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Official Information
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Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
A pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates from a Canadian institution who want to work and live in 1 of Canada's 4 Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador. The program helps employers hire qualified candidates for jobs they haven't been able to fill locally.
Fee
From $1,590 (Increased April 30, 2026)
Processing time
About 26 months (Does not include biometrics)
Target provinces
4
Official Information
ID
canada-atlantic-immigration-program
Country
Canada
Status
Open
Target provinces
New BrunswickNewfoundland and LabradorNova ScotiaPrince Edward Island
Atlantic Immigration Program Official Guide (PDF)
This public visa page exposes the full official AIP PDF snapshot stored on Vercel Blob.
Candidate Eligibility
- Must receive a valid job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada.
- Must be either a recent graduate of a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada OR a skilled worker.
- Can be living abroad or in Canada as a temporary resident.
- Must have the right level of education for the job offered.
- Must prove language abilities by taking an approved test.
- Must show proof of funds to support self and family (Exempt if already living and working in Canada with a valid work permit).
- Must get a personalized settlement plan from a service provider organization.
| Job offer TEER | Required work experience TEER |
|---|---|
| TEER 0 | TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| TEER 1 | TEER 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| TEER 2 | TEER 2, 3, 4 |
| TEER 3 | TEER 3, 4 |
| TEER 4 | TEER 4 |
International graduate exemption
Do not need qualifying work experience if they are an international student who graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada and lived in an Atlantic province for at least 16 of the 24 months before receiving the credential.
Healthcare sector rule
Work experience in NOC 31201 (licensed practical nurses) and NOC 31301 (registered nurses) can be used for a job offer in NOC 33102 (TEER 3 - Nurse aides, orderlies) and NOC 44101 (TEER 4 - Home support workers, caregivers).
Job Offer Criteria
- Must be full-time (at least 30 hours a week).
- Must be non-seasonal (consistent and paid all year).
- Must be for at least 1 year from becoming a permanent resident for TEER 0, 1, 2, 3 offers.
- Must be for permanent employment with no set end date for TEER 4 offers.
- Must be at the same or higher skill level as the qualifying work experience (unless exempt as a graduate).
- The job offer cannot come from a company in which the applicant, spouse, or common-law partner are a majority owner.
Digital portal forms
- IMM 0008Generic Application Form for Canada
- IMM 5669Schedule A - Background/Declaration
- IMM 5406Additional Family Information
- IMM 5562Supplementary Information - Your travels
Upload PDFs and signed declarations
- IMM 0155Document Checklist
- IMM 5501Economic Classes – Atlantic Immigration Program
- IMM 0157Offer of Employment to a Foreign National under the Atlantic Immigration Program (Must enter 'Permanent' in box 22 for TEER 4)
- IMM 5409Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (Requires hand-signatures and consecutive 1-year joint proof like bank statements, leases, utility bills)
- IMM 5604Separation Declaration for Minors Travelling to Canada (Must be signed by hand in front of a notary public if minor travels without both parents)
Legal and translations
- Every document not in English or French must include a certified translation with the translator's membership number, seal, or stamp.
- If a certified translator is unavailable, an affidavit sworn in front of an authorized person is required.
- Authorized persons to witness affidavits/certify inside Canada: Notary Public, Commissioner of Oaths, Commissioner of taking affidavits.
- Family members and immigration representatives/consultants are strictly FORBIDDEN from translating documents or witnessing affidavits/certifying copies.
Alternate format request email
IRCC.PRPortalALTRequest-DemandeALTPortailRP.IRCC@cic.gc.ca
Subject line
[Format Needed: Braille / Large Print / Paper] - [Application Package Name]
Instructions
Send a plain email with Requested Format, Application Package, Preferred Language, Delivery Method, Full Name, Email, and Mailing Address. Do not add extra information. Technical issues form dummy data: UCI enter 1111111111, Application number enter 0000000.
Employer designation requirements
- Must not be in violation of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act or Regulations.
- Must be in good standing with employment standards and occupational health and safety legislation.
- Cannot recruit workers to establish a pool to be later transferred or contracted out.
- Must have been in continuous, active operation under the same management for at least 2 years in 1 of the Atlantic provinces (or show operation in another location with provincial confirmation).
- Must work with a settlement service provider organization to help candidates.
- Must complete free mandatory onboarding training and free intercultural competency training.
Mandatory onboarding
Watch a sent training video covering Canada's immigration system, AIP background, roles, PR/Work permit applications, and integration. Sign up by emailing business legal/operating name, address, and name of individual completing training to the Dedicated Service Channel.
Intercultural competency
Takes half a day, offered in person or via live webinar. Covers creating welcoming workplaces, newcomer experiences, and cultural awareness. Targets hiring managers.
English intercultural training providers
| Organization | Province | Areas served | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) | Nova Scotia | Halifax Regional Municipality | 6960 Mumford Road, Suite 2120 Halifax, Nova Scotia B3L 4P1 | Phone: 902-482-4346 | ysuresh@isans.ca |
| YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth | Nova Scotia | All areas of Nova Scotia outside of the Halifax Regional Municipality | 104-7071 Bayers Road Halifax, Nova Scotia | Phone: 902-301-6572 | AIPTraining@halifax.ymca.ca |
| Multicultural Association of Fredericton (MCAF) | New Brunswick | Fredericton region including Oromocto/Gagetown, Minto, Harvey, Nackawic and McAdam | 28 Saunders St. Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 1N1 | Phone: 506-292-1329 | aip@mcaf.nb.ca |
| Association for New Canadians | Newfoundland and Labrador | All of Newfoundland and Labrador | 144 Military Road St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador | Phone: 709-722-9680 | ict@ancnl.ca |
| YMCA Newcomer Connections (YMCA Saint John) | New Brunswick | Greater Saint John | 191 Churchill Blvd. Saint John, New Brunswick E2K 3E2 | Phone: 506-343-5515 | ylearning@saintjohny.ca |
| Multicultural Association of Carleton County (MACC) | New Brunswick | Serving all of Carleton County, the towns of Woodstock, Hartland, Florenceville and surrounding areas | 645/647 Main St. Woodstock, New Brunswick E7M 2C7 | Phone: 506-328-4690 | settlement@maccnb.ca |
| Multicultural Association of Charlotte County (CCMA) | New Brunswick | Charlotte County including St. George, Blacks Harbour, Pennfield, Saint Andrews, St. Stephen, Deer Island, Campobello Island and Grand Manan | 19 Main St., Unit 1 St. George, New Brunswick E5C 3H9 | Phone: 506-755-9295 | suren@ccmanb.com |
| The Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area (MAGMA) | New Brunswick | Greater Moncton area | 22 Church St. Suite C170 Moncton, New Brunswick E1C 0P7 | Phone: 506-800-6250 | jacques.savoie@magma-amgm.org |
| Centre de ressources pour nouveaux arrivants au Nord-Ouest (CRNANO) | New Brunswick | Northwest New Brunswick | 59 Queen St. Edmundston, New Brunswick E3V 1A4 | Phone: 506-735-0604 | info@crna.ca |
| Association Multiculturelle Région Chaleur – Multicultural Association Chaleur Region (AMRC-MACR) | New Brunswick | Chaleur region | 325 Main Bathurst St. New Brunswick E2A 1B1 | Phone: 506-547-7651 | info@macr-amrc.ca |
French intercultural training providers
| Organization | Province | Areas served | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multicultural Association of Fredericton (MCAF) | New Brunswick | Fredericton region including Oromocto/Gagetown, Minto, Harvey, Nackawic and McAdam | 28 Saunders St. Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 1N1 | Téléphone: 506-292-1329 | aip@mcaf.nb.ca |
| Centre de ressources pour nouveaux arrivants au Nord-Ouest (CRNANO) | New Brunswick | Northwest New Brunswick | 59 Queen St. Edmundston, New Brunswick E3V 1A4 | Phone: 506-735-0604 | info@crna.ca |
| Le Centre des nouveaux arrivants de Saint-Jean | New Brunswick | Grand Saint-Jean region | 165 Union St. Saint-Jean, New Brunswick E2L 5C7 | Phone: 506-642-4242 | bienvenue@sjnewcomers.ca |
| La Coopérative d’intégration francophone de l’Î.-P.-É. (CIF IPE) | Prince Edward Island | Prince Edward Island | 149 Kent St., Suite 202 Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 1N5 | Phone: 1-888-954-5888 | services@cifipe.ca |
| Association Multiculturelle Région Chaleur – Multicultural Association Chaleur Region (AMRC-MACR) | New Brunswick | Chaleur region | 325 Main Bathurst St. New Brunswick E2A 1B1 | Phone: 506-547-7651 | info@macr-amrc.ca |
| Horizon TNL | Newfoundland and Labrador | Newfoundland and Labrador | 65 Ridge Road St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador A1B 4P5 | Phone: 709-726-5976 | info@horizontnl.com |
| Centre d’accueil et d’accompagnement francophone des immigrants du Sud-Est du Nouveau-Brunswick (CAFi) | New Brunswick | Southwest New Brunswick | 140 Champlain St. Dieppe, New Brunswick E1A 1N8 | Phone: 506-382-7494 | info@cafi-nb.org |
| Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse (CDÉNÉ) | Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia | 1809 Barrington St., Office 902 Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3K8 | Phone: 902-424-7230 | info@cdene.ns.ca |
Endorsement phase
- 1A designated AIP employer offers you a valid full-time, non-seasonal job.
- 2The candidate connects with an authorized settlement service provider to get a customized Settlement Plan.
- 3Candidate sends the finalized settlement plan back to the designated employer.
- 4The employer submits a formal endorsement application to the respective provincial department (No LMIA required).
- 5The candidate receives a official Provincial Endorsement Certificate and a temporary work permit support letter (if required).
Immigration phase
- 1Submit the official Permanent Residence (PR) application along with the Endorsement Certificate, IMM 0155 checklist, and supporting docs via the online PR Portal.
- 2IRCC reviews, performs background/security checks, and processes the PR application.
- 3Optional: Apply online for a 2-year employer-specific temporary work permit using the provincial referral letter while PR is processing to begin working early.
- 4Complete biometrics within 30 days of receiving the IRCC instruction letter, and book the mandatory medical exam.
- 5Upon final approval, travel to Atlantic Canada to live and work with ongoing support from the employer and settlement provider.