The Atlantic Immigration Pilot is a route to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates who want to stay and work in one of Canada’s four Atlantic Provinces: New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Edward Island.
In order to qualify for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, applicants must have a formal job offer. Usually, for an individual to obtain a Canadian job offer valid for immigration purposes, the applicant must obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
This is often not required for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program. Instead, the work offer must be from a delegated employer.
In 2018 the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program is geared towards welcoming a maximum of two thousand five hundred (2500) new immigrants to the Atlantic region, with targets increasing to 4,000 by 2020.
Initially a three-year pilot program, AIP has been extended until at least the month of December 2021.
There are 3 programs within the pilot that employers can hire you through. You’ll qualify for over 1 program, but you’re only permitted to apply through 1.
For all 3 programs, you will be asked to show proof that you meet the language, education, and work experience requirements and that you have sufficient money to support yourself and your family when you arrive in Canada.
Atlantic International Graduate Program
In general, you must:
- have a degree, diploma, or other credentials from a publicly funded institution in an Atlantic province
- have lived in an Atlantic province for a minimum of 16 months within the 2 years before obtaining your degree, diploma, or credential
- take a language test to prove and show you are able to communicate in English or French
- show you’ll support yourself and your family once you come to Canada
- Work experience isn’t required for international graduates hired through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot.
The employer must also meet certain requirements.
Atlantic High-Skilled Program
In general, you must:
- have worked during management, professional, or technical/skilled job for a minimum of a year
- have a minimum of a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent education
- take a language test to prove and show you are able to communicate in English or French
- show you’ll support yourself and your family once you arrive in Canada
The employer must also meet certain requirements.
Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program
In general, you must:
- have worked during a job that needs a high school education and/or job-specific training for a minimum of a year
- have a minimum of a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent education
- take a language test to prove and show you are able to communicate in English or French
- show you’ll support yourself and your family once you arrive in Canada
The employer must also meet certain requirements.
For all 3 programs, you will be required to prove and show that you have met the language, education, and work experience requirements and that you’ve got sufficient money to support yourself and your family once you arrive in Canada.
Designated Employer Requirements
Employers who are interested in participating in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program must apply to become designated employers.
As a designated employer, a business will have the authority to hire an individual of foreign nationality without obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Designated employers are required to help employees hired through the pilot with settlement in their province of residence.
Employer Designation
In order to hire an individual of foreign nationality through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, first, an employer must apply to be officially designated, so as to become designated, the employer may apply directly through the province where the business that they need to hire individuals of foreign nationality is found.
The employer will need to demonstrate that they’re in good standing with any provincial regulatory bodies. Also, they will have to submit an outline of their labour needs, including their purpose for hiring international workers.
Finally, designated employers must demonstrate that they have the capability to provide settlement supports to the workers they hire through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot.
In order to get applications to become a designated employer, businesses can consult the immigration webpages of the Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Edward Island.
