Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

It is a federal immigration program that aids in the recruitment of international graduates and skilled foreign workers by employers to fill open positions. The pilot program, which ran from 2017 to 2021, kept a number of the elements that contributed to its success, including a focus on employers, improved settlement assistance, and a cooperative strategy among the four Atlantic Provinces. These elements are carried over into the permanent program. It for those who want to work and live in 1 of Canada’s 4 Atlantic provinces

• New Brunswick
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island
• Newfoundland and Labrador

It is organised and led by business owners with the goal of assisting them in locating qualified applicants for positions in Atlantic Canada that they have been unable to fill locally. To take part in the programme, you must get a job offer from an organisation recognised by Atlantic Canada.

You must be one of the following to be eligible for immigration through this scheme to Atlantic Canada:

• a recent graduate of a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada, or
• a skilled worker

You could already be a temporary resident of Canada or you could already be living somewhere else.

Eligibility to the AIP Program

IRCC changed to the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) on November 16, 2022. (Versus the 2016 version). This implies:

A 6-category system describing the training, education, experience, and responsibilities (TEER) required to operate in an employment has replaced the NOC 2016 skill type and skill level framework (NOC 0, A, B, C, and D) (TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5).

The four-digit NOC codes have been upgraded to five.

If you want to be a part of the Atlantic Immigration Program, you must

• Have relevant job experience, unless you are an international graduate from an Atlantic Canada-recognized post-secondary institution.
• Fulfil or surpass the academic requirements
• Satisfy or surpass the language requirements
• Demonstrate that you will be able to support yourself and your family once you arrive in Canada.

You don't have to provide documentation if you already have a work permit that allows you to live and work in Canada.

If you are in compliance with all of these conditions, you can begin seeking for employment with an Atlantic employer.

Employer designation

In order to be designated, employers who seek to use the program's skilled immigrants must submit an application to the relevant province(s). Employers with facilities spread across many provinces will require a special identification for each one. Businesses are required to abide by strict guidelines, which include a commitment to help the immigrant and his or her family settle into life in Atlantic Canada.

Candidate Requirements

In order to qualify for the AIP, you must:

• Unless you are an international student who has graduated from an accredited post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada, you must have relevant work experience.
• satisfy the educational requirements
• satisfy the language requirement
• Prove you have adequate money for the compensation. If you already have a work permit and are residing and working in Canada, you do not need to provide evidence of settlement funds.

If you satisfy all of the aforementioned requirements, you can begin your job search with a designated Atlantic Canada employer.

Work experience

The past five years must have included at least 1,560 hours of labour for you.

To figure out your hours:

• Time worked at both full-time and part-time occupations is counted.
• Count only hours that have been paid. Never include volunteer or unpaid time.
• Do not include hours worked as a freelancer.
• Hours worked both domestically and overseas might be tallied. To work lawfully in Canada as a temporary resident, you must have had the proper authorization.
• Add up the number of hours you worked throughout at least a 12-month period.
• As long as the hours worked adhere to the guidelines of your study permit, you may count any work experience you accrued while enrolled in school.

A National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER category of 0, 1, 2, or 3 must apply to the work experience.

Your employment experience must include all of the duties and responsibilities that are specified in your NOC's job description.

International Graduate

If you are an overseas graduate who has met the requirements for work experience, you do not need to

Possessed the necessary documentation to work, study, or pursue training while in Canada.

During the two years prior to graduation, you spent at least 16 months living in one of the following provinces.

• New Brunswick
• Nova Scotia
• Newfoundland and Labrador or
• Prince Edward Island

Was a full-time student during your entire academic career

Possesses a degree, diploma, certificate, trade qualification, or apprenticeship that

• comes from one of the four Atlantic provinces' reputable post-secondary institutions (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador)
• required at least two years of study

Educational requirements

You need one of the following:

• If you have a job offer in the NOC 2021 TEER 0 or 1 category, you must possess a Canadian postsecondary degree or its equivalent from outside Canada, or one that is at least one year long.
• A Canadian high school diploma, or its equivalent from outside Canada, is required if you have a job offer in the NOC 2021 TEER 2, 3, or 4 category.

To verify that your studies are on par with or beyond the level of education required for your job offer, you must have an educational credential assessment (ECA) if you studied outside of Canada.

• The date we receive your application must be fewer than five years from the date of your ECA report.

Language requirements

In order to accept your job offer, you must meet the minimal language standards based on the NOC 2021 TEER category.

Your application must be accompanied by the results of a designated language testing company. When you apply, these outcomes must be no older than two years.

This can either be the

• Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or
• Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC)

The minimum language requirements for each NOC 2021 TEER category are

• CLB/NCLC 5 for TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3
• CLB/NCLC 4 for TEER 4

Settlement funds

When you arrive in Canada, you must have enough cash to support both you and your family. Your required quantity will vary based on the size of your family. Any person you support but who isn't coming to the country with you counts as part of your family as well.

You don't have to provide evidence of finances if you are already residing and working in Canada on a valid work permit.