Atlantic Immigration Program: Apply for Canadian PR With an Atlantic Job Offer
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is for skilled workers and recent graduates with a job offer in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador. You need an offer from a designated employer, the right experience, education and language scores, and a settlement plan. We check your offer and your employer before you pay for tests.
since 1991
What is the Atlantic Immigration Program?
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is an employer-driven route to permanent residence in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. It is for skilled workers abroad, temporary residents in Canada and recent graduates of Atlantic schools.
It does not use an Express Entry profile or CRS points. Your employer must be designated by the province, and the province endorses your file before you apply to IRCC.
Do I need a job offer?
Yes. You need a valid job offer from an employer designated by an Atlantic province. It must be full time (30 or more hours a week) and non-seasonal. It must run at least 1 year from the day you become a permanent resident for TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 jobs, or be permanent for TEER 4 jobs.
Why workers and graduates choose the AIP
- No CRS ranking: you apply once you have an offer and your endorsement
- A lower language bar: CLB 5 for TEER 0 to 3 jobs, CLB 4 for TEER 4 jobs
- Graduate exemption: recent Atlantic graduates can skip the work experience rule
- Work permit option: an LMIA-exempt permit valid for 2 years while your PR is processed
Is the Atlantic Immigration Program right for you?
An honest check before you ask an employer to apply or pay for tests.
A good fit if you have
- A full-time job offer from an employer designated by an Atlantic province
- 1,560 hours of paid work in the last 5 years, or a recent Atlantic graduate status
- CLB 5 (TEER 0 to 3) or CLB 4 (TEER 4) in an approved language test
- The education your job level needs, backed by an ECA if your credential is foreign
Consider another route if
- You have no job offer yet and want to be in a pool: Express Entry may fit
- You plan to live outside the four Atlantic provinces: a provincial nominee stream elsewhere may fit
- You or your spouse majority own the employer: the AIP does not allow that offer
Compare Express Entry, the Canadian Experience Class or the skilled worker provincial nominee programs.
AIP minimum requirements
You must meet every minimum before your employer and the province can move your file forward. You then apply for permanent residence with IRCC.
Job offer
A full-time (30+ hours a week), non-seasonal offer from an employer designated by an Atlantic province. It must last at least 1 year from the day you become a permanent resident for TEER 0 to 3, or be permanent for TEER 4.
Work experience
1,560 hours of paid work in the last 5 years, which equals 30 hours a week for 1 year, spread over at least 1 year. Recent Atlantic graduates can be exempt.
Language
CLB 5 for TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 jobs. CLB 4 for TEER 4 jobs. Take CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training or PTE Core.
Education
TEER 0 or 1 jobs need a Canadian post-secondary credential of 1 year or more. TEER 2, 3 and 4 jobs need a Canadian high school diploma or higher. A foreign credential needs an ECA less than 5 years old.
Proof of funds
Funds start at $3,815 for 1 person and reach $10,098 for 7 (IRCC, July 2025). You do not need them if you already work in Canada on a valid work permit.
Settlement plan required
Every candidate gets a settlement plan from an approved service provider organization before applying.
How the Atlantic Immigration Program works
Designated employers
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador each designate employers. Designation is free for the employer.
Provincial endorsement
The province endorses your offer. You need confirmation of that endorsement with your PR application, and a referral letter if you want the work permit.
Work permit while you wait
You can apply for an optional work permit with no LMIA, valid for 2 years and tied to your employer. It needs your job offer and a referral letter from the province.
International graduates
You need no work experience if you finished a program of 2 years or more at an Atlantic school in the last 2 years, studied full time, and lived in the region 16 of the last 24 months.
Your TEER match
Your experience must sit at or below the skill level of your offer. A TEER 0 job accepts experience from TEER 0 to 4. A TEER 4 job accepts only TEER 4 experience.
Four provinces
The program covers four provinces. Where you live and work after landing is tied to your employer and endorsement, so choose the province and employer with care.
Compare other routes
The AIP not the right fit? These pages cover the other federal and provincial routes.
Your application package
Every document must be current and complete. A missing item can delay your file.
Language test results
Results from an approved English or French test, valid on the day you apply.
Job offer and designation
Your written job offer, your employer’s confirmation of designation and the IMM 0157 form.
Work reference letters
Letters that show your duties, hours, pay and dates match your NOC and the 1,560-hour rule.
Police certificates
Certificates from the countries where you lived for a long period, as your IRCC checklist lists them.
Proof of funds
Bank letters on letterhead that show your average balance over the past 6 months and any debts. Not needed if you already work in Canada on a valid work permit.
Want your file reviewed?
We check your employer’s designation, your hours, your TEER match and your documents before you apply.
How the AIP works, step by step
Six stages from your first check to your PR application.
Check your fit
We test your job offer, hours, education and language against the AIP minimums.
Get a designated employer's offer
Find an employer designated by an Atlantic province, or ask yours to apply. The offer must meet the AIP rules.
Get your provincial endorsement
The province endorses your offer. Keep the confirmation: you need it with your PR application. Ask for a referral letter if you want the work permit.
Complete a settlement plan
A settlement service provider organization prepares a plan for you and your family. IRCC requires it for every candidate.
Submit your PR application
Create your PR portal account, follow the IMM 0155 checklist, pay the fees online and submit. A medical exam is part of the process.
Decision and PR
IRCC reviews your file and decides. If approved, you become a permanent resident and live in your Atlantic province.
Ways to strengthen your AIP file
Meeting the minimums gets your file moving. These five steps make it stronger.
Language
Test early. A score above the minimum protects you if one skill falls short or a result expires.
Education
Order your ECA early if your credential is foreign. It must be less than 5 years old when you apply.
Your family
Your spouse and children can be included. Funds depend on your family size, so plan early.
Your employer
Check that your employer is designated and committed before you spend money on tests.
Your NOC and TEER
Choose the NOC that matches your real duties and the TEER of your offer. A mismatch can delay or sink your file.
Want a second set of eyes?
We follow your file from your first check to your PR application.
Costs and timelines
Typical costs for a single applicant, confirmed during your consultation because government fees change.
Check your AIP eligibility in 2 minutes
Answer 7 short questions. The tool checks the main AIP minimums. It is general guidance, not a decision, and it does not confirm your employer designation.
Why clients choose Amir Ismail & Associates
35+ years of hands-on immigration experience and 25,000+ successful cases, from offices in Toronto, Dubai and Karachi. Our team includes Rijah Amir, also a licensed RCIC, so every file gets a second expert review.
Licensed expert guidance
Advice from CICC-licensed RCICs, not sales staff or unlicensed agents.
A strategy built for your profile
We identify the fastest realistic pathway for you, not a template.
Application accuracy
Documentation review that prevents costly errors and refusals.
Timely updates
We track every draw, policy shift and IRCC announcement for you.
End-to-end support
From eligibility checks to landing, we guide every step.
Proven track record
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Atlantic Immigration Program FAQs
What is the Atlantic Immigration Program?
It is an employer-driven route to permanent residence in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. You need a job offer from a designated employer, qualifying experience, education and language scores, and a settlement plan. The province endorses your file before you apply to IRCC.
Do I need a job offer for the Atlantic Immigration Program?
Yes. The offer must come from an employer designated by an Atlantic province and be full time and non-seasonal. It must last at least 1 year from the day you become a permanent resident for TEER 0 to 3 jobs, or be permanent for TEER 4 jobs. Read our job offers guide.
How much work experience do I need?
You need 1,560 hours of paid work in the last 5 years, which equals 30 hours a week for 1 year, spread over at least 1 year. Self-employment does not count. Recent graduates of Atlantic schools can be exempt. See the full PR fee breakdown.
What language scores do I need?
You need CLB 5 for TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 jobs and CLB 4 for TEER 4 jobs. Accepted English tests include CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core. Your results must be valid when you apply.
What education do I need?
TEER 0 or 1 jobs need a Canadian post-secondary credential of 1 year or more. TEER 2, 3 and 4 jobs need a Canadian high school diploma or higher. A foreign credential needs an Educational Credential Assessment less than 5 years old.
Can international graduates skip the work experience rule?
Yes, if you meet the graduate conditions. You need a program of 2 years or more from a recognized Atlantic school, finished less than 2 years before you apply, studied full time and lived in the Atlantic region at least 16 months in the last 2 years before graduating. Programs that were half or more language study or distance learning do not count.
Can I work in Canada while my PR is processed?
You may be able to. If you meet the PR requirements and hold a job offer and a referral letter from the province, you can apply for an optional work permit. It needs no LMIA, is valid for 2 years and ties you to your employer.
How much proof of funds do I need?
Funds start at $3,815 for 1 person and reach $10,098 for 7 people, with $1,028 for each additional member (IRCC, July 2025). You do not need proof of funds if you already work in Canada with a valid work permit. The money must be yours, not borrowed.
How much does the Atlantic Immigration Program cost?
The IRCC fee is $1,590 per adult, including the right of permanent residence fee, plus fees for children and biometrics. Employers pay nothing to become designated. Budget separately for language tests, medical exams, police certificates and an ECA.
Can I include my family?
Yes. Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children can be included in your application. Your proof of funds is based on your family size.