The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a permanent immigration program that was upgraded from the previous Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP). It began accepting applications on March 6, 2022. This immigration program is specifically for the four Canadian Atlantic provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The upgraded AIP has slightly increased requirements for applicants but still maintains relatively low thresholds for work experience, education, language proficiency, and settlement funds compared to other immigration programs.
The AIP primarily targets two categories of individuals:
1. International graduates who have completed a two-year program in one of the Atlantic provinces in Canada and have a job offer from an employer in the Atlantic provinces.
2. International skilled workers who have a job offer from an employer in the Atlantic provinces.
Currently, the upgraded AIP has an annual quota of 6,000, which is an increase from the previous program.
Compared to other immigration pathways, the AIP offers unique advantages:
1. Relatively Lenient Applicant Qualifications:
The AIP has relatively relaxed requirements for applicants' education, work experience, language skills, and financial capacity. There is no point-based system, and applicants can submit their applications if they meet the following qualification criteria:
| Atlantic High-Skilled Program (AHSP) | Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program (AISP) | Atlantic International Graduate Program (AIGP) | |
| Offer of Employment | A full-time contract of one year or more, non-seasonal, with NOC 0/A/B designation by designated employers in the four Atlantic provinces (with a minimum of 30 hours per week). | A permanent full-time contract, non-seasonal, with NOC 0/A/B/C designation by designated employers in the four Atlantic provinces (with a minimum of 30 hours per week). | A non-seasonal, full-time contract of one year or more, with NOC 0/A/B/C designation by designated employers in the four Atlantic provinces (with a minimum of 30 hours per week). |
| Work Experience | At least 1 year of relevant work experience in the last 5 years prior to application (any country - can be full-time, part-time, or non-continuous) | "No work experience required after graduation." | |
| Academic Credentials | At least high school (minimum of 1-year program) education or higher is required, and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is needed | Completion of at least 2 years of high school education from a designated educational institution in the four Atlantic provinces; graduation within the last 2 years. | |
| Language | CLB 5 | CLB 4 | |
| Settlement Funds | "If you have not yet worked in Canada, you will need to provide proof of settlement funds." | ||
2) Faster Processing Times:
Because the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program is strongly supported by the federal government, it has a faster approval process. According to official website information, the standard processing time is approximately 12 months.
3) Direct Path to Permanent Residency:
Canadian Permanent Residency (commonly referred to as the PRCard) is not something that can be obtained in one step through every immigration pathway. Therefore, the advantage of the Atlantic Immigration Program in granting permanent residency to the whole family in one step can save applicants a lot of trouble. Once you obtain permanent residency, you can enjoy Canadian benefits such as free public education, child benefits, free healthcare, and more.
