The Atlantic Immigration Program: Your Path to Living and Working in Eastern Canada

What is the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)?

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a federal program that helps employers in Atlantic Canada hire skilled foreign workers and international graduates. If you get a job offer from an approved employer in one of the four Atlantic provinces, the program gives you a faster way to become a permanent resident. It supports the growth of the region by matching immigration to local job needs.

The AIP became a permanent program on January 1, 2022, after the success of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, which started in 2017. The pilot was created to deal with serious issues in Atlantic Canada, such as a shrinking population, not enough workers, and low numbers of immigrants staying long-term. The new, permanent version improves on the pilot by using what was learned and making the program easier to run.

The AIP serves the four Atlantic provinces of:

New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island

These provinces have unique problems with their population and economy. Many areas have more older people, fewer young people staying, and not enough skilled workers. The AIP helps by allowing local employers to hire skilled workers from other countries for jobs they can’t fill with local people.

Benefits of the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) has many benefits for people who want to live and work in eastern Canada. It makes the immigration process easier and helps match newcomers with employers who need their skills. Here are the main reasons why the AIP is a good choice for skilled workers and international graduates.

Faster Processing Times

One major benefit of the AIP is its fast processing. The program makes it easier and quicker to get permanent residence by cutting down delays and giving priority to AIP applications. If you meet all the requirements and send in complete documents, your application can be processed faster than in other federal programs.

Employer-Driven Process

The AIP is built around job offers, with employers playing a key role in the process. Approved employers in Atlantic Canada can hire international workers for jobs they can’t fill with local talent. This focused approach matches immigration with real job needs, helping newcomers find stable work and stay in the region long-term.

No Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Required

Unlike many other immigration programs, the AIP does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This makes things easier and faster for employers, since they don’t have to go through extra paperwork. It also helps foreign workers, as more employers are willing to hire through the AIP because the process is simpler.

Opportunity for Permanent Residency

The AIP gives eligible candidates a clear path to permanent residence. After getting a valid job offer and provincial endorsement, applicants can apply for permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This permanent status comes with many benefits, like access to healthcare, social services, and the chance to sponsor family members.

Family-Friendly and Community-Focused Settlement Support

A big part of the AIP is helping newcomers settle into their new life. People in the program must work with a local service provider to create a personal settlement plan. These services also help their family and include support with housing, schooling, learning English or French, and finding a job. This support makes it easier for newcomers to start a stable and happy life in Atlantic Canada and increases the chances that they will stay.

Who Can Apply?

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is for foreign nationals who meet certain requirements for education, language skills, and work experience. It focuses on three main groups: skilled workers, workers with intermediate skills, and international graduates from schools in Atlantic Canada. The program makes sure that applicants have the right background to work and live successfully in the region.

To qualify for the AIP, all applicants must meet the following basic requirements:

Education

Applicants must have at least a Canadian high school diploma or a similar certificate from another country. If they studied outside Canada, they need to get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from an approved organization to prove their education is equal to Canadian standards.

Language Proficiency

Language ability is essential for successful integration. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in either English or French by taking an approved language test. The required level is:

Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 for both skilled and intermediate-skilled workers.
The same applies to international graduates, depending on the job offer received.

Work Experience

Applicants must have at least one year (1,560 hours) of full-time, paid work experience in the last five years. The experience must be:

In a National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 job for skilled workers.
In a NOC TEER 4 job for intermediate-skilled workers.
Work experience is not required for international graduates who meet the education and job offer

How the Program Works

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) uses a clear, step-by-step process to help skilled foreign workers and international graduates find jobs with employers in Atlantic Canada. The program focuses on the region’s needs and supports applicants at every stage—from getting a job offer to becoming a permanent resident. Here’s a simple breakdown of how the process works.

Receive a Job Offer from a Designated Atlantic Employer

The first step in the AIP is getting a valid job offer. You must have a full-time, year-round job offer from an employer approved to hire through the program. These approved employers are checked and approved by the province to take part in the AIP.

The job offer must:

Be in a position classified under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4
Match the applicant’s skills, education, and experience
Be supported by a genuine need that cannot be filled locally

Get Endorsement from a Provincial Government

Once the job offer is secured, the employer must work with the applicant and a provincial immigration office to obtain a provincial endorsement. This step confirms that:

The employer is eligible and compliant with AIP requirements
The job offer meets program standards
The applicant has submitted a settlement plan from an approved service provider

The province will review the application and issue an Endorsement Certificate if all conditions are met. This certificate must be included in the permanent residence application.

Apply for Permanent Residence

Once you have a valid job offer and a provincial endorsement, you can apply for permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Your application must include:

The endorsement certificate
Supporting documents (e.g., proof of language proficiency, education credentials, work experience)
Police certificates, medical exams, and biometrics

IRCC handles AIP applications under the economic class. If you qualify, you can also apply for a temporary work permit. This lets you start working in Canada while your permanent residence application is being processed.

Access Settlement Services

A key part of the AIP is helping newcomers settle and adjust. As part of the process, every applicant must create a personal settlement plan with an approved service provider. This plan shows what support and services are available to help them and their family get used to life in Canada.

These services may include:

Language training
Employment counselling
Community orientation
Help finding housing and childcare

Finding a Job Through the AIP

Getting a valid job offer from an approved employer is the first and most important step in applying for the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). Since the program is led by employers, it’s important to know how to search for jobs in Atlantic Canada to improve your chances of success.

What is a “Designated Employer”?

A designated employer is a company or organization in Atlantic Canada that has been approved by the province to take part in the AIP. These employers have shown that they truly need to hire workers from outside Canada and are ready to help newcomers settle into their jobs and communities.

Each Atlantic province has its list of approved employers. Only job offers from these employers are accepted under the AIP. These employers must also work with applicants to create a personal settlement plan and help them get provincial endorsement.

Where to Find AIP Job Listings

To find job opportunities under the AIP, candidates should:

Visit official provincial immigration websites, where many provinces publish searchable directories or job boards featuring openings from designated employers.
Check employer websites directly, especially if they are listed as designated under the AIP.
Explore Job Bank Canada, which allows filtering for Atlantic provinces and includes positions that may qualify under immigration programs.

Tips for Job Hunting in Atlantic Canada

Tailor your resume and cover letter to meet Canadian formatting and expectations. Highlight relevant skills, education, and work experience.
Focus on in-demand sectors, such as healthcare, trades, hospitality, manufacturing, information technology, and transportation.
Engage with provincial job fairs and virtual recruitment sessions targeted at international applicants.
Reach out directly to designated employers, even if a position is not currently advertised, to express interest and availability.
Prepare for interviews by researching the company, understanding local work culture, and practicing common interview questions.

Avoiding Job Offer Scams

As demand for Canadian jobs increases, so does the risk of fraudulent job offers. To protect yourself:

Never pay money to receive a job offer. Genuine employers do not charge hiring fees.
Verify employer designation through official provincial websites.
Beware of unprofessional communication, poor grammar, or email addresses that do not match official domains.
Confirm job offer details, including duties, salary, location, and employer contact information.
Report suspicious activity to immigration authorities or local consumer protection agencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a job offer to apply?

Yes. A valid, full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces is required to apply for the AIP.

Do I need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)?

No. The AIP does not require an LMIA, making it easier and faster for employers to hire and for candidates to apply.

Can international graduates apply?

Yes. If you completed a two-year program at a publicly funded post-secondary institution in one of the Atlantic provinces and meet all other requirements, you can apply without prior work experience.

What language level is required?

Applicants must prove proficiency in English or French with at least CLB Level 5 (or equivalent) on an approved language test. Results must be less than two years old.

Conclusion

What makes the AIP special is its focus on helping newcomers settle long-term and grow local communities. It doesn’t require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which makes the process faster and simpler. The program also provides strong support through local services. Since employers must be approved, job offers are real and reliable. Personalized settlement plans help newcomers and their families build a stable and happy life in eastern Canada.