Atlantic Immigration Program
This avenue to permanent residence is for skilled foreign workers and international graduates who want to work and live in Atlantic provinces.
What do you know about Atlantic Canada?
Atlantic Canada includes the provinces of :
New Brunswick, the capital city, is Moncton.
Newfoundland and Labrador, the capital city, is St. John's.
Nova Scotia's capital city is Halifax.
Prince Edward Island, the capital city, is Charlottetown.
Atlantic Canada comprises numerous rural communities and urban centers such as the Halifax Regional Municipality, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton, Charlottetown, and St. John’s.
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a federal immigration program that helps employers recruit skilled international workers and international graduates to meet labour needs.
How do the process works?
To be eligible to work in Canada while awaiting permanent residency, you must have a job offer from a designated employer that meets the program's requirements and a referral letter from the Atlantic province where you’ll be working.
To participate in the program, you must receive a job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada. You must be either a recent graduate of a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada or a skilled worker. You can be living abroad or in Canada as a temporary resident.
You do not need to meet the work experience requirements if you are an international graduate with a degree, diploma, certificate, or trade/apprenticeship certification that requires at least two years of study. This should be from a recognized post-secondary institution.
Who can apply?
The eligibility requirements for the Atlantic Immigration Program are as follows:
You must have qualifying work experience, unless you are an international graduate of a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada.
You need to meet or exceed the educational requirements.
Furthermore, you must also meet or exceed the language requirements.
When you arrive in Canada, you must demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself and your family.
You do not need to prove funds if you already live and work in Canada with a valid work permit.
You can start looking for a job with a designated Atlantic employer if you meet these requirements.
Can I work while applying for the Permanent Residency?
If you meet the requirements to apply for permanent residence, you may be eligible to apply for a temporary work permit. The work permit allows you to work while your permanent residence application is being processed. This work permit is only for the Atlantic Immigration Program, is valid for two years, and only allows you to work for the employer who offered you the job.
To be eligible for a work permit, it is essential to have a job offer from a designated employer that fulfills the program requirements, as well as a referral letter from the Atlantic province where you intend to work.
