What is the Atlantic Immigration Program? Requirement & Eligibility

Are you interested in applying for Canada Immigration in the Atlantic Canada region? So, The Atlantic Immigration Program is best for you! READ ON!

The Atlantic Immigration Program is a route to Canada PR for skilled foreign employees and international graduates who want to work and live in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland. 

You may also check: What are The Requirements for Canadian Express Entry?

What is the Atlantic Immigration Program?

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), which was established in 2017, has now brought in over 10,000 new permanent residents to Atlantic Canada. Atlantic Canada consists of four Canadian provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. 

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program was declared permanent on December 17, 2021, based on the pilot’s performance, and was renamed Atlantic Immigration Program. On January 1, 2022, the new permanent program will begin.

Hence, the Atlantic Immigration Program is a type of immigration program in which employers in Canada’s Atlantic provinces can hire immigrants. This program also allows you to apply for permanent residence.

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AIP- Eligibility Requirements 

To be eligible for the AIP, you must meet the following requirements:

• Unless you are an international student who graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada, you must have qualifying job experience.

• Meet the educational requirements

• Meet the language requirements

• Demonstrate that you have sufficient settlement cash. So, if you already have a valid work permit and are living and working in Canada, you do not need to present proof of settlement funds.

Work Experience

In the last five years, you must have worked at least 1,560 hours. 

• To determine your hours, do the following:

• Count the number of hours worked in full-time and part-time jobs.

• Only paid hours are counted. Volunteer or unpaid hours are not counted.

• Self-employed labor hours are not counted.

• You can track hours worked both in Canada and abroad. You must be legally permitted to work in Canada as a temporary resident.

• Count the number of hours accumulated over a minimum of 12 months.

• Work experience gained while studying can be counted as long as the hours worked meet the requirements of your study permit.

• Work experience must fall into a National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER category of 0, 1, or 2.

For International Graduates

International graduates from Canada are exempt from the work experience requirement if they:

• Must have a degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship certification from a recognized post-secondary institution in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador that took at least two years of study

• were full-time students throughout their education

• held the necessary visas or permits to work, study, or train while in Canada

• lived in one of the Atlantic provinces for at least 16 months in the two years preceding graduation

Education Requirements

• If you receive a NOC TEER category 0 or 1 offer, you must have a one-year post-secondary educational certificate or higher, or the equivalent outside of Canada.

• If you are applying for a position in NOC TEER category 2, 3, or 4, you must have a Canadian high school diploma or the equivalent outside of Canada.

Hence, if you studied outside of Canada, you must obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to prove that your studies meet the Canadian educational standards required for your employment offer. On the day IRCC receives your application, the ECA report must be less than 5 years old.

Language Requirements

• You must have a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level of 5 to be eligible for NOC TEER category 0 or 1 employment offers.

• CLB or NCLC level 4 is essential for NOC TEER category 2, 3, or 4 job offers.

Test results from a recognized language testing organization must be submit to IRCC. When you apply, the test results must be no more than two years old.

Requirements of Settlement Funds

• When you move to Canada, you must be able to demonstrate financial support for yourself and your family.

• The money required will be determined by the size of the family and must be shown even for family members who are not accompanying you to Canada.

IMPORTANT

If you are already working in Canada on a valid work permit, you do not need to produce any funds. 

The Atlantic Immigration Program Application Process

Step 1# The employer connects the candidate with a settlement service provider. The supplier will now undertake a needs assessment service to determine the best settlement plan for the candidate and his or her family.

Step 2# The chosen settlement plan is sent to both the company and the candidate.

Step 3# The employer completes the endorsement application and finds a program that matches the employee’s job experience. Hence, the province has been notified of the job offer and settlement plan.

Step 4# The candidate submits to the IRCC a completed permanent residency application. It is accompanied by the necessary documentation and an endorsement letter.

Step 5# The application is submitted; if approved, the candidate and the people are notified.

Make sure to check: Know Here! How Is Nova Scotia for Residence?

Frequently Asked Questions

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