Atlantic Immigration Program
Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program is designed to stimulate economic growth in Canada’s Atlantic Provinces by attracting skilled workers. The Atlantic Provinces include New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
- Atlantic Immigration Program Requirements
- Employer Designation
To qualify for the Atlantic Immigration Program, applicants must have an official job offer. Usually, to obtain a Canadian job, offer valid for immigration purposes, the applicant must obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This is not required for the Atlantic Immigration Program. Instead, the job offer must be from a designated employer.
The Atlantic Immigration Program started as a pilot program in 2017 and was made permanent at the beginning of 2022. The AIP is responsible for welcoming over 6,000 newcomers to Atlantic Provinces each year.
Atlantic Immigration Program Requirements
- Foreign nationals interested in becoming residents of Atlantic Canada
- Employers designated by the government to hire foreign nationals
Foreign National Requirements
Foreign nationals interested in immigrating to either New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, or Prince Edward Island, may do so through the Atlantic Immigration program only if they meet certain requirements. First, the foreign national must have an official job offer from a designated employer. Please refer to each province’s designated employers in the following tables:
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Designated Employers
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Newfoundland & Labrador
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|
Designated Employers
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Nova Scotia
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|
Designated Employers
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Prince Edward Island
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|
Designated Employers
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New Brunswick
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Second, the foreign national must meet the eligibility requirements. These requirements vary depending on whether the candidate has completed qualifying post-secondary education in Atlantic Canada.
Work Experience Requirements
Candidates must have at least one year of paid, full-time work experience in the past five years. You may count hours worked abroad, or inside Canada on valid status. The work experience must be in National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level 0, A, B, or C.
International Graduate Requirements
Candidates who qualify as eligible international graduates do not need to meet the work experience requirements. In order to meet the requirements of an international graduate, candidates must:
- Hold a minimum two-year degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship certificate; from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the Atlantic provinces;
- Have been a full-time student for the entirety of their studies;
- Have lived in one of the Atlantic provinces for at least 16 months during the last two years before graduating;
- Have held the required study permit, and if required, work permit, during their studies in Canada
Recognized post-secondary institutions Â
Educational Requirements
Educational requirements will vary depending on the occupational skill type of the job offer. Please see the chart below for educational requirements by skill type:
| Skill type | Minimum education |
|---|---|
|
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Minimum 1-year post-secondary credential (Canadian or equivalent)
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|
A
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Minimum 1-year post-secondary credential (Canadian or equivalent)
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B
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Minimum high school diploma (Canadian or equivalent)
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C
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Minimum high school diploma (Canadian or equivalent)
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If your education was completed outside of Canada, you must provide an Educational Credential Assessment.
Language Requirements
The minimum required Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level also depends on the skill type of the job offer. Please see the chart below for language requirements by skill type:
| Skill type | CLB level |
|---|---|
|
|
5
|
|
A
|
5
|
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B
|
5
|
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C
|
4
|
Proof of Funds
Candidates must also be able to demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves and their families when settling in Canada.
Designated Employer Requirements
Employers interested in participating in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program must apply to become designated employers. As a designated employer, a business will have the ability to hire foreign nationals without obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Designated employers are required to assist employees hired through the pilot with settlement in their province of residence.
Employer Designation
To hire foreign nationals through the Atlantic Immigration Program, first, an employer must apply to be officially designated. To become designated, the employer may apply directly to the province where the business for which they want to hire foreign nationals is located. The employer will have to demonstrate that they are in good standing with any provincial regulatory bodies. They will also have to submit a description of their labour needs, including their reason for hiring international workers.
Finally, designated employers must demonstrate that they can provide settlement support to the workers they hire through the Atlantic Immigration Program. To obtain applications to become a designated employer, businesses can consult the immigration webpages of the Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.