Atlantic Immigration Program

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:

1. Find an employer who is eligible for the program and wants to hire you; check the provincial websites for job opportunities
2. Employer applies to the Province for permission to hire
3. Foreign national applies for Permanent Residence, and may also apply for a work permit to start living in Canada more quickly.