Atlantic Immigration Program: A Pathway to PR in Canada

In driving its economic growth and addressing labour market needs, Canada has long recognized the importance of immigration. The country's immigration policies are designed to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and professionals worldwide to contribute to its diverse workforce and economy.

In the past few years, the Canadian government has introduced several new immigration programs, such as the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), addressing local labour shortages and encouraging immigrants to settle in areas outside major cities, where their skills are in demand.

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a recent immigration pathway enabling individuals to relocate to the Eastern provinces of Canada. This program assists employers in recruiting qualified candidates for job positions they have been unable to fill locally.

Let us take a detailed look at the AIP and its significance in the immigration process.

Atlantic Immigration Program

The Atlantic Immigration Program is a federal initiative designed to assist skilled foreign workers and international students who have completed their studies in Canada. This program allows them to find employment in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces: Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, or Newfoundland and Labrador. It serves as a pathway for eligible individuals to build their careers and settle in these specific regions of Canada.

Eligibility Criteria for the Atlantic Immigration Program

• Skilled individuals in Canada or abroad and recent graduates from recognized post-secondary institutions in Atlantic Canada are eligible for the AIP.
• A valid job offer in any of Canada's Atlantic provinces from an authorised employer is mandatory to join the program.
• Meeting specific criteria for work experience, education, language skills, and demonstrating sufficient financial resources for self-support and family in Canada are essential.
• Meeting requirements for work experience, education, language skills, and showcasing financial stability to support yourself and your family in Canada are also necessary.

Work Experience Criteria in the AIP

You must meet the following criteria to be eligible for AIP

• Hours of Employment: You need at least 1,560 work hours within the last five years. This equates to around 30 hours per week for one year and can include both full-time and part-time employment, including hours worked while studying.
• Occupation Classification: Your work should fall under TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4  in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). Your work experience should align with the specific job duties outlined for that NOC.
• Paid Work Experience: Your work experience must be paid. Unpaid internships, volunteer work, and self-employment will not be considered as part of the requirement.

For international students who studied in Canada

• You are exempted from the work experience criteria if you have completed at least a two-year degree, diploma, certificate, or trade/apprenticeship certification from a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada.
• You should have been a full-time student throughout your study program.
• Lived in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, or Newfoundland and Labrador for at least 16 months in the last two years before graduation.
• Maintain legal status in Canada with a valid study or work visa or permit.

Educational qualifications for AIP

• For NOC TEER 0 or 1 jobs: You need a minimum of a one-year Canadian post-secondary educational credential or its foreign equivalent if your job falls under this category.
• For NOC TEER 2, 3, or 4 jobs: If your job belongs to this category, you must possess at least a Canadian high school diploma or its foreign equivalent to qualify for the AIP.

Language skill requirement

Your job offer's NOC category determines the language criteria, evaluated for English through Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) and Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) for French proficiency.

• For a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations, you need at least a CLB/NCLC 5.
• For a NOC TEER 4 occupation, you must have at least a CLB/NCLC 4.

Proof of Funds

You need sufficient funds to support yourself and your family during your initial months in Canada. The required settlement funds depend on your family size, regardless of whether they relocate with you.

You do not need to provide financial proof if you are employed in Canada with a valid work permit. It is crucial to verify the current amounts on the government's website before applying.

Eligibility Criteria for Job Offers under AIP

To apply for the Atlantic Immigration Program, you will need a job offer from an approved employer in one of the four Atlantic provinces. You can check the provincial websites for a list of authorized employers and available job openings. To qualify for the AIP, your job offer needs to satisfy specific requirements: 

• The job offer must be for a full-time position involving at least 30 hours of paid work per week.
• The job must be non-seasonal, providing consistent and regular work throughout the year.
• For National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes falling under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3, the job offer must be for at least one year after becoming a permanent resident.
• For NOC TEER 4, permanent job offer without a specific end date.
• Your job offer cannot be from a company where you or your spouse owns the majority share.
• The job offer must align with or be of a higher skill level than your qualifying work experience. There might be exceptions for international graduates and specific positions within the healthcare sector.
• If you receive a job offer from a designated Atlantic employer, you will likely be asked to sign an Offer of Employment to a Foreign National Form. You should retain a copy of this form for your PR application. Additionally, you will need a copy of the employer's Confirmation of Designation.

Note: Ensure that the job offer meets these specific criteria to qualify under the AIP program for PR in Canada's Atlantic provinces. Additionally, keeping track of any updates or changes to the program's requirements is advisable, as immigration policies might undergo revisions.

Essential documents for PR via AIP

Start gathering these essential documents early to prevent any potential delays in your PR application through the AIP.

1. Language Proficiency Test Results

• All applicants must undertake approved English, French, or both language tests, even if they have studied in Canada.
• Ensure your CLB/NCLC scores meet the minimum language requirements specified by your job offer.

2. Education Credential Assessment (ECA)

• For education acquired outside Canada, an ECA is necessary to verify that your credentials align with or surpass the required level for your NOC.

3. Proof of Work Experience

• Provide employer reference letters, work contracts, or pay stubs as your qualifying work experience. If you have previously worked in Canada, include copies of your work permit and T4 tax slips. Note: Graduates from designated institutions in Atlantic Canada get an exemption from work experience requirements.

4. Proof of Settlement Funds

• If not currently employed in Canada on a valid work permit, submit bank statements or financial documentation to show you have adequate funds to support yourself and your family while staying in Canada.

5. Offer of Employment to a Foreign National - AIP (IMM 0157)

• The designated employer will complete this form, providing you with a copy

6. Use of Representative (IMM 5476), if applicable

• If utilizing an immigration consultant or representative, complete this form for submission.

7.  Proof of Temporary Residence Status

• If you already reside in Canada, include a copy of your current work or study permit.

8. Other Personal Documents

• Include additional documents such as birth certificates, marriage or divorce certificates, and other pertinent personal identification records.

9. Police certificates

• Obtain a criminal background check from local law enforcement authorities as part of your application requirements.

Settlement Plan for AIP Applicants

Upon securing a job offer from an employer in Atlantic Canada through the AIP, creating a settlement plan becomes vital

• Settlement Service Provider Selection:

Your designated employer may suggest settlement service providers. Alternatively, if you are in or outside Canada, choose a government-listed settlement service provider based on your location.

• Personalized Settlement Plan:

The chosen settlement service provider evaluates your assets and needs, creating a tailored settlement plan. This plan is designed to assist your transition to life in Canada and acquaint you with available free services in your new community.

• Sharing Settlement Plan:

Share a copy of your settlement plan with your employer. They will include it in their endorsement application and send it to the province. When you move to Canada, keep a copy with you for reference and continuity in settling down.

Please note that settlement service providers do not assist in job placement in Canada. Contact them once you have received a formal job offer from a designated Atlantic employer.

Certificate of Endorsement

After preparing your settlement plan, your employer must have your job offer endorsed by the province. You will need this endorsement before submitting your permanent residence application. Once approved, you will get a Certificate of Endorsement to be included with your PR application. 

Pay the application fees 

Before submitting your PR application, carefully review the instruction guide and document checklist (IMM 0155). Ensure accurate and honest completion of all required sections.

Before submission, pay the application fees, including the biometrics fee. This can be done online using your email address and a debit or credit card. Attach a copy of the receipt to the completed application.

How to Submit a PR application?

You have multiple options to submit your permanent residence application: online, by regular mail, or via courier.

1. Mail/ Courier Option: Follow the government's guidelines when mailing or using a courier service for your application. Do not forget to include your payment receipt with the printed and signed application.
2. Online Application: Register on the PR online application portal, digitally fill out forms (IMM 0008, IMM 5669, IMM 5406, IMM 5562), and upload additional forms in PDF format. Hand signatures are generally unnecessary unless specified. Applying online may offer faster processing times and ease of use.

Process After Submitting PR Application

After submitting your application, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will review it. If everything is in order, they will process it and provide you with an IRCC office file number along with further instructions. An IRCC officer will carefully assess your application against selection standards and reach a decision. At this stage, you may receive instructions to undertake a medical test at an authorized centre in your country.

Once approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). If you are outside Canada, IRCC will guide you on submitting biometrics and obtaining a visa stamp on your passport. Upon arrival in Canada, your PR card will be mailed a few weeks later.

Temporary Work Permit option while awaiting PR approval

The processing and approval of your PR application may take some time. However, you might be eligible to apply for a temporary work permit in Canada while you wait for your PR application response.

This special permit is exclusive to Atlantic Immigration Program applicants. It allows you to work for a specific employer in Atlantic Canada who offered you a job. Its validity is for one year, so you must apply for your PR within 90 days of getting this permit.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you will need:

1. Valid job offer in Atlantic Canada from an authorised employer.
2. Referral letter from the province where you will work.
3. Other essential documents, including language test results, educational credentials, and proof of work experience.

Obtaining a temporary work permit while waiting for your PR application to be processed is not mandatory. However, if you decide to accept a job offer from an employer in Atlantic Canada and plan to start working before your PR gets approved, you will need a work permit.

Application fees for AIP

The fee for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot is CAD 1,365 for each adult applicant. This covers a CAD 850 application processing fee and a CAD 515 fee for permanent residence rights. For families applying together, there is an added charge of CAD 230 per dependent child.

Additionally, there is a biometrics fee of CAD 85 per individual or CAD 170 per family, and medical examination costs differ based on the country.

Processing Time for AIP applications

The processing time for PR applications under the AIP program is currently estimated at 12 months, as outlined on the Canadian government's website. However, this duration may vary due to various factors, including the completeness of your application, the number of applications received, ease of verifying provided information, and other variables.

For those aspiring to make Atlantic Canada their home, the AIP is a beneficial path toward PR. The pathway to residency might seem complex, but following the necessary steps and ensuring your application aligns with the program's specifications can significantly increase your chances of success. With patience and attention to detail, embracing this path may guide you toward a fulfilling life within Canada's Atlantic provinces.

The article offers general information and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Seek guidance from a professional advisor for specific assistance. While we aim for accuracy, we cannot guarantee complete precision. Author opinions may change over time. ImmiLaw Global and its affiliates do not explicitly or implicitly endorse third-party advice, opinions, information, products, or services.

Our experienced team, consisting of immigration lawyers and experts in overseas studies, offers comprehensive support for various immigration needs. Whether you require assistance creating Express Entry profiles or navigating Provincial Nominee Programs, including AIP programs, we are here to help you pave the path toward a brighter future in Canada. 

Contact us for guidance and expertise in your immigration journey.

Read To Know: Express Entry: The Fastest Route to Canadian PR