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The Atlantic Immigration Program allows competent foreign workers and international graduates of a Canadian university to work and live in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador. Employers can use the program to find eligible individuals for positions that they haven’t been able to fill locally.
To qualify for the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), candidates must meet a few essential criteria. They must have a valid job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces—New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador. Applicants should have at least one year of full-time work experience in the past five years.
A minimum educational qualification of a Canadian high school diploma or its foreign equivalent (verified through an Educational Credential Assessment) is required. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate language proficiency in English or French at a minimum level of CLB 4 and show they have enough financial resources to support themselves and their family unless they are already working in Canada.
The process begins when a designated Atlantic employer offers a job to a candidate. Once the offer is made, the employer must work with a settlement service provider to help the candidate prepare for life in Canada. The employer then applies for endorsement from the province, and if approved, the candidate receives an endorsement letter.
This letter is a crucial component of the permanent residence application, which is then submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Candidates also have the option to apply for a temporary work permit so they can begin working while their permanent residence application is being processed.
Unlike many Canadian immigration programs that offer multiple streams, the Atlantic Immigration Program is streamlined into two main categories. The first is for skilled workers who meet the work experience, education, and language requirements and have received a job offer from a designated employer.
The second is for international graduates who have completed at least a two-year program at a recognized institution in one of the Atlantic provinces and have a valid job offer. These two pathways ensure both experienced professionals and newly trained graduates have opportunities to settle and grow in Atlantic Canada.
The Atlantic Immigration Program operates independently from the Express Entry system, meaning applicants are not required to create an Express Entry profile to apply. However, those who are eligible for both may choose to apply through Express Entry if they wish to benefit from faster processing times.
One of the standout advantages of the Atlantic Immigration Program is that it does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which often complicates other work-related immigration pathways. The program offers lower language and education thresholds, making it more accessible for a broader range of applicants.
It is also employer-driven, meaning it directly addresses labor shortages in the Atlantic provinces by connecting qualified immigrants with real job opportunities. Successful applicants can apply for permanent residency and are supported by settlement services to ease their transition and integration into the community.
The Atlantic Immigration Program is an innovative, region-specific initiative designed to bring skilled workers and international graduates into Canada’s Atlantic provinces. Its simplified process, employer involvement, and supportive integration framework make it a practical and attractive pathway to permanent residency.