Atlantic Immigration Program

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

A pathway to permanent residence for foreign skilled workers and international graduates who want to live in one of the Atlantic Provinces.

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates who want to work and live in one of Canada’s 4 Atlantic Provinces: Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island (PEI), Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.

There are 3 programs for this pilot program:

Atlantic Intermediate Skilled Program (AISP)
Atlantic High Skilled Program (AHSP)
Atlantic International Graduate Program (AIGP)

LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) is not needed for the above Atlantic Immigration Programs.

Meet the Requirements

Candidates can be outside Canada or already be in Canada temporarily at the time of applying;
Candidates must receive a job offer from a designated employer in the Atlantic region; and
An individualized settlement plan for yourself and, if any, dependants need to be decided on by your employer.

If you receive a job offer from an employer, ask for a copy of the employer’s Confirmation of Designation or tell them about the Atlantic Immigration Pilot and ask them to consider becoming designated, if they aren’t already.

This pilot is an employer-driven program so in the case that an employer needs to fill a job vacancy quickly, the candidate will have access to a temporary work permit so they can come to Canada as soon as possible. In order to obtain this work permit, candidates will need:

a valid job offer;
a letter from the province; and
a commitment to apply for permanent residence within 90 days of the temporary work permit application.

Requirements for Each Category

1. Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program (AISP)

In general, you must:

have worked in a job that requires a high school education and/or job-specific training for at least a year;
have at least a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent education;
take a language test to show you can communicate in English or French; and
show you can support yourself and your family when you come to Canada.

2. Atlantic High-Skilled Program (AHSP)

In general, you must:

have worked in a managerial, professional or technical/skilled job for at least a year;
have at least a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent education;
take a language test to show you can communicate in English or French; and
show you can support yourself and your family when you come to Canada.

3. Atlantic International Graduate Program (AIGP)

In general, you must:

have a degree, diploma or other credentials from a publicly funded institution in an Atlantic province;
have lived in an Atlantic province for at least 16 months in the 2 years before getting your degree, diploma or credential;
take a language test to show you can communicate in English or French; and
show you can support yourself and your family when you come to Canada.

Work experience is not required for international graduates hired through the Atlantic Immigration Program. However, the employer must also meet certain requirements.