The goal of the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is to bring in qualified employees to the Atlantic provinces of Canada. These provinces are- New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

The AIP’s objective is to increase the number of people moving to the Atlantic region of Canada. Further, it aims at supporting regional job growth, rising population, and the development of a skilled labor force.

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) 2024

The Atlantic Immigration Program Canada lets you immigrate to: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.  

Basically, if you are a foreign worker or an international student who graduated from a Canadian institution and are looking for residency in one of the Atlantic provinces, AIP is the pathway for you. 

This program also helps local employers find talented people from all over the world to hire them. 

In 2024, the Atlantic Immigration Program targets are set to invite about 6,500 for Canadian permanent residence. This was stated so in the Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026 released by IRCC. Moreover, in 2025 and 2026, AIP is set to increase its immigration targets to invite about 8,500 immigrants for PR. 

How the Atlantic Immigration Program Works

For Employers

The Atlantic Immigration Program helps employers hire overseas workers. They could also hire temporary workers already working in Canada and recent international graduates who graduated from a Canadian institute. 

For the Employers

These are the step by step process for employers to get designated under the Atlantic Immigration Program so they can hire through this program:

1. First of all, register for IRCC’s compulsory training program and complete it.
2.  Then, register for the intercultural competency training and complete it. If the training is exempt in your case, no need to go through it.
3. Employers will then apply to their provincial immigration department where they will be hiring
4. If the province accepts you, they will designate you as an AIP employer. 

As for the endorsement part, following are the steps you need to follow:

1. when you are going to provide a job offer to the candidate, make sure they are eligible for AIP
2. to provide settlement plan to the candidate, you have to connect with an English or French settlement service provider
3. now, the employer can send an endorsement application to the province
4. if the province accepts the application, they will send an endorsement letter to the candidate
5. The candidates found eligible for PR can apply for a temporary work permit. While their PR application is being processed, they are eligible to work in the province on a temporary work permit. 

This is how the overall immigration application process would go:

1. The candidate will be the one submitting their endorsement certificate, PR application, as well as required documents to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 
2. IRCC has the authorization to process all kinds of applications. Hence, it will review the application and process this one as well. 
3. While the PR application is in process, the candidate can apply for a work permit
4. Once their work permit is approved, they can travel to Canada with their family
5. The candidate will be connected with a local settlement service provider through the designated employer. 

How the Atlantic Immigration Program Works

For Candidates

The candidate who wishes to participate in this employer-driven program needs to first receive a job offer from a designated employer. 

Only after receiving a valid job offer can they participate in the AIP. Moreover, the basic requirements for candidates is that they must either be a:

• skilled worker, or
• recent graduate who studied from a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada

The Endorsement part covers:

1. You will receive a job offer from a designated employer
2. To get a settlement plan, you will be connected to a local settlement service provider
3. Once you get the settlement plan, send it to your employer so they can send an application for the endorsement. This endorsement application will be sent to the department. 
4. If approved, you should receive a provincial endorsement certificate. 
5. In case you need a work permit, you will receive a work permit support letter

The is the step by step immigration process through Atlantic Immigration Program:

1. You submit the PR application, required documents, and the endorsement certificate to IRCC. 
2. IRCC reviews the application and starts processing it. 
3. If you require a work permit, you can apply for it even while your PR application is being processed. 
4. Once the work permit application is approved, you can travel to Atlantic Canada and start working there. 
5. If you need any settlement services, connect to the services provider and your designated employer.

Who can apply for the Atlantic Immigration Program?

The eligibility requirement for Atlantic Immigration Program are mentioned below:

• meet the language and educational requirements
• show enough money to support yourself as well as your family
• must have required amount of work experience, unless you are an international graduate from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the Atlantic provinces of Canada

Work Experience Criteria for AIP

The candidate needs to have at least 1,560 hours worked over the last 5 years to be eligible for AIP. The work experience needs to be at one of the NOC 2021 TEER categories: TEER 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4. 

Your job experience must involve the tasks listed in your NOC’s description, and the majority of your NOC’s primary duties.

Calculate your working hours this way:

• Determine the total number of hours spent working both full-time and part-time jobs
• Only count the hours for which you were paid. Do not count the hours spent volunteering or working for free.
• Do not include the hours where the candidate worked independently.
• You have the option of counting hours worked for either in Canada or elsewhere. In order to be eligible for employment in Canada on a temporary basis, you need to possess the appropriate legal authorization.
• Total the number of hours that you worked for over a minimum of 12 months.
• If the hours worked for meet the requirements of your study permit, you can count the job experience you obtained while studying.

Requirements for International Graduates

Candidates who are qualifying graduates don’t need to show job experience. But they must fulfill the following criteria to qualify as an international graduate:

• Possess a minimum of a two-year degree, diploma, certificate, trade qualification, or apprenticeship qualification from an accredited post-secondary institution in one of the Atlantic provinces
• Have completed their education while enrolled full-time
• During the two years before graduating, they must have lived a minimum of 16 months in an Atlantic province
• Had the necessary employment authorization and/or study authorization while enrolled in school in Canada.

AIP Educational Requirements

• You must hold one-year post-secondary educational qualifications or higher, or the equivalent outside of Canada if your job offer is at the TEER 0 or 1 category.
• You must possess a Canadian high school diploma or the equivalent outside of Canada if your job offer is in the TEER 2, 3 or 4 category.
• If you studied outside of Canada, you must obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to confirm that your studies meet the Canadian educational standards required for your job offer. When IRCC receives your application, the ECA report’s age must not be more than five years old.

Language requirements for AIP

For job offers in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3, you need to have a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 5. For jobs in TEER 4, you need to have a CLB level of 4 to be eligible for the Atlantic Immigration Program.

You must send IRCC language test results from a language testing organization that has been designated. When you apply, the test results should be less than 2 years old.

Settlement Funds for AIP

The required amount depends on the number of your family members.

If you are already living and working in Canada with a legal work visa, you are exempted from providing proof of finances.  

All applicants must have sufficient funds to maintain themselves and their families in Canada. 

Designated Employers

Find the designated employers under the Atlantic Immigration Program below:

• Nova Scotia 
• New Brunswick 
• Prince Edward Island
• Newfoundland and Labrador 

Alternative methods to enter Atlantic Canada as Immigrants

Immigrants can move to Atlantic Canada through the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). These initiatives have allowed the provinces to welcome a variety of skilled employees, graduates from Canadian universities, and business immigrants like entrepreneurs.

Atlantic Canada PNPs are:

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

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)

Eligible immigrants who qualify and have the necessary qualifications will get a Nova Scotia provincial nominee certificate through this program. Let’s discuss the Nova Scotia immigration programs under the Atlantic Immigration Program below. 

This province offers several ways for people to move there: 

1. Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
2. Skilled Worker
3. Physician
4. Entrepreneur
5. International Graduate Entrepreneur
6. Labour Market Priorities for Physicians 
7. Occupations in Demand
8. Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities
9. International Graduates In Demand
10. Critical Construction Worker Pilot

1. Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry

The Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream is for people with high skills who want to live and work in Nova Scotia for a good life. 

For candidates to be eligible, they must have worked in Nova Scotia for at least one year in a high-skilled job. 

Moreover, the work experience needs to be at TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 categories of the NOC. 

2. Skilled Worker

Nova Scotia’s Skilled Worker stream allows firms to attract foreign workers and international students with needed capabilities.

Further, they can only hire foreign nationals when they are unable to fill the job positions with Canadian permanent residents or citizens. 

3. Physician

The Physician stream helps provincial public health institutions of Nova Scotia meet labor needs. Basically, it helps the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) and the Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre (IWK) hire healthcare professionals. 

Further, they can only hire foreign professionals in case when they are unable to fill the positions with a Canadian PR or citizen. 

4. Entrepreneur

The Entrepreneur Stream targets experienced business owners or senior managers eager to invest in and run a Nova Scotia enterprise. 

Applicants must buy a business and manage it on a daily basis or start a new one. After a year of operating this business, they may then become eligible for PR. 

5. International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

The International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is for recent Nova Scotia graduates who have created or bought a firm and have been operating it for over a year. 

Once they become eligible, they may apply for PR. Remember, this is one of the streams that cannot be applied to unless you have an invitation. 

6. Labor Market Priorities for Physicians

The Nova Scotia Labor Market Priorities for Physicians stream aims at Express Entry candidates. To apply for this stream, they must first receive an invitation. 

This invitation is issued by the Labour, Skills and Immigration (LSI), and candidates receive approval from an officer from the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) and the Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre (IWK). 

7. Occupations in Demand

Under the Occupations in Demand stream of Nova Scotia provincial nominee program, only specific TEER categories are targeted. Candidates need work experience under TEER category 3, 4 or 5 occupations of the NOC. 

These occupations are in high demand in Nova Scotia and the province identifies them on the basis of labor market information. 

8. Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities

The Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream selects candidates for nomination. These candidates are selected from the Express Entry pool and must meet the labor market needs. 

Candidates must first receive a Letter of Interest to be eligible for this stream. 

9. International Graduates In Demand

Recent international graduates with eligible skills and education may apply for the International Graduates in Demand stream. 

Further, candidates are selected from specific NOC categories, which are:

• NOC 32102: Paramedical occupations
• NOC 32124: Pharmacy technicians
• NOC 33102: nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
• NOC 42202: early childhood educators and assistants

10. Critical Construction Worker Pilot

The Critical Construction Worker Pilot is only for candidates with a full time, permanent job offer and with occupations listed in the eligible NOCs. 

The approved NOCs are:

• 70010 – Construction managers
• 70011 – Home building and renovation managers
• 72011 – Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
• 72014 – Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
• 72020 – Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
• 72106 – Welders and related machine operators
• 72200 – Electricians (except industrial and power system)
• 72201 – Industrial electricians
• 72310 – Carpenters
• 72320 – Bricklayers
• 72401 – Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
• 72402 – Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
• 72500 – Crane operators
• 73100 – Concrete finishers
• 73102 – Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
• 73110 – Roofers and shinglers
• 73200 – Residential and commercial installers and servicers
• 73400 – Heavy equipment operators
• 75101 – Material handlers
• 75110 – Construction trades helpers and labourers
• 75119 – Other trades helpers and labourers

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)

There are several streams under New Brunswick’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). These streams are made to attract and keep immigrants who can fill the gaps in the labor market and make a big difference in local economies and communities. 

These streams are:

• New Brunswick Express Entry stream
• NB Business Immigration Stream
• NB Skilled Worker Stream
• Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program
• NB Critical Worker Pilot
• NB Strategic Initiative Stream for French-speaking immigrants

1. New Brunswick Express Entry stream

Stream for New Brunswick’s Express Entry gives people with high skills a way to become permanent residents in New Brunswick.

It basically increases one’s chances to receive an ITA from the Express Entry and then apply for Canada PR. 

2. NB Business Immigration Stream

This specific stream is for experienced entrepreneurs who are looking to establish and operate a business in New Brunswick while living here permanently. 

3. NB Skilled Worker Stream

Foreign skilled workers with adequate skills, work experience and required education can immigrate to New Brunswick through the Skilled Worker stream. 

Moreover, to be eligible, candidates also need to meet the eligibility requirements and have a valid job offer from an employer of New Brunswick. 

4.  Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program

The Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program gives international graduates a chance to contribute to the local economy of the province. 

Such students need to possess required skills, work experience and education as well. The aim of this program is to make students choose specific programs to study so that they can contribute to the local economy. 

Those particular programs are Health, Social Development, IT and Cybersecurity, Supply Chain and Logistics, and Business Administration. 

5. NB Critical Worker Pilot

The Critical Worker Pilot is a 5-year pilot program which aims at attracting skilled workers to fill the labor demand. 

Basically, this program helps specific occupations which aren’t so easily filled up. Also, the candidate cannot apply directly as this is an employer-driven stream. 

6. NB Strategic Initiative Stream for French-speaking immigrants

This Strategic Initiative stream is specifically for French speakers who can contribute to the local economy of New Brunswick. 

They should have the intent to live and work in the province permanently as well as possess required education, skills and work experience. 

Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)

The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) allows immigrants with in-demand skills and experience to join the province’s growing workforce.

The streams of NLPNP are:

• Express Entry Skilled Worker
• Skilled Worker
• International Graduate
• International Entrepreneur
• International Graduate Entrepreneur

1. Express Entry Skilled Worker

Express Entry Skilled Worker stream of NLPNP is for TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations of highly skilled workers in the federal Express Entry pool.

2. Skilled Worker

Experienced workers at all TEER may apply for provincial nomination through the NLPNP’s Skilled Worker stream if they have a job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador company. 

The candidate must intend to permanently settle in the province.

3. International Graduate

Graduates of post-secondary institutions who meet the requirements may also be eligible to apply for the NLPNP International Graduate program. 

Moreover, they must possess a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) to be eligible for this stream. 

4. International Entrepreneur

This category is for people from outside of Newfoundland and Labrador who have owned and managed businesses before and want to buy and run a business there. Applicants must have experience running a business. 

5. International Graduate Entrepreneur

The International Graduate Entrepreneur is only for those who graduated from Memorial University or College of the North Atlantic. These graduates must have already started managing a local business or bought one. They must have been maintaining it for at least one continuous year.

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)

PEI PNP is a Provincial Nominee Program that targets immigrants with business skills, skilled employees, and recent graduates.

The streams under PEI PNP are divided in the following categories:

• Immigrate to PEI as a Skilled Worker
• Immigrate to PEI as an Entrepreneur

The streams under Skilled Worker category are:

1. PEI Express Entry
2. Occupations in Demand
3. Skilled Workers Outside Canada
4. Critical Workers
5. Skilled Workers in PEI
6. International Graduates
7. Intermediate Experience Stream

On the other hand, the streams under Entrepreneur category are:

1. Work Permit Stream
2. Buy or Sell a PEI Business

Immigrate to PEI as a Skilled Worker

If you are a skilled worker with required skills, education and work experience, you may be eligible to immigrate to Prince Edward Island through these streams. 

1. PEI Express Entry

Potential immigrants who have expressed a desire to live and work on Prince Edward Island and are in the federal Express Entry pool may be eligible for PEI Express Entry.

2. Occupations in Demand

The Occupations in Demand stream gives skilled workers from outside Canada a chance to work in PEI if they meet the requirements and have a valid job offer. 

The employer hiring the foreign national must also have received authorization to hire. The applicant seeking a work permit would then receive a Work Permit Support Letter. 

3. Skilled Workers Outside Canada

The Skilled Worker Outside Canada is a similar stream to Occupations in Demand. The candidate needs a full-time, permanent job offer from the employer to be eligible for this stream. 

The job offer should be under a highly skilled occupation which must be listed under TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3. 

4. Critical Workers

The Critical Worker stream allows employers of PEI to fulfill intermediate-skilled job positions by nominating eligible foreign workers for PR. 

Employers must be unable to fill the job position through the local market and that’s why they are applying through this stream. 

5. Skilled Workers in PEI

If a skilled worker is already employed by a PEI employer, they can apply to get nominated through the PEI PNP. 

This is also an employer-driven stream which lets employers fill high-skilled positions.

6. International Graduates

Those international graduates who graduated from a publicly-funded PEI post-secondary institution may be eligible for nomination through this stream. The International Graduates stream is employer-driven. 

7. Intermediate Experience Stream

Employers can hire foreign nationals through the Intermediate Experience stream by first, receiving authorization from the Office of Immigration, and after approval, provide a Work Permit Support Letter to the candidate. 

Immigrate to PEI as an Entrepreneur

1. Work Permit Stream

Candidates who intend to settle in PEI and invest as well as run a business in the province may be eligible for a nomination for PR through the Work Permit stream. 

2. Buy or Sell a PEI Business

If you would like to buy or sell a PEI business, you should first create your profile and then complete the business listing form. 

Frequently Asked Questions