Canada’s Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a fantastic opportunity for skilled workers and international graduates to settle in Canada’s Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. This employer-driven program fills local job market gaps while helping newcomers build vibrant lives in welcoming communities. Let’s explore who can apply, how to get an employer designated, and the steps to have a job offer endorsed.

Who Can Apply for the Atlantic Immigration Program?

The AIP is designed for individuals with the skills to contribute to Atlantic Canada’s economy. To qualify for permanent residency, you’ll need to meet requirements for work experience, education, language proficiency, and settlement funds (unless you’re already working in Canada with a valid work permit). Here’s the breakdown:

1. Work Experience: Building Your Eligibility

You need at least 1,560 hours of paid work experience (30 hours a week for one year) in the last 5 years, aligned with the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 TEER categories.

What Counts?

• Paid Hours: Include part-time or full-time jobs, in Canada (with legal authorization) or abroad. Volunteer work, unpaid internships, or self-employment don’t count.

• Duration: Hours must span at least 12 months.

• Job Duties: Must match the actions and most main duties in your occupation’s NOC description.

• TEER Categories:

  • TEER 0: Management roles (e.g., restaurant or mine managers).

  • TEER 1: Professional jobs requiring a university degree (e.g., doctors, architects).

  • TEER 2: Technical roles or skilled trades needing 2 years of college or apprenticeship, or supervisory/safety roles (e.g., police officers, firefighters).

  • TEER 3: Jobs requiring less than 2 years of college, apprenticeship, or over 6 months of on-the-job training.

  • TEER 4: Intermediate roles needing a high school diploma and/or several weeks of job-specific training (e.g., machine operators, care providers).

International Graduates

Graduates from a recognized post-secondary institution in an Atlantic province are exempt from work experience requirements if they:

• Earned a 2-year degree, diploma, certificate, or trade/apprenticeship credential in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador.

• Received the credential within 2 years of applying.

• Studied full-time.

• Lived in an Atlantic province for at least 16 months in the 2 years before graduating.

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

2. Education: Meeting the Standards

Your education must align with your job offer’s TEER level:

• TEER 0 or 1: A one-year Canadian post-secondary credential or equivalent, verified by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).

• TEER 2, 3, or 4: A Canadian high school diploma or equivalent, verified by an ECA. For foreign education, submit an ECA report and a copy of your credential.

3. Language Skills: Communicating Confidently

Prove your proficiency in English or French via the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC):

• TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3: CLB/NCLC Level 5.

• TEER 4: CLB/NCLC Level 4, with employer support to reach Level 5. Submit test results from an IRCC-approved organization, less than 2 years old at application.

4. Settlement Funds: Planning Your Arrival

Unless you’re working in Canada with a valid work permit, show enough funds to support yourself and your family, based on family size (including non-immigrating dependents). Check official government guidelines for amounts.

5. Job Offer: Partnering with a Designated Employer

You need a job offer from a designated employer in an Atlantic province, meeting these criteria:

• Full-Time and Non-Seasonal: At least 30 hours a week, year-round.

• Duration:

  • TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3: At least 1 year from permanent residency.

  • TEER 4: Permanent, with no end date.

• Skill Level: Matches or exceeds your qualifying work experience TEER (except for international graduates or specific health care roles, e.g., nurse aides).

• Wages: Align with regional standards set by the federal government.

• Language: Requires only English or French.

• Ownership: The employer can’t be a company you or your spouse/common-law partner majority own.

Find designated employers via provincial websites for New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador. Your employer will provide an Offer of Employment to a Foreign National form (IMM 0157) for your settlement plan and application.

Getting an Employer Designated and Job Offer Endorsed

The AIP requires employers to be designated by the province and job offers to be endorsed before you can apply for permanent residence or a work permit. Across New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, the processes share common elements but have distinct requirements. Below, I’ve combined the shared criteria and listed province-specific differences for clarity.

Employer Designation: Common Requirements

To become a designated employer, businesses must:

• Operate in good standing, complying with employment and occupational health and safety laws.

• Have been in continuous operation for at least 2 years in an Atlantic province (or an approved location in some cases).

• Commit to supporting newcomers and their families through a designated settlement service provider.

• Complete mandatory onboarding training with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

• Complete intercultural competency training, unless exempted by the province.

• Not violate the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) or its Regulations (IRPR).

• Avoid recruiting workers to transfer them to other businesses.

Job Offer Endorsement: Common Requirements

To have a job offer endorsed, designated employers must:

• Prove unsuccessful local hiring efforts (e.g., job ads and reasons for not selecting Canadian candidates).

• Offer a full-time, non-seasonal job (minimum 30 hours/week) with regionally appropriate wages.

• Provide a co-signed job offer (typically IMM 0157 or a provincial equivalent).

• Submit a co-signed, individualized settlement plan from a designated provider.

• Provide candidate qualifications: work experience (e.g., reference letters), education (Canadian credentials or ECA), and language test results (CLB/NCLC 4 or 5, depending on TEER).

• Use immigration representatives/recruiters in good standing with a Canadian law society, Chambre des notaires du Québec, or the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, if applicable.

Province-Specific Differences

Here’s how the designation and endorsement processes differ across the four provinces:

• New Brunswick:

  • Designation: Employers contact WorkingNB for a workforce needs assessment. If immigration is suitable, Immigration New Brunswick (ImmigrationNB) guides the application. Businesses in approved non-Atlantic New Brunswick locations may qualify. Training exemptions are assessed during intake.

  • Endorsement: Submit applications to ImmigrationNB. No sector restrictions, but employers must show local hiring attempts failed and complete required training (unless exempted).

• Newfoundland and Labrador:

  • Designation: Managed by the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism (OIM). First-time endorsements require proof of training completion. A public list of designated employers is updated regularly.

  • Endorsement: Requires the federal IMM 5650 form, provincial Endorsement Application Form, candidate’s legal status (if in Canada), and notification to OIM when the candidate starts work. Endorsements may be denied for students with incomplete studies applying for TEER 4 roles or if fraud is detected in any provincial immigration program.

• Nova Scotia:

  • Designation: Employers provide labor needs details and commit to settlement support. The process is streamlined with no additional provincial forms beyond standard requirements.

  • Endorsement: Requires proof of failed local hiring, a co-signed job offer, and a settlement plan. Documentation is minimal compared to other provinces.

• Prince Edward Island (PEI):

  • Designation: Requires an online form and a Certificate of Legal Advice from a Canadian lawyer. Home-based businesses may be ineligible. Effective January 24, 2025, AIP applications are limited to healthcare, construction, and manufacturing sectors due to high demand and reduced federal allocations. Transport Truck Driver (NOC 73300) applications are not accepted; candidates should explore PEI’s Provincial Nominee Program.

  • Endorsement: Submit an online application with documents (e.g., IMM 0157, settlement plan, passports, education, language results, recruitment proof, PEI employment offer, candidate résumé) uploaded as one PDF via a secure link. A $230 IRCC Employer Compliance Fee applies for work permits. Approved employers forward the Certificate of Endorsement to the candidate.

Next Steps After Your Job Offer

With a job offer in hand, here’s how to proceed:

1. Gather Documents: Collect language test results, ECA (if needed), proof of funds (if required), work experience evidence, and checklist items (IMM 0155).

2. Secure a Settlement Plan: Work with a settlement service provider in your work region for a free plan to help you settle. French-speaking options are available. Ensure language training needs are addressed, especially for TEER 4 roles.

3. Obtain Endorsement: Your employer submits the Endorsement Application. If approved, you’ll get a Certificate of Endorsement for your application.

4. Apply for Permanent Residence: Submit your application online via the Permanent Residence Portal with forms like IMM 0008 and IMM 5669 (see guide IMM 0154). Provide biometrics after applying.

5. Optional Work Permit: Apply for a 2-year, employer-specific work permit to work during processing. Include the offer of employment number, provincial referral letter, and IMM 0156. Spouses/common-law partners may apply for an open work permit.

Tips for a Smooth Process

• Start Early: Prepare documents as soon as you have a job offer.

• Verify Employer Status: Ensure your employer is designated; if not, encourage them to apply.

• Hiring Transparency: Employers must show local hiring attempts failed and use reputable representatives.

• Double-Check: Use the checklist to confirm all documents are complete.

• Get Expert Help: A regulated immigration professional can streamline your application.

The AIP offers more than a job—it’s a chance to build a life in Atlantic Canada’s stunning landscapes and tight-knit communities. From Newfoundland’s rugged shores to Nova Scotia’s vibrant culture, these provinces blend opportunity with belonging. Supported by employers and settlement services, your path to permanent residency is both achievable and rewarding.

Ready to start? Visit the provincial websites to find designated employers, and begin preparing your application today. If you’d like personalized guidance, reach out to our trusted RCIC to help you navigate this exciting journey.

Schedule a Consultation with an authorized immigration consultant