Atlantic Immigration Program

In our previous posts, we introduced you to the different immigration programs and pathways for Canada, explained how Express Entry works, discussed how family sponsorship works, talked about how provincial nominees work, and explored how Quebec-selected skilled workers work.

In this post, we will discuss the Atlantic Immigration Program, another way to immigrate to Canada by graduating from a school or working in one of the four Atlantic provinces.

What is the Atlantic Immigration Program?

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a program that allows eligible employers in the four Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador) to hire foreign workers who want to immigrate to Canada and who have graduated from a school or worked in one of these provinces.

The AIP has three streams: the Atlantic High-Skilled Program, the Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program, and the Atlantic International Graduate Program.

How does the Atlantic Immigration Program work?

The Atlantic Immigration Program works in three steps:

1. Get a job offer: You need to find a job offer from a designated employer in one of the four Atlantic provinces. A designated employer is an employer who has been approved by the provincial government to participate in the AIP. You can use the [Job Bank] to search for jobs in these provinces. You can also use the Employer Designation List to see which employers are designated for each province. The job offer must be full-time, non-seasonal, and meet the wage and skill level requirements for each stream.
2. Get an endorsement: You need to get an endorsement from the provincial government where your employer is located. An endorsement is a document that shows that the province supports your immigration application. To get an endorsement, you need to submit an application to the province online or by mail. You also need to provide proof of your job offer, education, work experience, language ability, and settlement plan.
3. Apply for permanent residence: If you get an endorsement from the province, you must apply to IRCC for permanent residence within six months or before your endorsement expires, whichever comes first. You need to fill out the online or paper forms in the application package, pay the fees, and submit the application by mail or online (if available). You also need to provide proof of your endorsement, identity, education, work experience, language ability, and other documents.

The processing time for Atlantic Immigration Program applications is usually six months or less. You can also link your paper application to your online account to check the status of your application.

What are the benefits of being an Atlantic Immigration Program applicant?

There are several benefits of being an Atlantic Immigration Program applicant, such as:

• Having more opportunities: You can access a variety of jobs in different sectors and industries in the four Atlantic provinces. These provinces have a high demand for skilled workers and offer competitive wages and benefits.
• Having more support: You can access settlement services and resources from your employer and the provincial government. You can also benefit from the mentorship and networking programs offered by these provinces.
• Having more culture: You can experience the rich and diverse culture of the four Atlantic provinces, which are known for their natural beauty, friendly people, and vibrant communities.

These are some of the benefits of being an Atlantic Immigration Program applicant. You can find more information about each stream on the IRCC website.

We hope that this post has given you a clear overview of how the Atlantic Immigration Program works and how you can apply for permanent residence by graduating from a school or working in one of the four Atlantic provinces.

In our next post, we will discuss caregivers, another way to immigrate to Canada by providing care for children, the elderly or those with medical needs.