Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a partnership between the federal government and the four Atlantic provinces – Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador – to attract skilled workers and international graduates to Canada’s East Coast. This program started as a pilot (the Atlantic Immigration Pilot) and proved successful, so it became a permanent program in 2022. AIP is an employer-driven program, meaning you need a job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces to participate. NovaBridge has strong knowledge of the AIP because we’ve assisted many clients in securing job offers and navigating the unique requirements (like the provincial endorsement process). We will help you determine if AIP is right for you and work with both you and your employer to ensure a smooth application that complies with all regulations.

Key Features of AIP:

• Job Offer: You must obtain a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an employer designated by the Atlantic province. “Designated” means the employer has been pre-approved by the provincial government to hire under AIP. NovaBridge can provide up-to-date lists of designated employers and even refer you to reputable recruitment channels. The job offer can be at various skill levels: high-skilled (TEER 0 or 1), intermediate (TEER 2 or 3), or certain intermediate jobs (TEER 4) are allowed in some cases. The offer does not need an LMIA, which is a big advantage of AIP, but it does need provincial sign-off.

• Work Experience: Generally, you need at least 1 year (1560 hours) of paid work experience in the last 5 years, in any NOC skill type 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 that is related to the job being offered. (TEER 5 jobs aren’t eligible, but AIP is broader than Express Entry – it allows some TEER 4 semi-skilled roles). If you’re an international graduate from an Atlantic Canada post-secondary (at least a 2-year program), the work experience requirement is waived – recent grads don’t need work experience.

• Education: You must have at least a high school diploma for intermediate roles (TEER 4 jobs), or a 1-year post-secondary credential for higher skilled jobs (TEER 0 or 1). If your education is from outside Canada, you’ll need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to show it’s equivalent to the Canadian level required.

• Language: The language requirement is quite reasonable. For jobs in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3, you need CLB level 5 in English or French. For TEER 4 jobs, CLB 4 is sufficient. These are basic to intermediate language levels. You’ll submit results of an approved language test (IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF/TCF for French) as proof.

• Settlement Funds: If you’re coming from abroad and not already working in Canada, you must show proof of funds to support yourself and family upon arrival (unless you’re already in Canada on a valid work permit). The required amount depends on family size – for example, a single applicant might need around CAD $3,500 (just as an illustrative figure; IRCC updates the exact amounts). This is to ensure you can pay for living expenses initially. NovaBridge will guide you on how much you need and what documents count (bank statements, fixed deposits, etc.). Note that if you’re already living and working in Canada, proof of funds is waived.

• Endorsement by Province: A unique AIP step is that after you get a job offer, you must obtain a Provincial Endorsement Letter. The employer and candidate work together on a settlement plan and submit the job offer for approval to the province. The province checks that the job offer and your credentials meet AIP criteria and that the employer has attempted to recruit locally, etc. Once the province endorses the application, they issue a letter which must be included in your PR application to IRCC. NovaBridge excels at preparing these endorsement applications – we ensure all forms (like the Offer of Employment IMM0157) are correctly filled and that your Settlement Plan is thorough. We even provide guidance to employers on how to become designated if they aren’t already.

Application Process:

1. Find a Designated Employer and Job: Some applicants already have an employer interested in hiring them. Others may need to job search. NovaBridge can assist by leveraging our network in Atlantic Canada. We ensure your resume highlights your eligibility for PR under AIP (some employers prefer candidates who can easily get PR). Once a job offer is secured, confirm the employer’s designation status.

2. Provincial Endorsement: With the job offer in hand, an endorsement application goes to the province. This involves forms for you and the employer, plus a Settlement Plan outlining how you and your family will integrate (housing, language, community connections, etc.). NovaBridge helps create this plan and can refer you to settlement agencies in the specific province (they often provide needs assessments and useful info, which can be part of the plan).

3. PR Application to IRCC: After endorsement (which can take a few weeks), you submit your PR application to IRCC under the Atlantic Immigration Program stream. This is mostly a paper-style application (though now online submission may be available) including your endorsement letter, police certificates, medical exam, proof of funds (if applicable), language results, ECA, etc.

4. Optional Work Permit: If you want to start working sooner, you can apply for a one-year employer-specific AIP work permit once you have the endorsement, provided your PR application is submitted within 90 days of that work permit application. This lets you move and start the job while PR is processing (which is great, as PR might take around 6-12 months). NovaBridge will handle this work permit application if you choose this route, ensuring no detail is missed (for instance, you need a referral letter from the province to get this work permit – we make sure you get it).

NovaBridge’s role: We provide comprehensive support in AIP. For employers, we can help them through the designation process and labor market assessment (though AIP has no LMIA, employers should still show they need to hire from abroad – many provinces check this). For candidates, we do everything from verifying your documents (we wouldn’t let you submit without an ECA or language test done, for example) to writing a convincing explanation of how you meet the work experience requirement. We double-check that the job offer meets prevailing wages and skill level requirements, to avoid rejection by the province or IRCC. Essentially, we act as a bridge between you, the employer, the province, and the federal immigration department, streamlining communication and paperwork for all.

Post-Landing Obligations: AIP does not have a formal condition that you must stay with the employer or in the Atlantic region for a certain time. However, you signed an intent to settle in that province when you applied. You should in good faith plan to live and work in the Atlantic region upon landing. Ideally, you stay with your employer for at least the initial period of your employment contract. If you later choose to move within Canada, that’s your right as a PR, but leaving the region immediately without ever working can be seen as acting in bad faith. Practically, if there’s a serious issue (say you lost your job due to company closure), you could move and find work elsewhere, but we encourage you to try to remain in Atlantic Canada because the program is designed for regional development. Also, the Atlantic community and settlement agencies will be valuable resources – it’s a welcoming region with many services to help newcomers (English/French language training, community orientation, etc.). NovaBridge’s post-landing services can connect you to these resources. We also advise you on getting your SIN, health card, etc., in your province.

Risks of Non-Compliance: One risk is if the job offer turns out to be not genuine (e.g., an employer is just giving a job offer on paper). IRCC does check on employers and can refuse applications if they suspect the job isn’t legitimate or you don’t intend to work in it. Both the employer and applicant must attest that it’s a bona fide job. Another risk is failing to meet the requirements – for instance, if it turns out your work experience was not in the correct skill type or you exaggerated duties, the application could be refused for ineligibility. Misrepresentation (like a fake work reference or fraudulent language test) would have serious consequences (5-year ban, etc.). NovaBridge mitigates these risks by thoroughly vetting your documents and the job offer. We prefer working with employers who have a track record or are clearly established to avoid any hint of “fake jobs.” We also ensure you understand the importance of settling in the region: using AIP just to get to Canada and then immediately moving to Toronto, for example, undermines the program’s intent. While there’s no legal punishment for that, it could affect the employer (they lost an employee) and, in theory, could affect your citizenship application if a pattern of misrepresentation is noted. Thus, we strongly advise compliance with the spirit of the program.

Reconsideration/Appeals: If an AIP application is refused by IRCC, there is no special appeal tribunal since it’s an economic program. However, since AIP involves an employer and province, we often can coordinate a response. For example, if refusal was due to a document issue or doubt about intent, we might get the province or employer to provide additional letters and ask IRCC for reconsideration. If that fails and you believe it’s unjust, a judicial review in Federal Court is an option. If a province refuses the endorsement, typically they’ll give reasons and you can sometimes address them and reapply for endorsement. NovaBridge will analyze any refusal and guide you on next steps, possibly involving legal counsel if needed for a court review. We also take preventative measures – e.g., if IRCC sends a procedural fairness letter (a letter expressing concerns about some aspect of your application), we help you respond thoroughly within the deadline to avoid a refusal in the first place.

NovaBridge’s Support: We pride ourselves on being with you every step in AIP. A highlight of our service is the personal touch – Atlantic Canada is known for its community feel, and we mirror that by offering personalized settlement coaching. Not only do we get you the visa, but we can help you book temporary accommodation, understand the local culture, even recommend schools if you have kids. Our RCIC handling AIP cases will ensure all actions are aligned with both IRCC rules and CICC’s ethical guidelines (for instance, we cannot and will not charge employers any recruitment fees tied to PR – our contract is with you, the applicant, and we keep things transparent to avoid any conflict of interest). If you’re interested in AIP, Check Your Eligibility with NovaBridge. We’ll confirm if your job experience and credentials match what Atlantic employers need, and if not, suggest how to improve or whether another program fits better.

FAQs – Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

• Do I need a job offer for the Atlantic Immigration Program? Yes. A valid job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces is mandatory. You can’t apply to AIP without that job offer. The employer-driven nature is what sets AIP apart from Express Entry. NovaBridge can assist you in finding opportunities or confirm if an offer you have qualifies (full-time, non-seasonal, correct NOC level, etc.).

• What is a “designated employer”? A designated employer is a company that the province has authorized to hire through the Atlantic Immigration Program. Employers have to apply to the provincial government for this status, proving their business is established and they have tried to recruit locally. Once designated, they can offer jobs under AIP without needing an LMIA. Each province maintains a list of designated employers (often available on their websites). NovaBridge keeps an updated database of designated employers and can advise if a particular employer is designated or needs to become designated.

• How do I get a provincial endorsement for AIP? After you secure a job offer, both you (and your family, if applicable) and your employer will work on a settlement plan. Then the employer submits an endorsement application to their provincial immigration office. This application includes details about the job, your qualifications, and the settlement plan. The province may ask for additional info or have a quick interview with the employer. If all looks good, the province issues an endorsement letter (usually specific to you and that job). The endorsement process is generally faster than a full PNP – it can take a few weeks to a couple of months. NovaBridge will prepare the endorsement request for you and your employer, making sure it’s complete. Once you have the endorsement letter, we attach it to your PR application. Without the endorsement letter, IRCC will not process an AIP PR application, so it’s a crucial step.

• What if I studied in an Atlantic province? Can I use AIP? Yes! If you graduated from a publicly funded institution in NB, NS, PEI or NL with at least a 2-year degree/diploma (or some 1-year post-graduate programs also count), you don’t need any work experience to apply under AIP. You still need a job offer from a designated employer, but being a graduate gives you a big advantage. You must have lived in the Atlantic province for at least 16 months within the 2 years before graduation, and you must apply for PR within 2 years of getting your credential. If you’re an international student in the Atlantic now, this is a great pathway. NovaBridge often helps graduates find employers who are looking to retain international talent. Keep in mind you can’t have had a scholarship/award that required you to return to your home country after graduating (that would make you ineligible). We’ll check that detail too.

• Do I have to stay in the Atlantic province after I get PR? The expectation is yes, you will stay in the region. When you apply, you sign an intent to reside in the province of endorsement. There’s no PR condition legally forcing you to remain, but remember, AIP was designed to benefit Atlantic Canada. If you were to move immediately, it could be seen as going back on your stated intent. Practically, many people put down roots because the community and lifestyle in Atlantic Canada are very welcoming. If you do need to relocate later (e.g., you pursued a job and after a year it ended and you found a new opportunity in another province), you won’t lose PR for moving. Just ensure you initially settle in the Atlantic region as promised, because the province and employer invested in bringing you. NovaBridge can help you integrate so that you want to stay – we’ll point you to resources and networks so you and your family feel at home on the East Coast.