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Canada Immigration Aipp_Desktop

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): A Step-by-step process to get nomination

AIP is a fast-track immigration program that allows employers in Canada’s four Atlantic provinces to hire foreign nationals.

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As part of the Atlantic Growth Strategy, the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is designed to fill labour shortages in the Canadian Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Read on to know more about the AIP.

What is The Atlantic Immigration Program?

Originally launched in 2017, the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) has now brought in 10,000+ new permanent residents to Atlantic Canada. Four Canadian provinces - New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island - together make up Atlantic Canada. 

Building upon the success of the pilot, the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program was made permanent on December 17, 2021, and accordingly renamed as Atlantic Immigration Program. The new permanent program officially opened on January 1, 2022.

The Atlantic Immigration Program is a type of immigration program that allows employers in the Atlantic provinces of Canada to hire immigrants for jobs. You can also apply for permanent residence via this program.

Initially, the AIP had a total of three pathways for skilled workers and international students. These were - 

For Skilled Workers 

Atlantic High-Skilled Program

For high-skilled workers with work experience at National Occupation Classification (NOC) skill type level 0, A, or B

Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program

For intermediate-skilled workers with work experience at NOC skill level C, obtained either overseas or within Canada.

For international student graduates

Atlantic International Graduate Program

For international students  with a diploma or other related credentials from a public educational institution in Atlantic Canada

As the pilot bilateral agreements expired, all the individual AIP pathways closed on December 31, 2021.

Who can apply under Canada’s Atlantic Immigration Program?

To be able to apply under the AIP, you must - 

  • Intend settling in Atlantic Canada, 
  • Have recently completed graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada, or
  • Be a skilled worker.

Do I have to be in Canada when applying for the AIP?

You can be either - 

  • Living abroad, or
  • Already be in Canada as a temporary resident. 

Can I get Canadian permanent residence by AIP?

If eligible, you can take the AIP route to Canada PR and settle within any of the Canadian provinces that make up Atlantic Canada - 

  • Newfoundland and Labrador,
  • Nova Scotia,
  • New Brunswick, or
  • Prince Edward Island.

You can immigrate to Atlantic Canada through the AIP if you are a skilled worker or an international student. 

Eligibility for the Atlantic Immigration Program

To be eligible for Canadian AIP, you must meet the following requirements - 

Atlantic Immigration Program - Eligibility Requirements 

Work experience OR education in Atlantic Canada

Qualifying work experience 




Worked at least 1,560 hours - 30 hours/week in a year - within the previous five years.


  • Paid work
  • Not self-employed
  • Can be overseas or in Canada
  • If in Canada, must have been legally authorized to work in Canada as a temporary resident 

Education

Must be a graduate from any of the 24 recognized post-secondary institutions in Atlantic Canada 

Educational requirements 







[Study from outside Canada  will require an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), done within the previous five years]



For a job offer at NOC Skill Type 0 (management) or Skill Level A (professional) - 

  • Canadian one-year post-secondary educational credential or higher, or 
  • An equivalent in overseas education. 

For a job offer at the NOC Skill Level B (technical) or Skill Level C (intermediate) - 

  • Canadian high school diploma, or 
  • An equivalent from outside Canada. 

Language requirements 

The minimum language requirement will be as per the NOC category for your job offer - 

  • NOC Skill Type 0 (managerial): CLB5 / NCLC 5
  • NOC Skill Level A (professional): CLB 5 / NCLC 5
  • NOC Skill Level B (technical): CLB 5 / NCLC 5
  • NOC Skill Level C (intermediate): CLB 4 / NCLC 4

Language tests accepted for the AIP - 

(I) For English:

  1. CELPIP-General 
  2. IELTS General Training  

(II) For French

  1. TEF Canada
  2. TCF Canada

Funds 

You must have the ability to show sufficient money towards financial support for yourself and family when you settle in Canada.


The funds required will be as per the size of the family and will have to be shown even for family members that are not coming to Canada with you.


IMPORTANT

No funds to be shown if already working in Canada on a valid work permit. 

 

Note. NOC: National Occupational Classification. CLB: Canadian Language Benchmarks. NCLC: Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens. CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program. IELTS: International English Language Testing System. TEF: Test d’évaluation de français. TCF: Test de connaissance du français 

Do I need a job offer in Atlantic Canada for AIP?

If you meet the above eligibility requirements and are interested in immigrating to Canada through the AIP, the next step would be to look for a job with a designated employer in Atlantic Canada.

Who is exempted from the AIP work experience requirement?

You don’t have to meet the work experience requirement if you fulfil all of the following conditions.

You must be - 

  • An international graduate 
  • With a degree, certificate, or diploma etc.
  • That took a minimum of two years’ studies 
  • From any of the recognized 24 post-secondary institutions in Atlantic Canada,
  • Were a full-time student for the entire period 
  • Lived in any one of the Atlantic Canada provinces for at least 16 months during the two years before graduating, and 
  • Had the required visa or permit while you were in Canada. 

Related FAQs

Documentation for the Atlantic Immigration Program

The basic documents you will need are :

  • Valid passport
  • Test results for language skills
  • Police Clearance Certificate
  • Proof of funds
  • Medical certificate
  • Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
  • Legit settlement plan
  • Employment letter
  • Certificate of Endorsement
  • Proof of payment

Additional documents :

  • Proof of experience (if needed)
  • Marriage license (if needed)

Related FAQs

Application Process for the Atlantic Immigration Program

Step 1: The candidate is connected to a settlement service provider by the employer. The said provider will now conduct a needs assessment service to decide on the settlement plan to be followed by the candidate and its family.

Step 2: The selected settlement plan is sent to the employer as well as the candidate.

Step 3: The employer completes the endorsement application and identifies a program that suits the work experience that the employee has. The job offer and settlement plan is submitted to the province.

Step 4: The candidate submits a completed permanent residency application to the IRCC. The required documents and endorsement letter is submitted along with it.

Step 5: The application is submitted, and if approved, the candidate and the people concerned can now move to Atlantic Canada.

Related FAQs

Cost of the Atlantic Immigration Program

Application

$CAN

Your application

Processing fee ($850) and right of permanent residence fee ($515)

1,365

Your application (without right of permanent residence fee)

850

Include your spouse or partner

Processing fee ($850) and right of permanent residence fee ($515)

1,365

Include your spouse or partner (without right of permanent residence fee)

850

Include a dependent child

230 (per child)

 

Note: Dependent children are exempt from paying the Right of Permanent Residence fee.

Biometrics fees

$CAN

Biometrics (per person)

85

Biometrics (per family) (2 or more people)

Maximum fee for a family of 2 or more people applying at the same time and place

170

Processing Time: How long does it take to get PR through AIP?

The processing time for AIP applications is 6 months. The applicant must file the PR application within six months of getting the endorsement certificate. Employers that need to fill an immediate job vacancy have access to a temporary work permit, so the skilled immigrant can come and work right away while waiting for the application to be processed.

Note: In case the Permanent Residency Visa gets delayed, the applicant is granted a Temporary Work Permit (TWP) for a year.

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