Atlantic Immigration Program
Canada’s immigration department has created a special set of immigration programs to attract newcomers specifically to Atlantic regions.
Atlantic Immigration Program
Canada’s Atlantic Provinces – New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Prince Edward Island – are the smallest provinces and are located on the far east coast of the country. This entire region has suffered from a severe shortage of workers in recent years.
To address this issue, Canada’s immigration department has created a special set of immigration programs to attract newcomers specifically to these regions.
How The Atlantic Immigration Program Works
This is an employer-driven program. You must receive a job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada to participate in the program.
YOU MUST BE EITHER:
- A recent graduate of a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada, or
- A skilled worker
- Meet the below requirements
Work Experience Requirement:
- In the last 5 years, you must have worked at least 1,560 hours (1 year if you were working 30 hours per week)
- Count both full-time and part-time jobs, as long as they are paid
- Count work experience while studying, as long as the work hours don’t exceed what was authorized
- Count both outside Canada and inside Canada (must have been legally authorized to work in Canada)
- Do not count self-employed experience
- Can be in NOC 0, A, B and C
NOTE: International graduate do not need to meet this work experience requirement if:
- you have a degree, diploma, certificate or trade or apprenticeship certification that took at least 2 years of studies
- you graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in 1 of the 4 Atlantic provinces
- you were a full-time during the entire period you were studying
- you lived in 1 of the 4 Atlantic provinces for at least 16 months during the last 2 years before you graduated
Educational Requirement:
- Job offer at NOC 0 or A: Canadian one-year post-secondary education credential or higher, or equivalent outside Canada
- Job offer at NOC B or C: Canadian high-school diploma or equivalent outside Canada
Language Requirement:
- CLB 5 for NOC 0, A and B
- CLB 4 for NOC C
Settlement Funds Requirement:
- The amount required depends on the size of your family.
- If you are already working with a valid work permit, you don’t need to show proof of funds
Necessary Steps for All AIP Programs:
- Find an employer who is eligible for the program and wants to hire you; check the provincial websites for job opportunities
- Employer applies to the Province for permission to hire
- Foreign national applies for Permanent Residence, and may also apply for a work permit to start living in Canada more quickly.
Our Satisfied Clients

Immigration Tips and Information
