Permanent Residence
Atlantic Immigration Program
An employer-driven pathway to permanent residence in Canada's Atlantic provinces.
Overview
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a permanent pathway connecting skilled workers, and recent graduates of recognized post-secondary institutions in Atlantic Canada, with employers in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
It's employer-driven rather than points-based. The employer must first be designated by the province where the job is located, then make a job offer that meets the program's requirements. You obtain a settlement plan for yourself and your family through a settlement service provider, and the employer applies to the province to endorse the job offer. Only with that endorsement can you apply to IRCC for permanent residence.
Each province manages its own designations and endorsements, and program spaces are allocated each year, so availability can vary by province and sector. We confirm the current position before you rely on an offer.
Who may consider this: Workers with a qualifying job offer from a designated employer in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador.
Eligibility Considerations
- A valid job offer from an employer designated by the Atlantic province where the job is located
- Work experience or education matching the job offer's skill level
- Language test results meeting the program's minimum requirement
- An educational credential assessment, where education was obtained outside Canada
- A settlement plan for you and any accompanying family members
- An endorsement of the job offer from the province
How It Works
Employer & Offer Review
We confirm the employer is designated under AIP and the job offer meets program requirements.
Candidate Eligibility Check
We review your work experience, education, and language results against the program's criteria.
Settlement Plan
You connect with a settlement service provider, which prepares a settlement plan for you and your family.
Endorsement Application
You give the settlement plan to your employer, who applies to the province to endorse the job offer.
Permanent Residence Application
With the provincial endorsement certificate, you apply to IRCC for permanent residence.
Federal Processing
IRCC processes the application; if you need to start work sooner, a temporary work permit may be available with a support letter from the province.
Documents You May Need
Document requirements vary by applicant and pathway — not every applicant needs every item below. We confirm your specific list during an assessment.
- Valid job offer from a designated employer
- Proof of work experience or education matching the role
- Language test results
- Educational Credential Assessment, where required
- Settlement plan for you and any accompanying family members
- Provincial endorsement certificate
Common Issues to Watch For
These are presented to help you prepare, not to cause concern — most are avoidable with careful preparation.
- Working with an employer who isn't actually designated under the program
- A job offer that doesn't meet the minimum skill level or duration requirements
- Skipping or delaying the required settlement plan
- Incomplete endorsement application documentation from the employer side
- Assuming an endorsement is automatic when provincial spaces are limited
How We Help
- Confirm employer designation and job offer eligibility before relying on it
- Review your profile against AIP's specific requirements
- Coordinate the settlement plan and endorsement process with the employer
- Prepare the permanent residence application once endorsed
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to already be working for the employer?+
No, AIP can apply to a new job offer, but the employer must be designated and the offer must meet program requirements.
Can I work while my application is processing?+
Candidates who need to start work sooner may be able to apply for a temporary work permit, supported by a letter from the province, while the permanent residence application is processed.
Is a settlement plan really required?+
Yes. The employer's endorsement application must include a settlement plan for you and any accompanying family members, prepared with a settlement service provider.
Is the AIP still open?+
Yes, it's a permanent program, but each province manages designations and endorsements within its yearly allocation and may limit certain sectors at times. We confirm current availability before you apply.
The information on this website is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration policies, fees, processing times, and eligibility requirements change frequently. Please verify current requirements with official government sources or a qualified immigration professional before making decisions.