Atlantic Immigration Program

Atlantic Immigration Program

The Atlantic Immigration Program seeks to attract qualified workers in order to boost economic growth in Canada's Atlantic provinces. New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island are among the Atlantic provinces.
Applicants must have an official work offer to be eligible for the Atlantic Immigration Program. To secure a genuine Canadian employment offer for immigration reasons, the candidate must usually acquire a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The Atlantic Immigration Program does not require this. Instead, the job offer must come from a specific employer.
The Atlantic Immigration Program began as a pilot programme in 2017 and was made permanent in early 2022. Each year, the AIP is in charge of welcome nearly 6,000 newcomers to the Atlantic provinces.

Atlantic Immigration Program Requirements

The Atlantic Immigration Program supports immigration by bringing two parties together:
1. Foreign nationals interested in relocating to Atlantic Canada
2. Government-designated employers who hire foreign nationals
Both of these parties must meet separate conditions under the Atlantic Immigration Program.

Foreign National Requirements

Foreign nationals who want to move to New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, or Prince Edward Island can do so through the Atlantic Immigration programme if they meet certain criteria. The foreign national must first obtain an official work offer from a designated employer. Please see the tables below for the authorised employers in each province:

Work Experience Requirements

Candidates must have a minimum of one year of paid, full-time job experience in the last five years. On valid status, you may count hours worked overseas or within Canada. Work experience in National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill levels 0, A, B, or C is required.

International Graduate Requirements

Candidates who qualify as eligible overseas grads are not required to have any work experience. Candidates must meet the following conditions to qualify as an international graduate:

• 1. Possess a two-year degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship certificate from a recognised post-secondary institution in one of the Atlantic provinces.
• 2. Have been a full-time student throughout their education;
• 3. Have spent at least 16 months in one of the Atlantic provinces in the two years preceding graduation;
• 4. Have had the required study permit and, if necessary, employment permit during their studies in Canada.

Proof of Funds

Candidates must also be able to show that they have enough money to maintain themselves and their family once they arrive in Canada.

Designated Employer Requirements

Employers who want to participate in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program must apply to become designated employers. As a designated employer, a company will be able to engage foreign nationals without first obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Employees hired through the pilot must be assisted with settling into their province of residency by designated employers.

Employer Designation

An employer must first apply to be formally recognised in order to hire foreign nationals through the Atlantic Immigration Program. To get designated, the employer can apply directly to the province where the firm that wants to hire foreign nationals is located. The employer must show that they are in good standing with all provincial regulatory organisations. They will also be required to submit a description of their labour requirements, as well as the justification for hiring international workers.
Finally, authorised businesses must demonstrate that they are capable of providing settlement assistance to employees hired through the Atlantic Immigration Program.Businesses interested in becoming a designated employer can visit the immigration websites of the Atlantic provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.