually within six months of receiving your permanent resident visa. Once you arrive in Canada, you will be able to begin the process of settling in and establishing yourself in one of the Atlantic provinces.

It is important to note that, during the application process, you will need to provide a mailing address in one of the Atlantic provinces, as this is where your permanent resident card will be mailed once your application is approved. If you do not have an address in one of the Atlantic provinces, you may need to arrange for a friend or family member to receive your card on your behalf.

Can I get Canadian permanent residence by AIP?

As long as you meet the eligibility requirements, you can take the AIP route to Canada PR and settle in any of the Atlantic Canadian provinces –

1. Newfoundland and Labrador,
2. Nova Scotia,
3. New Brunswick, or
4. Prince Edward Island.

As an international student or skilled worker, you can immigrate to Atlantic Canada through the AIP.

Eligibility for the Atlantic Immigration Program

To be eligible for the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Eligible Occupation: You must have a job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces in a high-skilled (NOC Skill level O, A, or B) or intermediate-skilled (NOC Skill level C) occupation. The list of designated employers and eligible occupations can vary by province.
• Education: You must have a Canadian high school diploma or an equivalent foreign credential as assessed by a designated organization. For the International Graduate Program, you must have completed a full-time program of at least two years from a recognized post-secondary institution in the Atlantic region.
• Work Experience: You must have at least one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) work experience in the occupation for which you have a job offer.
• Language Proficiency: You must meet the minimum language proficiency requirements in either English or French for your occupation. You may need to take a language test such as IELTS or CELPIP to demonstrate your proficiency.
• Settlement Funds: You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family members when you arrive in Canada. The amount of funds required depends on the number of family members and is determined by the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for the Atlantic region.
• Intent to Reside: You must demonstrate your intention to settle in one of the Atlantic provinces and to live and work in that province.
• Admissibility: You must not be inadmissible to Canada due to criminality, medical or security reasons, or other grounds of inadmissibility.

Having met the eligibility requirements does not guarantee approval of your application. The AIP is a competitive program, and the number of applications accepted is limited. Your application will be assessed based on several factors, including your education, work experience, language proficiency, and other criteria, as well as the availability of spaces under the program.

Does the AIP job offer requirement apply to everyone?

Yes, to be eligible for the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), you need a job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces. The job offer must be for a high-skilled (National Occupational Classification Skill level 0, A, or B) or intermediate-skilled (National Occupational Classification Skill level C) occupation. The designated employers and eligible occupations can vary by province.

Having a job offer from a designated employer is a key eligibility requirement for the AIP. This is because the program is designed to address the labour market needs of the Atlantic provinces and to encourage employers to recruit and retain foreign workers to fill labour shortages in the region.

If you do not have a job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces, you may want to explore other immigration programs that do not require a job offer, such as the Express Entry program or the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) offered by other Canadian provinces. However, it is important to note that these programs may have different eligibility criteria and may be more competitive than the AIP.

Does the AIP work experience requirement apply to everyone?

Under certain circumstances, some applicants may be exempted from the work experience requirement for the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). The following are the situations where an exemption may apply:

1. International Graduates: International graduates who have completed a full-time program of at least two years from a recognized post-secondary institution in the Atlantic region are exempt from the work experience requirement. However, they must meet all other eligibility requirements of the AIP, including having a job offer from a designated employer in the Atlantic region.
2. Highly Skilled Workers: Applicants who have a job offer from a designated employer in the Atlantic region for a high-skilled (National Occupational Classification Skill level 0 or A) occupation are exempt from the work experience requirement if they meet all other eligibility criteria.
3. Spouses or Common-law Partners: Spouses or common-law partners of eligible principal applicants who are also applying for permanent residence through the AIP are exempt from the work experience requirement if they have a valid work permit and are currently working for a designated employer in the Atlantic region.
4. Essential Workers: Essential workers who are currently working in the Atlantic region in a designated essential occupation may be exempt from the work experience requirement. The list of designated essential occupations can vary by province.

It is important to note that meeting the exemption criteria does not guarantee that your application will be approved. Your application will be assessed based on several factors, including your education, language proficiency, and other criteria, as well as the availability of spaces under the program.

Documentation for the Atlantic Immigration Program

To apply for the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), you will need to provide several documents to support your application. The specific documents required may vary depending on your individual circumstances, but typically, you will need to provide the following:

1. Language Test Results: You will need to provide the results of an approved language test to demonstrate your proficiency in English or French. At the time of application, the language test results must be less than two years old.
2. Education Credentials: You will need to provide proof of your education credentials, such as a high school diploma or a post-secondary degree or diploma. If you completed your education outside of Canada, you will also need to provide an assessment of your credentials by a designated organization.
3. Work Experience: You will need to provide documentation of your work experience, such as employment letters, pay stubs, and tax documents. If you are exempt from the work experience requirement, you will need to provide documentation to support your exemption.
4. Job Offer: You will need to provide a copy of your job offer from a designated employer in the Atlantic region. The job offer must meet the requirements of the AIP and be for a high-skilled or intermediate-skilled occupation.
5. Settlement Funds: You will need to provide documentation to show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family members when you arrive in Canada. The amount of funds required depends on the number of family members and is determined by the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for the Atlantic region.
6. Other Documents: Depending on your individual circumstances, you may also need to provide additional documents, such as police certificates, medical exams, and proof of your relationship to your family members.

Additional documents :

• Proof of experience (if needed)
• Marriage license (if needed)

It is important to ensure that all of your documents are complete, accurate, and up-to-date. Any missing or incomplete information can delay the processing of your application or even lead to a refusal. It is recommended to seek the guidance of an immigration lawyer or a regulated immigration consultant to help you with your application.

Application Process for the Atlantic Immigration Program

The application process for the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) generally involves the following steps:

• Determine Your Eligibility: Before you apply for the AIP, you should determine whether you meet the eligibility requirements, including having a job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces and meeting the language and education requirements.
• Obtain Required Documents: You will need to gather all the required documents to support your application, including language test results, education credentials, work experience documentation, job offer, settlement funds, and other documents as required.
• Submit Your Application: You can submit your application online through the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. You will need to pay the application fee and upload all the required documents. Make sure to review your application carefully before submitting it to avoid any errors or omissions.
• Wait for a Decision: After submitting your application, you will need to wait for a decision. Processing times can vary depending on the volume of applications and the completeness of your application. You may be required to attend an interview or provide additional information or documents to support your application.
• Receive a Decision: Once a decision has been made on your application, you will receive a letter from IRCC informing you of the decision. If your application is approved, you will be issued a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document, which you will need to present to an immigration officer when you arrive in Canada.
• Prepare for Arrival: Before you leave for Canada, you will need to prepare for your arrival, including making travel arrangements, arranging for temporary housing, and ensuring that you have sufficient settlement funds to support yourself and your family members.

It is important to note that the AIP is a highly competitive immigration program, and meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee that your application will be approved. It is recommended to seek the guidance of an immigration lawyer or a regulated immigration consultant to help you with your application.

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