The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a Canadian immigration program designed to help employers in Canada’s Atlantic provinces—Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick—hire skilled workers and international graduates to fill labor shortages and help grow the economy. This program facilitates the immigration of qualified individuals who wish to live and work in one of these provinces.

The program is aimed at attracting talent from abroad to support the regional economy by providing a pathway to permanent residency in Canada.

1. Who is Eligible for the Atlantic Immigration Program?

The Atlantic Immigration Program has three main streams:

A. Atlantic High-Skilled Program

This stream is for workers who have at least one year of work experience in a managerial, professional, or technical job, and who have a job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Job Offer: A full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated employer in the Atlantic provinces.
• Work Experience: You need at least one year of work experience in a high-skilled occupation (National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level 0, A, or B).
• Education: At least a high school diploma or the equivalent in your home country.
• Language Proficiency: Prove your language proficiency in either English or French through an approved language test (e.g., IELTS for English).
• Settlement Funds: Proof of funds to support yourself and your family when you arrive in Canada.

B. Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program

This stream is designed for workers who have at least one year of work experience in an intermediate-skilled job and have a job offer from a designated employer in an Atlantic province.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Job Offer: A full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated employer in the Atlantic provinces.
• Work Experience: At least one year of work experience in a job at skill level C (e.g., trades or technical work).
• Education: At least a high school diploma or the equivalent.
• Language Proficiency: Proof of language proficiency in English or French through an approved language test (e.g., IELTS for English).
• Settlement Funds: Evidence of having enough funds to support your arrival and settlement in Canada.

C. Atlantic International Graduate Program

This stream is for international graduates who have completed at least two years of post-secondary education from a designated institution in one of the Atlantic provinces.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Job Offer: A full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated employer in an Atlantic province.
• Education: You must have graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the Atlantic provinces. The program must have been at least two years long.
• Language Proficiency: You must meet the minimum language requirements for your job offer and immigration stream.
• Work Experience: You don’t need work experience if you are applying under this stream, as long as you have completed the education requirements.
• Settlement Funds: You need to provide evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself and your family members during your stay in Canada.

2. Key Features of the Atlantic Immigration Program:

• Employer-Driven: One of the main features of the program is that it is employer-driven. To apply, you must first secure a job offer from an employer in one of the Atlantic provinces. Employers need to be designated by the provincial government to participate in the program.
• Job Offer from a Designated Employer: For all streams, having a job offer from an approved or designated employer is a requirement. The employer will also need to submit a settlement plan to ensure you and your family members will be successfully integrated into the community.
• Settlement Plan: As part of the application, employers must submit a Settlement Plan to help immigrants settle in the Atlantic region. This plan outlines how they will assist in your settlement and integration into Canadian society.
• No LMIA Required: A significant advantage of this program is that, unlike other work permits, applicants do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This makes the process easier and faster for both employers and applicants.
• Family Members: If you are approved for permanent residency under the Atlantic Immigration Program, you can also bring your spouse/common-law partner and dependent children with you to Canada.

3. Application Process for the Atlantic Immigration Program:

Step 1: Find a Designated Employer

• First, you need to find a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces (Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick). Employers must be approved by the provincial government to hire through the Atlantic Immigration Program.
• Once you secure a job offer, the employer will submit a Settlement Plan to the provincial government, and once accepted, you can proceed with your application.

Step 2: Apply for Permanent Residency

• After receiving a job offer and the employer’s settlement plan, you can apply for permanent residency through the Atlantic Immigration Program.
• You will need to submit your application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), providing the necessary documents like proof of your job offer, language proficiency, work experience, education, and settlement funds.

Step 3: Work Permit (if applicable)

• If you are currently in Canada but don’t have permanent residency status yet, you can apply for a temporary work permit while your permanent residency application is being processed. This allows you to work legally in Canada while waiting for a decision.

Step 4: Wait for Approval

• Processing times can vary depending on the stream you apply for, but you can generally expect the process to take a few months.

Step 5: Permanent Residency

• Once approved, you will receive your permanent residency status in Canada, allowing you to live, work, and settle in one of the Atlantic provinces.

4. Benefits of the Atlantic Immigration Program:

• No LMIA Required: Unlike many other immigration programs, this program does not require the employer to obtain an LMIA, which can be a time-consuming and expensive process.
• Focus on Regional Development: The program helps support economic development in the Atlantic provinces by addressing labor shortages in key sectors.
• Permanent Residency Pathway: Successful applicants receive permanent residency, which can eventually lead to Canadian citizenship.
• Family Inclusion: Spouses and dependent children can accompany the principal applicant to Canada.

5. Additional Notes:

• Language Requirements: For most streams, you will need to meet language requirements through an official language test. The minimum score required varies depending on the stream and the job offer.
• Work Experience: Experience in specific occupations may be required for some streams. For instance, the High-Skilled Program requires at least one year of work experience in a managerial, professional, or technical job, while the Intermediate-Skilled Program requires experience in occupations categorized at NOC skill level C.
• Program Duration: The program is designed to help the Atlantic provinces address their labor needs. It is not limited by time, and as long as there is a demand for skilled workers, the program will continue.

Key Takeaways:

• The Atlantic Immigration Program is aimed at attracting skilled workers and international graduates to Canada’s Atlantic provinces.
• The program is employer-driven, so applicants must secure a job offer from a designated employer in one of the four Atlantic provinces.
• There are three streams under the program: Atlantic High-Skilled, Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled, and Atlantic International Graduate.
• No LMIA is required for employers, and applicants can bring their families with them to Canada.
• The program provides a pathway to permanent residency and helps support the regional economy in Atlantic Canada.

If you have specific questions about your eligibility or need assistance with the application process for the Atlantic Immigration Program, feel free to ask!