Atlantic Immigration
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a pathway to permanent residence designed to attract skilled workers to Canada’s Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the program’s requirements and the steps involved:
1. Eligibility Requirements
• Candidate Requirements: Applicants must have a job offer from a designated employer, meet the minimum educational qualifications, and demonstrate sufficient language skills. For high-skilled jobs, applicants need a Canadian high school diploma or an equivalent foreign credential. Language requirements are benchmarked at CLB 4, regardless of job type.
• Employer Requirements: Employers in the Atlantic provinces must be designated by their province to hire through AIP, ensuring they follow approved recruitment practices and support newcomers’ settlement.
• Job Offer Requirements: The job offer must be for a full-time, non-seasonal position lasting at least one year. The job can be either high-skilled (NOC 0, A, B) or intermediate-skilled (NOC C)
2. Application Process and Timeline
• Step 1: Employer Designation – Employers must obtain designation from their province, a process that includes providing settlement support for new employees. This step varies slightly by province but is generally completed within a few weeks.
• Step 2: Job Offer and Endorsement Application – Once designated, employers issue job offers and initiate endorsement requests with their respective provincial immigration office. Provinces typically process endorsements within 1-2 months.
• Step 3: Permanent Residence Application – After endorsement, applicants can apply to IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) for permanent residence. The processing time for this step is around 6 months. A temporary work permit is also available for candidates needing to start work while waiting for their permanent residence approval
3. Settlement Support
• Employers are required to connect candidates with a local settlement service provider, which will help create a personalized plan to ease integration, such as language training and job search assistance
4. Costs
• Application Fees: The IRCC fee for the AIP permanent residence application is CAD 1,325 per adult applicant, which includes the Right of Permanent Residence Fee.
• Additional Costs: Candidates may incur costs for educational credential assessments (if needed), language testing, and any required medical exams
5. Eligible Provinces and Counties
• The AIP is available across the Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Each province has designated counties eligible for the program, covering urban and rural areas to encourage newcomers to settle and stay long-term
6. Special Notes
• No Points-Based System: Unlike Express Entry, AIP does not use a points system, making it accessible to individuals who meet the basic eligibility criteria without competing for a score.
• Settlement Obligation: Once permanent residence is granted, candidates are encouraged to live and work in the Atlantic region, where the program is intended to bolster the workforce.
For 2024, AIP continues to focus on retention by providing both temporary work permit options and support systems aimed at helping newcomers integrate smoothly into Atlantic Canadian communities. Each step and requirement is designed to simplify the transition to permanent residence while addressing regional workforce needs.