The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) helps employers in Atlantic Canada to hire skilled foreign workers living inside or outside Canada who want to immigrate to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador; international graduates who want to permanently reside in Atlantic Canada after graduation may also be eligible under the program. The pilot allows employers to hire under three classes: 1. Atlantic International Graduate Program; 2. Atlantic High-Skilled Program; and 3. Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program. 

 

International Graduate Program

The International Graduate Program is to be used exclusively by individuals who have lived and studied in one of the Atlantic provinces. To be eligible, a person must have:

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• Completed at least a 2-year study program as a full-time student at a recognized publicly funded institution in an Atlantic Province, and graduated from that institution within 24 months prior to receipt of the application;

• Resided in the province of the educational institution for at least 16 months within 24 months prior to being granted the credential;

• Held a valid visa or permit required to work, study, or train in Canada;

• Language results that are less than 2 years and are at least equal to a language level 4 of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC);

• Proof of settlement funds if not already residing and legally working in Canada. Please see the table below for funds required;

• A full-time, non-seasonal job offer in job level 0, A, B, or C which has a duration for at least one year from an employer that has received designation from the province;

 

Atlantic High Skilled Program

This program targets individuals who have garnered work experience in a management, professional, or technical/skilled job. This program requires that applicants:

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• Have at least 12 months (1560 hours) of paid work experience in a NOC 0, A or B position within the last 3 years in one occupation either inside or outside Canada;

• Have a Canadian high school, post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree from a recognized institution, or an assessed foreign equivalent report validating foreign credentials that is less than 5 years old;

• Language test results that are less than 2 years and are at least equal to a language level 4 of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC);

• Proof of settlement funds if not already residing and legally working in Canada. Please see table below for funds required;

• A full-time, non-seasonal job offer in job level 0, A, or B, which will last for at least 1 year from the date on which permanent resident status is granted.

 

Atlantic Intermediate Skilled Workers Program

People who have gained at least one year work experience in a job that requires at least a high school and/or job-specific training may be eligible to apply for permanent resident under this category where they:  

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• Have worked at least 1560 hours in a paid NOC C position in the last 3 years in one occupation inside or outside Canada, over the course of at least 12 months; OR

• Have work experience as a registered nurse (NOC skill A3012), licensed practical nurse (NOC skill level B 3233), registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse (NOC skill level A 3012) AND have a job offer to perform work as a nurse’s aide, orderly or patient services associate (NOC skill level C 3413) or a home support worker (NOC skill level C 4412); and

• Have a Canadian high school, post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree from a recognized institution, or an assessed foreign equivalent report validating foreign credentials that is less than 5 years old;

• Have language test results that are less than 2 years and are at least equal to  CLB 4 or NCLC 4;

• Have a permanent, full-time, non-seasonal job offer;

• Proof of settlement funds if not already residing and legally working in Canada. Please see table below for funds required.

 

About the Process

The employer must first be designated (must be able to hire under the pilot) before they hire a candidate. Once a candidate has been found, the employer must provide them with an offer of employment and Confirmation of Designation to get a settlement plan which must be endorsed by the province. If the province endorses the settlement plan, the applicant will receive a Certificate of Endorsement and may then proceed to apply for permanent residence.

 

Eligibility for Work Permit

Candidates who meet the requirements to apply for permanent residence may be eligible to apply for a temporary work permit to support early entry and which allows the applicant to work while awaiting a decision on the permanent resident application. The permit will only be issued under this program, be valid for 1 year, and be specific to the employer who offered the job. The application must be accompanied by a referral letter from the province and the application for permanent residence must be submitted within 90 days of applying for the temporary work permit. Moreover, spouses and common-law partners of principal applicants may also apply for an open work permit if the applicant’s occupation is in NOCs 0, A, B, or C.

 

Funds Required under the Program

The funds required are updated annually and is based on the size of the applicant’s family, even when these family members are not accompanying the applicant to Canada. As such, proof of the below amount should be provided: