Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a permanent federal immigration program that helps employers in Atlantic Canada hire skilled foreign workers and international graduates. It replaced the earlier Atlantic Immigration Pilot program. The Atlantic provinces are New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. If you want to qualify for the Atlantic Immigration Program, a valid full-time job offer from a designated employer is mandatory. No Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is required, but the job offer must come from an employer designated by the Atlantic province, which must provide a confirmation of designation and an Offer of Employment to a Foreign National form (IMM 0157). During the pilot, about 2,500 newcomers were welcomed to the Atlantic region in 2018, with a target of 4,000 for 2020. IRCC currently lists fees from $1,590 and processing times of about 26 months for the permanent program.
Atlantic Immigration Program Eligibility Requirements
Foreign National Requirements
Foreign nationals who want to immigrate to New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, or Prince Edward Island can apply for the Atlantic Immigration Program. First of all, an official job offer from a designated company or employer is required.
Secondly, the foreign national should meet the eligibility requirements of the program streams. There are three programs under the Atlantic Immigration Program. Each stream has different requirements. The following are the streams:
- Atlantic High-Skilled Program
- Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program
- Atlantic International Graduate Program
Atlantic High-Skilled Program
To qualify for this program, the candidate needs a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated employer in a NOC 2021 TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation, lasting at least 1 year from the time permanent residence is granted. The candidate must also meet these criteria:
Work Experience: At least 1,560 hours (about 30 hours per week for one year) of paid, related work experience in the past 5 years.
Education: A Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary credential, or a foreign equivalent assessed by an approved educational credential assessment organization.
Language Proficiency: An approved language test (IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada) showing at least CLB 5, taken within the last 2 years.
Proof of Funds: Enough money to support yourself and your family when you arrive — IRCC sets minimums by family size (currently $3,815 for one person, updated July 29, 2025). Proof of funds is not required if you are already working in Canada on a valid work permit.
Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program
To qualify for this program, the candidate needs a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated employer in a NOC 2021 TEER 4 occupation, for permanent employment with no set end date. The candidate must also meet these criteria:
Work Experience: At least 1,560 hours of paid, related work experience in the past 5 years, in TEER category 4 or higher.
Education: A Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary credential, or a foreign equivalent assessed by an approved educational credential assessment organization.
Language Proficiency: An approved language test (IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada) showing at least CLB 4, taken within the last 2 years.
Proof of Funds: Enough money to support yourself and your family when you arrive — IRCC sets minimums by family size (currently $3,815 for one person, updated July 29, 2025). Proof of funds is not required if you are already working in Canada on a valid work permit.
Atlantic International Graduate Program
Recent graduates of a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada may qualify without work experience if they have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated employer. The candidate must also meet these criteria:
Work Experience: No work experience
Education: A degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship certification of at least 2 years from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the 4 Atlantic provinces, received less than 2 years before applying; the applicant studied full-time and lived in an Atlantic province for at least 16 months of the last 2 years before graduating.
Language Proficiency: An approved language test (IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada) showing at least CLB 5, taken within the last 2 years.
Proof of Funds: Enough money to support yourself and your family when you arrive — IRCC sets minimums by family size (currently $3,815 for one person, updated July 29, 2025). Proof of funds is not required if you are already working in Canada on a valid work permit.
