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Atlantic Immigration Program
By : Lifeincan   |   Jul 30, 2024

Atlantic Immigration Program

Are you a skilled foreign worker or an international graduate looking for permanent residency in Canada? Or, are you an employer in search of qualified candidates unavailable locally? 

There’s a perfect solution for both cases- The Atlantic Immigration Program. 

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) opens up a pathway to permanent residence. This program provides a perfect opportunity for skilled foreign workers and international graduates from a Canadian institution. The aspirants must be willing to work and live in any of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces:

  • New Brunswick

  • Nova Scotia

  • Prince Edward Island

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

Along with immigrants, this program helps Canadian employers hire qualified candidates after they fail to find a suitable candidate locally. 

This guide will provide a thorough roadmap for immigration aspirants. Find details of how you can use the Atlantic Immigration Program to pave your way into Canada.

Immigration Pathway Through Atlantic Immigration Program

AIP is an employer-driven program, enabling them to fill positions with qualified candidates. For an immigrant to participate in the program, a job offer is necessary from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada. Further, they must be either:

  • A skilled worker, or

  • A recent alumnus/alumna who has completed their studies at a reputable higher education institution in Atlantic Canada

  • Living abroad, or

  • A temporary resident in Canada

Processing Time

Fees

6 months (not counting time for Biometrics)

Starting from $1,365

Below you’ll find the vital details regarding eligibility and the immigration procedure to follow under AIP as a skilled worker or a recent graduate:

Step 1: Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?

Becoming eligible for the Atlantic Immigration Program requires following the steps below:

Work Experience

  • Total working hours in last 5 years = 1,560 hours

  • The work should be one of the National Occupation Classification (2021) categories.

  • It should include the actions and main duties in the NOC description.

For International Graduates 

No work experience required if you-

  • Have a degree, diploma, or certificate of 2 years from a recognized post-secondary institution in any of the four Atlantic provinces

  • Was a full-time student

  • Lived in any of the 4 Atlantic provinces for a minimum of 16 months during the last 2 years before graduation

  • Had the visa or permit required to work, study, or get training while in Canada

Educational Needs

You must have one of the following:

  • One-year Canadian post-secondary educational credentials, higher or equivalent from outside Canada for a job offer at the NOC 2021 Teer 0 or 1 category

  • A Canadian high school diploma or equivalent from outside Canada for a job offer at the NOC 2021 Teer 2, 3, or 4 category


For studies outside Canada:

  • You require an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

  • The report must be less than 5 years old on the date of receiving the application

Language Requirements

For NOC 2021 Teer Categories applying to your job offer, meet the requirements below:

  • Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or

  • Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC)

Provide results that are no more than 2 years old at the time of your application.

Settlement Funds

Enough money is required to sustain you and your family.

Once you meet all these conditions, you can begin searching for a job with a designated employer in Atlantic Canada.

Step 2: Get A Job Offer: Meet The Requirements

Here are the requirements your job offer must fulfill under the Atlantic Immigration Program:

  • Full Time

  • Non-Seasonal- Consistent and regularly scheduled paid employment

  • If you're offered a job in NOC 2021 categories TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3, it must last for at least 1 year after you become a permanent resident.

  • For NOC 2021 category TEER 4, the job offer must be for permanent employment, which means no fixed end date.

  • The job should be at the same level of skill or higher than the work experience that made you eligible for the job.

If You Get A Job Offer

  • Request the employer's Confirmation of Designation.

  • Inform them about the Atlantic Immigration Program and suggest they become designated if they aren't already.

Step 3: Documents Preparation

Prevent delays while applying for permanent residence in Atlantic Canada by preparing the following documents beforehand:

Language Test

Take a language test and send the results with the application.

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

ECA report is necessary for aspirants who studied outside Canada to show how their education compares to Canada.

Funds Proof

Have sufficient money to support you and your family.

No need for this if you have a valid work permit and are living and working in Canada.

Other Documents

Keep the documents in the application ready.

  • Settlement Plan

You should get a settlement plan after receiving a job offer from the designated employer. After obtaining your settlement plan, share a copy with your employer and retain one for yourself. If you're outside Canada, take the plan with you when relocating.

  • Certificate Of Endorsement

After securing your settlement plan, your job offer needs endorsement from the province, managed by your employer. Hold off on submitting your permanent residence application until your offer is endorsed. Upon endorsement, you'll receive a Certificate of Endorsement via mail, which should be included with your permanent residence application.

Step 4: Apply For Permanent Residence

Now you can apply for permanent residence as follows:

  1. Prepare to apply online

  2. Fill out your digital and PDF forms

  3. Pay the fees online

  4. Submit the application with complete details (Incomplete form will get rejected)

Step 5: Apply For Temporary Work Permit (Optional)

You can apply for a temporary work permit which is only for the Atlantic Immigration Program, valid for two years, and only allows you to work for the employer who has offered you the job. 

Step 6: After Application

Your information will be reviewed by the authorities. They may contact you for:

  • Biometrics

  • Confirmation that they’ve reviewed your application

  • Request more documents, if necessary

  • Interview schedule

  • Current status and upcoming steps

  • Payment of right of permanent residence fee

You should do the following:

  • Keep your details updated

  • Get fingerprints and photos taken

  • Let them process your application

  • Get your medical exam done

The authorities will verify your details and make a decision. You’ll receive a notification after the decision is made.

Step 7: If The Application Gets Approved

Authorities will send you a Confirmation Of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa upon approval.

Summing Up

The Atlantic Immigration Program represents a remarkable opportunity for skilled individuals, employers, and communities in Canada's Atlantic provinces. By facilitating the recruitment and retention of talented immigrants, the AIP aims to address labour market challenges, stimulate economic growth, and promote regional development. As Canada continues to embrace immigration as a cornerstone of its prosperity, initiatives like the AIP play a pivotal role in shaping the country's future and fostering a vibrant and inclusive society.