The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a Canadian immigration pathway designed to help skilled foreign workers and international graduates relocate to Canada’s Atlantic provinces — New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador — by offering a streamlined route to permanent residence. It is an employer-driven program that supports both regional labour market needs and newcomers who want to build a life in smaller, welcoming communities with strong support networks and high quality of life.
FACTS Transcripts can assist applicants with preparing and organizing the documentation necessary for a successful AIP application, such as educational credential assessments, language test results, employment records, and supporting forms.
What Makes the Atlantic Immigration Program Unique?
The Atlantic Immigration Program differs from many other Canadian immigration options because it links employment with immigration status and offers a clear pathway to permanent residence for those who have a job lined up with a designated employer in an Atlantic province. Under this program:
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The employer must be designated under AIP before they can extend job offers to foreign candidates.
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Job offers must be full-time, non-seasonal, and permanent, meeting wage and occupation criteria established by the province.
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Settlement support services are provided to help newcomers and their families integrate into the community and labour market.
One of the biggest advantages of the AIP is that an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) is not required, which simplifies and accelerates the hiring and immigration process compared with many other programs.
How the AIP Works: Step by Step
1. Securing a Job Offer from a Designated Employer
The first and most critical step is to receive a job offer from an employer that is designated by the Atlantic province where you intend to work. Employers must complete an application and meet provincial requirements before they can be eligible to make job offers under AIP.
Once designated, employers can recruit foreign candidates for jobs they have been unable to fill locally. The job offer must:
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Be in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) category TEER 0–4 (skilled to intermediate work levels).
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Be full-time and non-seasonal.
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Offer wages that satisfy provincial standards and requirements.
FACTS Transcripts can help applicants organize their professional resumes, work history records, and documentation to support eligibility for the job offer and program criteria.
2. Provincial Endorsement
After a job offer has been made, the employer and candidate prepare an endorsement application to the Atlantic province where the job is located. This includes creating an individualized settlement plan outlining how the candidate — and any family members — will settle into the province’s community, access services, find housing, and obtain language or employment support.
Once the province reviews everything and approves, a provincial endorsement certificate is issued. This endorsement is a core part of the AIP process and a prerequisite for the permanent residence application.
3. Applying for Permanent Residence
With the endorsement certificate in hand, the next step is to apply for permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This application includes supporting documents such as:
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Provincial endorsement certificate
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Proof of work experience
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Educational credential assessment (ECA) for foreign qualifications
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Language test results (in English or French)
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Settlement funds documentation
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Identity and admissibility documents (such as passport pages and police certificates)
FACTS Transcripts can assist applicants by organizing these documents and helping to assemble complete and consistent application packages ready for submission to IRCC.
4. Work Permit Option
While the permanent residence application is being processed, candidates may be eligible to apply for a work permit based on their job offer and provincial endorsement. This allows them to start working in their job role sooner while waiting for the final PR decision. Not everyone will qualify for this option; eligibility depends on individual circumstances and IRCC rules.
5. Arrival, Settlement, and Integration
Once the permanent residence application is approved, candidates can move to Atlantic Canada with their families. They then connect with settlement service providers for additional support with housing, healthcare enrolment, community resources, language training, and employment transition support. The aim is to help newcomers integrate successfully into their communities and workplaces.
Eligibility Requirements for Candidates
To be eligible under the Atlantic Immigration Program, applicants must meet a series of criteria related to employment, education, language, and settlement readiness:
Valid Job Offer
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The job must be full-time, non-seasonal, and from a designated AIP employer in one of the Atlantic provinces.
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It must align with the applicant’s skill level as defined by NOC TEER categories.
Work Experience
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For most skilled worker streams, at least one year of full-time work experience in the same occupation as the job offer is needed, typically within the last five years.
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International graduates from Atlantic Canadian institutions with appropriate residency, study duration, and permit history may be exempt from this work experience requirement.
Education
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A minimum high school diploma or equivalent is required for most jobs, with higher educational qualifications needed for certain occupations.
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Foreign education must be validated via an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a recognized agency to ensure it is equivalent to Canadian standards.
Language Proficiency
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Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English or French via IRCC-approved tests with minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels — typically CLB 4 to 5 depending on the job skill level.
Proof of Funds
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You must show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family when you arrive in Canada unless you are already working in Canada on a valid work permit.
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Funds requirements vary based on family size and are periodically updated by IRCC.
Key Streams Within the Atlantic Immigration Program
The AIP generally accommodates applicants under two broad categories:
International Graduates
This stream supports graduates from recognized post-secondary institutions in Atlantic Canada. To qualify, graduates must:
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Have completed a program of at least two years of full-time study.
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Have lived in the Atlantic province for a minimum period during their studies.
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Hold a valid visa or permit for study, work, or training.
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Meet other program criteria such as job offer and endorsement.
Skilled Workers
Skilled worker applicants are typically individuals with solid work experience, a valid job offer, appropriate education, and language proficiency. They must meet the work experience and job offer requirements outlined above.
What to Expect in 2025
Recent updates indicate that total allocations for the AIP may decrease in 2025 as part of broader immigration planning in Canada, which could result in slower processing times and increased inventories of applications. This is linked to targets set out under Canada’s annual immigration levels planning.
Additionally, there have been changes in settlement fund requirements for this and other economic immigration programs, meaning applicants must demonstrate higher financial resources to support themselves and their families.
Planning Your AIP Journey With FACTS Transcripts
Applying under the Atlantic Immigration Program requires careful planning, accurate documentation, and understanding of federal and provincial requirements. FACTS Transcripts offers end-to-end support to applicants by ensuring that:
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Educational credentials are professionally evaluated and documented.
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Language test results are properly organized.
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Employment records and job offers are documented in line with program criteria.
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Proof of funds and other essential supporting documents are correctly formatted and submitted.
Whether you are an international graduate or a skilled worker, FACTS Transcripts helps you prepare a comprehensive and compliant application package to improve your chances of success.
Final Thoughts
The Atlantic Immigration Program offers a compelling gateway to permanent residence in Canada’s Atlantic region for eligible skilled workers and international graduates. With its employer-driven model, work permit options while waiting for PR, and supportive settlement services, AIP provides a structured path to a new life in Canada’s welcoming Atlantic provinces.
Planning ahead and preparing thorough documentation is essential. With expert assistance from FACTS Transcripts, applicants can confidently navigate the AIP process and take meaningful steps toward achieving their immigration and career goals in Canada.
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