Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): A Complete Guide for Newcomers

What Is the Atlantic Immigration Program?

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a Government of Canada immigration program created in partnership with the four Atlantic provinces. Originally launched as a pilot in 2017, the AIP became a permanent program in January 2022, reflecting its success in attracting and retaining newcomers to Atlantic Canada. The program is employer-driven, meaning that candidates must have a valid job offer from a designated employer in one of the four eligible provinces before they can apply. The AIP is distinct from other Canadian immigration programs in that it includes a mandatory settlement plan component, designed to help newcomers and their families integrate into their new communities.

The AIP addresses labour market shortages in Atlantic Canada by enabling employers to recruit internationally when they cannot find suitable Canadian citizens or permanent residents for available positions. For newcomers, the AIP offers a clear and relatively fast pathway to permanent residence in a region of Canada known for its natural beauty, welcoming communities, affordable living, and growing economic opportunities.

Eligible Provinces

The AIP is available in all four Atlantic Canadian provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Each province participates in the program and has the authority to endorse candidates for permanent residence. The job offer must be for a position located in one of these provinces, and the candidate must intend to live and work in that province.

Each Atlantic province has its own labour market needs and economic priorities, which influence the types of positions that designated employers are seeking to fill. For example, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have significant demand for healthcare workers, IT professionals, and skilled tradespeople. Prince Edward Island has demand in agriculture, food processing, and tourism. Newfoundland and Labrador has needs in healthcare, skilled trades, and natural resource industries. Understanding the labour market of your target province can help you identify opportunities and position yourself as a strong candidate.

Employer Designation

Before an employer can participate in the AIP, they must become a designated employer. Designation is a process through which the provincial government reviews the employer's operations, labour market needs, and commitment to supporting newcomers. To become designated, an employer must demonstrate that they have been unable to fill the position with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, that the position is genuine and full-time (or a valid contract for international graduates), and that they are committed to supporting the newcomer's settlement and integration in the community.

The designation process involves submitting an application to the relevant provincial government, which reviews the employer's eligibility and conducts an assessment. Once designated, the employer can offer positions to foreign nationals through the AIP. The designation is province-specific, meaning an employer in Nova Scotia must be designated by the Nova Scotia government, and so on. The list of designated employers is not always publicly available, so candidates often learn about AIP opportunities through job boards, settlement agencies, and direct outreach to employers.

Employer Responsibilities

Designated employers have specific responsibilities under the AIP. They must provide the newcomer with information about the job, the workplace, and the community. They must support the newcomer in accessing settlement services and completing their settlement plan. They must also commit to retaining the newcomer in the position and to treating them fairly and in accordance with Canadian labour laws. Employers found to be in violation of their designation conditions may lose their status and be barred from participating in the program.

The Settlement Plan

One of the unique features of the AIP is the mandatory settlement plan. Before a candidate can apply for permanent residence through the AIP, they must work with a designated settlement service provider organization to develop an individualized settlement plan. This plan is tailored to the needs of the candidate and their family and covers key aspects of integration such as language training, community connections, employment support, housing, education for children, and access to healthcare and social services.

The settlement plan is not a binding contract; it is a roadmap designed to help the newcomer and their family integrate successfully into their new community. The process of creating the plan involves a needs assessment, during which the settlement service provider identifies the supports and services that will be most beneficial. The settlement plan must be completed before the candidate submits their application for provincial endorsement.

Settlement service providers in Atlantic Canada include organizations such as the YMCA, immigrant settlement agencies, multicultural associations, and other community organizations funded by the federal and provincial governments. These services are free of charge. For newcomers arriving in New Brunswick, our Moncton newcomer guide provides information about settlement organizations in that region.

Eligibility Requirements for Candidates

To be eligible for the AIP, candidates must meet several requirements. First, you must have a valid job offer from a designated employer in one of the four Atlantic provinces. The job offer must be for a full-time, non-seasonal position (for skilled workers) or a position of at least one year (for international graduates). The position must be classified at skill level 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER system.

Second, you must meet the minimum work experience requirements. For the high-skilled worker category (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3), you must have at least one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in the past five years in an occupation at the same NOC TEER level as the position being offered. For the intermediate-skilled worker category (NOC TEER 4), you must have at least one year of relevant work experience. For international graduates of recognized Atlantic Canadian post-secondary institutions, there is no work experience requirement, but you must have completed a program of at least two years at a recognized institution in one of the four Atlantic provinces.

Language Requirements

Candidates must meet minimum language proficiency requirements. For positions at NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3, you must demonstrate a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 5 in English or Niveau de competence linguistique canadien (NCLC) level 5 in French. For positions at NOC TEER 4, a minimum CLB/NCLC level of 4 is required. Language proficiency must be demonstrated through an approved language test such as IELTS (General Training) for English or TEF Canada for French. Test results must be less than two years old at the time of application.

Education Requirements

If your education was obtained outside Canada, you must have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a recognized organization such as World Education Services (WES). The ECA must show that your foreign credential is equivalent to a Canadian secondary school (high school) credential or higher. If you are an international graduate applying under the international graduate stream, you must provide your Canadian diploma, degree, or certificate from the recognized Atlantic institution.

Provincial Endorsement

After you have a valid job offer, a completed settlement plan, and have confirmed that you meet all eligibility requirements, your designated employer will submit an application for provincial endorsement on your behalf to the relevant provincial government. The province reviews the application to confirm that the employer is in good standing, the job offer is genuine, the position meets labour market needs, and the candidate meets all program requirements.

If the application is approved, the province issues a Certificate of Endorsement, also known as a provincial endorsement letter. This document confirms that the province supports the candidate's application for permanent residence through the AIP. The endorsement is a critical step in the process, as the federal government will not process your permanent residence application without it. Processing times for endorsement vary by province but typically range from several weeks to a few months.

Applying for Permanent Residence

Once you have received your provincial endorsement, you can submit your application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Your application must include all required forms, supporting documents, and fees. Key documents include your provincial endorsement letter, job offer letter, language test results, Educational Credential Assessment, proof of work experience, settlement plan, identity documents (passport, photographs), police certificates, and medical exam results.

The application is submitted online through the IRCC portal. Application fees include the processing fee for the principal applicant and any accompanying family members, as well as the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF). As of 2026, the principal applicant processing fee is $850 CAD, and the RPRF is $515 CAD. Fees for dependants and spouses are additional. Check the IRCC AIP application page for the most current fee schedule.

Medical Exam and Police Certificates

All applicants for permanent residence, including accompanying family members, must complete a medical examination conducted by an IRCC-approved panel physician. The medical exam must be completed after you submit your application, and results are sent directly to IRCC by the physician. You must also provide police certificates from every country where you have lived for six months or more since the age of 18. Obtaining police certificates from some countries can take significant time, so begin this process early. The IRCC police certificate page provides country-specific instructions.

Processing Times

Processing times for AIP permanent residence applications vary depending on the volume of applications, the completeness of your submission, and the complexity of your case. As of early 2026, IRCC aims to process AIP applications within approximately 6 to 12 months from submission to final decision. However, processing times can be longer if additional documents are requested, if there are issues with your medical exam or police certificates, or if there is a backlog in the system.

You can check the status of your application online through the IRCC portal using the application number provided when you submitted. If your application has been pending for significantly longer than the posted processing times, you can contact IRCC through their web form or by phone. It is important to respond promptly to any requests for additional information, as delays in responding can extend processing times.

Work Permit While Waiting

If you need to begin working while your permanent residence application is being processed, you can apply for a work permit through the AIP work permit stream. This stream is designed to provide faster processing for AIP candidates who have a provincial endorsement and a valid job offer. The work permit allows you to work for the designated employer in the Atlantic province while your permanent residence application is being assessed. Your employer may need to provide a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption number as part of the work permit application.

After You Receive Permanent Residence

Once your permanent residence application is approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). If you are outside Canada, you will also receive a permanent resident visa (if applicable based on your nationality) that you will present at a Canadian port of entry. Upon landing as a permanent resident, you will receive your permanent resident card by mail within several weeks. As a permanent resident, you have the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada, though the AIP is designed to encourage newcomers to settle and remain in the Atlantic province where they were endorsed.

After arriving, your settlement plan will guide your integration activities. Continue working with your settlement service provider to access language training, community programs, and other supports. Register for provincial health coverage, open a Canadian bank account, apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN), and enrol your children in school. For step-by-step guidance on these tasks, review our first week in Canada checklist. Building credit is also important for your financial future in Canada; our guide on how to build credit covers the essentials.

Frequently Asked Questions About the AIP

Can I switch employers after receiving permanent residence through the AIP?

Yes. Once you are a permanent resident, you have the right to work for any employer anywhere in Canada. However, the AIP is designed to support retention in the Atlantic provinces, and your settlement plan and employer support are geared toward your designated community. Many newcomers choose to remain with their AIP employer and in their Atlantic community because of the relationships and support networks they have built.

Can my spouse work in Canada through the AIP?

Your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit while your permanent residence application is in process. An open work permit allows them to work for any employer in Canada. Check the IRCC website for current policies on spousal open work permits for AIP candidates.

Do I need a job offer before I apply?

Yes. The AIP is employer-driven, and a valid job offer from a designated employer is a mandatory requirement. You cannot apply to the AIP speculatively or without an employer. To find designated employers and AIP job opportunities, check Job Bank, provincial government job boards, and settlement agencies in the Atlantic provinces.

Getting Started with the AIP

The Atlantic Immigration Program offers a clear, supported pathway to permanent residence in one of Canada's most welcoming and affordable regions. If you have the skills and qualifications that Atlantic Canadian employers are seeking, the AIP can provide you with a job, a community, and a permanent home in Canada. Start by researching designated employers in your field, preparing your language test and credential assessment, and connecting with settlement organizations in your target province.

WelcomeAide is here to support your immigration journey to Atlantic Canada. Use our AI Newcomer Navigator for personalized guidance on the AIP and other immigration pathways, explore our blog for more newcomer guides, learn about our mission, or find out how to get involved in supporting newcomer communities across Canada.