Canada – AIP

The Atlantic Immigration Program replaced the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program.

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program was initiated in 2017 for immigrants and their families to work and settle in Canada. It was closed on December 31, 2021 and on March 5, 2022 IRCC stopped accepting Pilot applications. Now The Atlantic Immigration Program replaced the Pilot Program.

The Atlantic Immigration Program is designed to welcome newcomers to the Atlantic Canada region to fill the needs of local employers and communities.

The program allows designated local employers to identify, recruit and retain global talent. The program also has the goals of supporting population growth, developing a skilled workforce, and increasing employment rates in the region.

The AIP has proven to be a major success for immigrants, employers, and the Atlantic region. It continues to provide permanent resident status to thousands of immigrants each year, which addresses the needs of local employers, and promotes population, labour force, and economic growth.

It is an employer-led program that aims to bring candidates to the region to fill positions for which Canadian citizens and permanent residents are not available.

To hire through the AIP, employers do not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment. Instead, they must meet requirements to become designated to make job offers.

Three programs operate under the Atlantic Immigration Program, which targets different types of candidates.

• Atlantic High-Skilled Program (AHSP):  

The Atlantic High-Skilled Program is aimed at skilled workers with management, professional or technical/skilled job experience. There are also other requirements. The job offer must last for at least one year.

• Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program (AISP):

The Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program is aimed at candidates for jobs requiring a high school education and/or job-specific training. There are also other requirements. The job offer must be permanent.      

These two programs attract a large number of professionals and skilled workers to work and settle in Atlantic province.

• Atlantic International Graduate Program (AIGP):

The Atlantic International Graduate Program is aimed at candidates who have a degree, diploma or other credential from a publicly-funded institution in an Atlantic province. Work experience is not required. The job offer must last for at least one year.

The work experience, education, and job offer required will depend on whether the individual is applying as a worker or as an international student graduate. The other requirements are the same for both.

Below table shows key Eligibility Requirements of AIP

The documents required for the AIP

All these below documents should be ready when you submit your application for PR Visa

• Identity documents (like a valid passport)
• Language Test result (IELTS or TEF)
• Canadian High School diploma or an Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA) to confirm Canadian equivalency of your education
• Proof of funds
• Letters of employment
• Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) & Medical Certificate
• Certificate of Endorsement
• A valid settlement plan

Other ways to immigrate to Atlantic Canada

The Atlantic Provinces have already been active in immigration over recent years, principally through the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Through these programs, the provinces have been able to welcome a wide range of skilled workers, graduates who have studied in Canada, and business immigrants such as entrepreneurs.

Since 2015, each Atlantic province has created at least one PNP stream aligned with the federal Express Entry system, allowing candidates in the Express Entry pool who are also eligible to immigrate through one of these streams to submit an application to immigrate to the given province.

Currently, the Atlantic PNP options include:

• Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
• New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
• Newfoundland And Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
• Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)