Permanent Residence
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
Employer-driven permanent residence for Atlantic Canada
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a federal-provincial initiative designed to help employers in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador attract and retain skilled foreign workers and international graduates. Unlike Express Entry, AIP is employer-driven: candidates must first secure a job offer from a designated employer before applying.
Program Streams
International Graduate Stream
For recent graduates of a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada. No minimum work experience required. Must have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated employer.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated Atlantic employer
- Skilled Worker Stream: at least one year of full-time skilled work experience (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) within the past five years
- International Graduate Stream: graduated from a recognized Atlantic post-secondary institution within the past two years; no minimum work experience required
- Language proficiency: CLB 4 minimum for TEER 2 and 3 positions; CLB 5 for TEER 0 and 1
- Candidates may be located outside Canada or already inside Canada with valid immigration status — both are eligible
- Must intend to live and work in the Atlantic province where the job offer is located
- Must meet admissibility requirements (no serious criminality, medical inadmissibility, etc.)
Key Facts
- Employer must be designated by the provincial government before making a job offer
- No cost to employers to become designated
- Candidates can apply for a temporary work permit while the PR application is processed
- Settlement plan required — employer must connect candidate with a settlement service provider
- Pathway available for candidates inside Canada with valid status or outside Canada — both are eligible with a valid job offer from a designated employer