AIP (Atlantic Immigration Program)

The Atlantic Immigration Program offers a route to permanent residency for proficient foreign workers and graduates from Canadian institutions who aspire to settle and work in one of Canada's four Atlantic provinces, i.e.

• New Brunswick,
• Nova Scotia,
• Prince Edward Island, or
• Newfoundland and Labrador

This initiative assists employers in recruiting skilled individuals for positions that have remained vacant within the local workforce.

Canada immigration via the Atlantic Immigration Program

Embark on a journey towards permanent residency through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), designed for skilled foreign workers and international graduates seeking opportunities to work and settle in one of Canada's four vibrant Atlantic provinces.

Atlantic Immigration Program Processing Time

Embark on your path to permanent residency with a streamlined processing time of approximately 6 months*. Please note, this timeframe excludes the duration required for biometric submission.

Note: Processing times may vary based on individual circumstances and application volume.

Atlantic Immigration Program Fees

Invest in your future with the Atlantic Immigration Program. The application fee starts from $1,365, reflecting an adjustment effective April 30, 2022. This fee encompasses the comprehensive support and services offered throughout the application process, ensuring a smooth transition to your new life in the Atlantic region.

A depiction of Canada showcasing the Eastern coast, with the Atlantic provinces—Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick—prominently highlighted.

This initiative is employer-centric, aiming to support businesses in Atlantic Canada by facilitating the recruitment of qualified professionals to fill vacancies that remain unfilled within the local job market. Participation in the program requires obtaining a job offer from an employer designated within Atlantic Canada.

To qualify for immigration through this program, candidates must fall into one of the following categories:

• Recent graduates of accredited post-secondary institutions located in Atlantic Canada.
• Skilled workers with relevant expertise and experience.

Applicants may either reside abroad or be temporary residents within Canada.

Eligibility Criteria for Atlantic Immigration Program Applicants

To qualify for the Atlantic Immigration Program, candidates must:

• Possess qualifying work experience, unless designated as an international graduate from a recognized post-secondary institution within Atlantic Canada.
• Meet or exceed the educational prerequisites.
• Fulfil or surpass the language proficiency criteria.
• Demonstrate sufficient financial means to support themselves and their family upon arrival in Canada. If already residing and working in Canada with a valid work permit, proof of funds is not required.

Work Experience

Over the past 5 years, applicants must have accrued a minimum of 1,560 hours of work, equivalent to the annual hours of a 30-hour workweek. Calculation of hours entails:

• Inclusion of both part-time and full-time employment hours.
• Consideration of only compensated work hours, excluding voluntary work or unpaid internships.
• Exclusion of self-employment hours.
• Consideration of legally authorized work hours within or outside Canada as a temporary resident.
• Accumulation of work experience over a period of at least 12 months.
• Inclusion of work experience acquired during studies, provided it falls within authorized limits.

This work experience should align with one of the following National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) categories:

• TEER 0 (management positions such as restaurant or mine managers)
• TEER 1 (professional roles typically requiring a university degree, such as doctors, dentists, or architects)
• TEER 2 (technical and skilled trades roles necessitating at least 2 years of college or apprenticeship, or roles with supervisory or safety responsibilities like police officers and firefighters)
• TEER 3 (technical and skilled trades roles requiring less than 2 years of college or apprenticeship, or over 6 months of on-the-job training)
• TEER 4 (intermediate roles typically requiring high school education and/or several weeks of job-specific training, such as industrial butchers, long-haul truck drivers, or food and beverage servers)

International Graduates

Work experience requirements are waived for international graduates who:

• Hold a degree, diploma, certificate, or trade/apprenticeship certification requiring at least 2 years of study.
• Graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the four Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador).
• Were full-time students throughout their studies.
• Resided in one of the aforementioned provinces for at least 16 months during the last 2 years prior to graduation.
• Possessed the necessary visa or permit for work, study, or training while in Canada.

Educational Requirements:

Candidates must possess one of the following:

• For job offers falling under NOC 2021 TEER 0 or 1 categories, a Canadian post-secondary educational credential of at least one year or its equivalent from outside Canada.
• For job offers under NOC 2021 TEER 2, 3, or 4 categories, a Canadian high school diploma or its equivalent from outside Canada.

If studies were completed outside Canada, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is required to confirm equivalency to the required education level for the job offer.

Language Requirements

Applicants must meet minimum language proficiency standards based on the NOC 2021 TEER category associated with the job offer, as follows:

• Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 5 for TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
• CLB/NCLC 4 for TEER 4.

Results from a designated language testing organization, valid for less than 2 years at the time of application, must be submitted.

Settlement Funds

Sufficient funds must be demonstrated to support the applicant and their family upon arrival in Canada, varying based on family size. Family size includes individuals the applicant supports who are not immigrating with them. Further details on required funds are available, and if already residing and working in Canada with a valid work permit, proof of funds is not necessary.

To apply for immigration to Canada through appropriate immigration program, you may call Visas Avenue immigration Advisor and expert on  Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or you can drop us an e-mail at info@visasavenue.com.