Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) provides an alternative pathway for individuals seeking to immigrate to Canada through the four Atlantic provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
This employer-driven initiative addresses labor shortages by enabling designated
employers in the Atlantic region to hire workers for positions that local candidates are
unable to fill. By facilitating employment opportunities, the AIP contributes to both
regional economic growth and population development.
Under the AIP, thousands of immigrants gain permanent resident status annually,
thanks to partnerships with employers. This mutually beneficial arrangement fosters adiverse and skilled workforce, essential for thriving communities.
HOW TO SECURE EMPLOYMENT THROUGH THE ATLANTIC IMMIGRATION
PROGRAM:
Employers seeking to participate must first obtain designation. Once designated,
employers can identify candidates who meet their specific employment requirements
and the program's criteria. Notably, employers are exempt from the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process.
When extending a job offer to a qualified candidate, as an employer, it's imperative to ensure that the position meets the following criteria:
⦁ The role is full-time, providing consistent employment opportunities.
⦁ It is non-seasonal, offering stability throughout the year.
⦁ The duration of the position is at least one year, commencing from the moment
the candidate attains permanent resident status.
To be eligible for the Atlantic Immigration Program, you must
⦁ have qualifying work experience, unless you’re an international graduate
of a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada
⦁ meet or exceed the educational requirements
⦁ meet or exceed the language requirements
⦁ show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family when you get to Canada
⦁ (you don’t need to show proof if you are already living and working in Canada on
a work permit status)
Work experience
In the last 5 years, you must have worked at least 1,560 hours. This is the number of hours you would have worked in
1 year if you were working 30 hours per week.
This work should be at one of these National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories
⦁ TEER 0 (management jobs such as restaurant managers or mine managers)
⦁ TEER 1 (professional jobs that usually need a degree from a university, such as doctors, dentists or architects)
⦁ TEER 2 (technical jobs and skilled trades requiring at least 2 years of college or apprenticeship,
or occupations with supervisory or safety responsibilities such as police officers and firefighters)
⦁ TEER 3 (technical jobs and skilled trades requiring less than 2 years of college or apprenticeship;
or more than 6 months of on-the-job training)
⦁ TEER 4 (intermediate jobs that usually call for high school and/
or several weeks of job-specific training, such as industrial butchers, long-haul truck drivers,
or food and beverage servers)
International graduates
You do not need to meet the work experience requirements if you’re an international graduate who
⦁ has a degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship certification that
⦁ took at least 2 years of studies
⦁ is from a recognized post-secondary institution in 1 of the 4 Atlantic provinces
(New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador)
⦁ was a full-time student for the entire time you were studying
⦁ lived in one of the following provinces for at least 16 months during the last 2 years before you graduated
⦁ New Brunswick
⦁ Nova Scotia
⦁ Newfoundland and Labrador or
⦁ Prince Edward Island
⦁ had the visa or permit you needed to work, study or get training while you were in Canada
Language requirements
You must meet the minimum language requirements based on the NOC 2021 TEER category that applies to your job offer. This can either be the
⦁ Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or
⦁ Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC)
The minimum language requirements for each NOC 2021 TEER category are
⦁ CLB/NCLC 5 for TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3
⦁ CLB/NCLC 4 for TEER 4
Settlement funds
You need to have enough money to support yourself and your family when you get to Canada. The amount you need depends on the size of your family. The size of your family also includes anyone you support who isn’t immigrating with you.