Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

Overview

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates from a Canadian institution who want to live and work in one of Canada's four Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island (PEI), or Newfoundland and Labrador. This program is employer-driven, meaning that all applicants must have a valid job offer from a designated employer in the Atlantic region. The AIP aims to help Atlantic employers hire skilled individuals for jobs they haven't been able to fill locally, addressing specific labour market needs in the region.

How it works

The AIP Streamlines the process for eligible candidates to obtain permanent residence. Employers who wish to hire foreign nationals through the AIP must first be designated by the provincial government. Once designated, employers can find qualified candidates, offer them a job, and then, if the candidate meets the program's criteria, endorse them for provincial nomination. A key feature of the AIP is the requirement for a settlement plan for each applicant and their family, ensuring they receive support to integrate into their new communities. This program allows for a temporary work permit in certain circumstances, enabling applicants to start working while their permanent residence application is being processed.

Who it's for

This program is designed for two main groups: skilled foreign workers, both those living abroad and those already in Canada, who have work experience relevant to an in-demand occupation in the Atlantic provinces; and international graduates who have completed a post-secondary program at a recognized institution in one of the Atlantic provinces. In both cases, a genuine job offer from a designated employer is fundamental. The AIP is particularly suited for individuals and families who are committed to settling long-term in the Atlantic region and contributing to its economic and social development.

To be eligible for the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), applicants must meet specific criteria related to work experience, education, language proficiency, and proof of funds.

• Work Experience:

  • High-Skilled Stream: Candidates must have at least one year of full-time (1,560 hours total) work experience in the last five years, in a job classified as TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 under the National Occupational Classification (NOC). This experience can be gained in Canada or abroad.
  • Intermediate-Skilled Stream: Candidates require at least one year of full-time (1,560 hours total) work experience in the last five years, in a job classified as TEER 4. This experience can be gained in Canada or abroad.
  • International Graduates Stream: No work experience is required for international graduates who have obtained a degree, diploma, or certificate from a recognized public post-secondary institution in an Atlantic province. They must have lived in an Atlantic province for at least 16 months in the 24 months before receiving their degree, diploma, or certificate.

• Job Offer: All applicants must have a valid full-time job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces. The job offer must not be seasonal, and for skilled workers, it must be for at least one year. For international graduates, the job offer must be for an indeterminate period.

• Education:

  • High-Skilled and Intermediate-Skilled Streams: Applicants must have a Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate or diploma, or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report confirming that their foreign education is equivalent to a Canadian credential.
  • International Graduates Stream: Applicants must have a degree, diploma, or certificate from a recognized public post-secondary institution in an Atlantic province. The program must have been at least two years in length.

• Language Proficiency: All applicants must meet minimum language requirements based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC).

  • High-Skilled Stream (TEER 0, 1, 2, 3): CLB/NCLC 5 in English or French.
  • Intermediate-Skilled Stream (TEER 4) and International Graduates Stream: CLB/NCLC 4 in English or French. Applicants must provide valid language test results from an IRCC-approved agency.

• Settlement Plan: All applicants, and their family members, must commit to a settlement plan. This plan outlines the support services they will receive from their employer and settlement service providers in the Atlantic region.

• Proof of Funds: Applicants must demonstrate they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family upon arrival in Canada, unless they are already working in Canada with a valid work permit. The required amount varies based on family size and is updated annually by IRCC.

Applicants for the Atlantic Immigration Program will generally need to provide the following documents:

• Provincial Endorsement Letter: This official letter is issued by the Atlantic province after a designated employer has endorsed the applicant's job offer and settlement plan.
• Valid Passport and Travel Documents: A passport valid for at least six months beyond the expected date of entry into Canada for each applicant and accompanying family member.
• Birth Certificates: For all applicants and dependent family members.
• Marriage Certificate/Divorce Certificate: If applicable.
• Job Offer Letter: The official, written job offer from a designated Atlantic employer, detailing the position, duties, wages, and employment conditions.
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): If your education was obtained outside Canada, an ECA report from a designated organization is required to show its equivalency to Canadian education standards (except for international graduates from Atlantic institutions).
• Language Test Results: Official results from an IRCC-approved language test (IELTS, CELPIP for English; TEF, TCF for French) that meet the minimum CLB/NCLC requirements for your stream.
• Proof of Funds: Bank statements or official letters from financial institutions demonstrating sufficient funds to support yourself and your family upon arrival in Canada. (Not required if already working in Canada with a valid work permit).
• Work Experience Documents: Letters of employment, pay stubs, and any other relevant documents to prove your past work experience.
• Police Certificates: From every country or territory where you have lived for six months or more since the age of 18.
• Medical Exam Results: From an IRCC-approved panel physician.
• Settlement Plan: A personalized plan developed with a settlement service provider organization in the Atlantic region.
• Digital Photos: Meeting IRCC specifications for permanent residence applications.

The application process for the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) involves several key steps:

1. Find a Designated Employer and Job Offer: The first and most crucial step is to secure a valid, full-time job offer from an employer that has been designated by one of the Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, or Newfoundland and Labrador). You can search for designated employers on provincial immigration websites.

2. Get a Settlement Plan: Once you have a job offer, your employer will connect you with a settlement service provider organization. You will work with this organization to develop a personalized settlement plan for you and your family to integrate into your new community.

3. Receive Provincial Endorsement: Your potential employer will submit an endorsement application to the respective provincial government. This application confirms that the job offer is genuine, that sufficient efforts were made to hire locally, and that your settlement plan is in place. If approved, the province will issue an Endorsement Letter.

4. Apply for a Temporary Work Permit (Optional): If you need to start working sooner while your permanent residence application is processed, and you have a valid job offer and a provincial endorsement, you may be eligible to apply for a temporary work permit. This requires a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption from IRCC, which is part of the AIP process.

5. Submit Permanent Residence Application: With your Endorsement Letter, you can then prepare and submit your complete application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Ensure all required documents, including language test results, educational credentials, and proof of funds, are included.

6. Medical Exam and Police Certificates: As part of the permanent residence application, you and all accompanying family members will be required to undergo a medical examination by an IRCC-approved panel physician and obtain police certificates from any country where you have lived for six months or more since the age of 18.

7. Decision and Landing: If your application is approved, IRCC will issue a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa (if applicable). You will then be able to land in Canada as a permanent resident.

The Atlantic Immigration Program allows accompanying family members to be included in the principal applicant's permanent residence application. Eligible family members include:

• Spouse or Common-law Partner: Your spouse or common-law partner can be included in the application.
• Dependent Children: Children who are under 22 years old and do not have a spouse or common-law partner are considered dependent children. Children who are 22 years old or older and have depended on their parents for financial support due to a physical or mental condition since before the age of 22 can also be included.

All accompanying family members must meet IRCC's admissibility requirements, including medical and criminal checks. They will also be covered by the settlement plan developed for the principal applicant, ensuring they receive support for their integration into the Atlantic community.

Upon approval of a permanent residence application through the Atlantic Immigration Program, the principal applicant and accompanying family members (spouse/common-law partner) will receive open work permits, allowing them to work for any employer in Canada. Before permanent residence is finalized, candidates with a provincial endorsement and a valid job offer may be eligible for a temporary work permit facilitated by the AIP. This allows them to begin working for their designated Atlantic employer while their permanent residence application is processed, helping to address immediate labour needs in the region. This temporary work permit is employer-specific.

The Atlantic Immigration Program is, by its very nature, a direct pathway to permanent residence in Canada. Successful applicants and their accompanying family members are granted permanent resident status, allowing them to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada, although the program is designed to encourage settlement and retention within the Atlantic provinces. After living in Canada as a permanent resident for a certain period and meeting residency obligations, individuals may then be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship. The AIP does not lead to a temporary status; its explicit goal is to facilitate permanent immigration to the Atlantic region.

Common reasons for refusal under the Atlantic Immigration Program may include:

• Incomplete Application: Failing to provide all required documents or information can lead to refusal. Ensure all forms are filled out completely and accurately.
• Ineligible Job Offer: The job offer from a designated employer does not meet the program's requirements (e.g., not full-time, not in an eligible NOC, or the employer is not properly designated).
• Failure to Meet Eligibility Criteria: Not meeting the minimum requirements for work experience, education, or language proficiency for the chosen stream.
• Insufficient Proof of Funds: Failing to demonstrate adequate financial capacity to support yourself and your family upon arrival in Canada.
• Admissibility Issues: Medical inadmissibility, criminal inadmissibility, or misrepresentation on the application can lead to refusal. This includes issues with police certificates or medical exam results.
• Lack of Genuine Intent to Settle: While the program leads to PR, IRCC may assess whether the applicant genuinely intends to reside in the Atlantic region. A weak or absent settlement plan can sometimes contribute to this perception.
• Fraud or Misrepresentation: Providing false information or documents at any stage of the application process will result in refusal and may lead to a ban from applying to Canada for several years.