Regional Immigration
Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) helps employers in Atlantic Canada hire qualified candidates who want to immigrate and international graduates who want to stay after graduation.
Atlantic Canada Provinces
Nova Scotia
Halifax
- Ocean lifestyle
- Growing tech sector
- Affordable housing
New Brunswick
Fredericton / Moncton
- Bilingual (EN/FR)
- Low cost of living
- Family-friendly
Prince Edward Island
Charlottetown
- Smallest province
- Tight-knit community
- Natural beauty
Newfoundland & Labrador
St. John's
- Unique culture
- Oil & gas industry
- Stunning landscapes
Current AIP Eligibility
The permanent Atlantic Immigration Program serves skilled workers and recent graduates who meet the current federal and provincial requirements.
Designated Employer and Job Offer
- Full-time job offer of at least 30 paid hours per week
- Non-seasonal position from a designated Atlantic employer
- TEER 0-3: offer lasts at least 1 year after becoming a permanent resident
- TEER 4: permanent offer with no set end date
Ideal for: Candidates with a qualifying offer in one of the four Atlantic provinces
Skilled Worker Requirements
- At least 1,560 paid, non-self-employed hours over at least 1 year in the past 5 years
- CLB/NCLC 5 for a TEER 0-3 offer; CLB/NCLC 4 for TEER 4
- TEER 0-1 offer: Canadian 1-year post-secondary credential or foreign equivalent
- TEER 2-4 offer: Canadian high school credential or foreign equivalent; foreign credentials need an ECA under 5 years old
Ideal for: Skilled workers who meet the work, language and education rules
Recent Atlantic Graduate Exemption
- No qualifying work experience required if every graduate-exemption condition is met
- Eligible credential of at least 2 years from a recognized Atlantic institution, received less than 2 years before applying
- Full-time student who lived in Atlantic Canada for at least 16 months during the final 2 years before graduation
- Required temporary status maintained; job offer, language, education, funds and other AIP rules still apply
Ideal for: Recent graduates who meet all IRCC exemption conditions
Always verify the latest rules on the official IRCC Atlantic Immigration Program page.
Why Choose the Atlantic Program?
Current Processing Times
Processing times vary. Check IRCC’s current processing-time tool before applying.
Settlement Support
Mandatory settlement plan helps you integrate into your new community.
Employer-Driven
Job offer required means you have employment waiting for you.
Settlement Funds
Funds depend on family size. Applicants already working in Canada with a valid work permit are exempt.
Application Process
Find Employer
Get job offer from designated employer
Settlement Plan
Get a free plan from an approved settlement provider
Get Endorsement
Employer asks the province to endorse the job offer
Apply PR
Submit PR application to IRCC
Optional Work Permit
A provincial referral may support a 2-year employer-specific permit
Start Your Atlantic Journey
Let us help you find an employer and navigate the Atlantic Immigration Program.