Atlantic Immigration Program(AIP): A Fast Track Path to Permanent Residency in Canada’s East Coast

AIP is a fast track Immigration Program 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 Permanent Residency. Let’s talk about AIP eligibility and other important factors in this program.

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is federal immigration program that allows skilled workers and international graduates of eligible Atlantic DLI’s to settle permanently in one of four Canada’s Atlantic provinces. These four provinces are:

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

AIP is designed for Atlantic employers to foreign hire talent across the world to support its regional growth. AIP is permanent immigration program it’s not pilot program anymore.

• No LMIA required. You can get your work permit in AIP without LMIA.
• Medium processing time- Currently AIP processing time is 11 months.
• Direct pathway to PR via the support of the local employer.
• Easiest PR pathway programs for international graduates of Atlantic public institutions.
• Spouse open work permit and child permit options are available.

AIP is a best program for international students to 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 main requirement is permanent full time job offer from a designated employer plus you need to demonstrate your language proficiency (CLB 5 minimum 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 low 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, Acadia University, UPEI and more.

If you are inside Canada or outside Canada you can apply in AIP if you meet the requirements.

• 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 4-5. 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.

• 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. It’s a employer driven program.
• You receive endorsement certificate from the province.
• 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 to work while you wait for your PR decision.

The most important task in AIP process is that you have 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.