The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a permanent, fast track Immigration pathway created to attract skilled immigration to Canada’s east coast. If you are an international student or temporary foreign worker in Canada, AIP can be your path to Canadian Permanent Residency (PR).
What is AIP and Why Was It Launched?
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is federal immigration program that allows skilled workers and international graduates from Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in Atlantic Canada to settle permanently in one of four participating provinces:
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
- Newfoundland and Labrador
AIP was designed for Atlantic employers to hire foreign talent to fill labor market gaps and support the region’s demographic and economic growth. Originally launched as a pilot, AIP now has become permanent program.
Key Benefits of Atlantic Immigration Program
- No LMIA required: You can get your work permit in AIP without LMIA.
- Medium processing time: The average AIP processing time is 11 months.
- Direct PR pathway: You can get PR with the support of local Atlantic employer.
- Ideal for international graduates: Easiest PR program for International Students of Atlantic Canada public institutions
- Spousal benefits: In this program you have the option available for spousal open work permit and child study permit.
AIP for International Students
AIP is a best program for international students to study in Canada and get permanent residency.
If you graduate from one of public Atlantic Canada Institution and your program is of at least 16 months (2 years), you can file your PR directly without waiting for any work experience.
The primary requirement is a permanent full time job offer from a designated employer plus you need to demonstrate that you meet language proficiency (minimum CLB 5 in English or French).
Proof of funds are exempt if you are employed in Canada. You must study for 2 years from public Atlantic Canada institution.
International students who wish to study in Canada choose Atlantic Canada as tuition costs are lower and you can become PR directly after completion of your 2 years of studies from public DLI’s.
Some reputed universities in Atlantic Canada are Dalhousie University (Nova Scotia), Acadia University (Nova Scotia), University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), Memorial University of Newfoundland and more.
AIP for Skilled Foreign Workers
Whether you are inside Canada or outside Canada, you can apply in AIP Skilled Worker Program if you meet the following requirements:
Eligibility for Skilled Workers in AIP:
- A full time, non seasonal job offer in an eligible NOC TEER 0,1,2,3, or 4.
- At least 1 year of relevant work experience in the last 5 years.
- Valid Language Test Results(IELTS/CELPIP or TEF/TCF) with CLB 4 to 5. Test results expire after 2 years.
- High school diploma or equivalent. No ECA needed if you have Canadian post secondary or higher education.
- Settlement Funds needed for out of Canada applications but not needed if you are working in Canada on work permit.
It’s very important that you check that your profession/job is eligible for endorsements from the Canadian Atlantic Province. The current trend is Provinces are favoring Healthcare, Construction trades and Childcare workers over others. This means if you are employed in these target sectors you have more probability of getting permanent residency.
AIP Process from Endorsement to Permanent Residency
- Get a full time job offer from a designated employer and check if your province is accepting endorsement applications in your field.
- Your employer will complete the endorsement process and submit to province. It’s a employer driven program.
- You receive endorsement certificate from the province after approval. It has expiry date, apply before this date.
- You gather all of your required documents for e.g. work experience letter, pay slips, English Language Test, ECE(may be exempt), Birth Certificate, Translation certificates(if required) and more.
- Apply Permanent Residency via IRCC.
- You can apply for work permit (optional) to work while you wait for your PR decision.
The most important task in AIP process is that you have to find an Atlantic Employer who supports you in the endorsement process plus you have to contact the Provincial government to check if they are still accepting applications in that specific field or not.
Mostly now days Province are not accepting Restaurants and Retail sectors applications. You must contact the province to know more on it. The good thing is that on open work permit you change your employer and job to become eligible for permanent residency depending upon the provincial government requirements.
Final Thoughts
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is Canada’s most easy and straightforward immigration program to get Canadian permanent residency without worrying about any score system. Skilled people of any age can get permanent residency in this program plus eligible international graduates don’t even need any work experience to become eligible.