Canada is known for its large number of immigration schemes, and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is one of the most advantageous. First launched as the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program or AIPP in Canada which closed in 2021, this is a new version of the former one.
The Atlantic Immigration Program addresses those who want to move to one of the 4 provinces in the Atlantic area. Below, our immigration lawyer in Canada explains the conditions and advantages of this scheme if you are interested in it.
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What are the provinces you can move to under the AIP in Canada?
The former AIPP program in Canada was created for the following provinces that remain the same under the new Atlantic Immigration Program :
- New Brunswick;
- Nova Scotia;
- Prince Edward Island;
- Newfoundland and Labrador.
| Quick Facts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Types of immigrants addressed |
– skilled workers, – students. |
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Province availability |
– Newfoundland and Labrador, – New Brunswick, – Nova Scotia, – Prince Edward Island. |
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Sub-programs |
– Atlantic International Graduate Program, – Atlantic High-Skilled Workers Program, – Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Workers Program. |
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| Language test required (YES/NO) | Yes, applicants must pass a language test assessment (English or French). | |
| Job offer requirement (YES/NO) |
Yes. |
|
| Requirements for international graduates |
A valid one-year employment contract. |
|
| Other requirements (if any) |
Proof of sufficient funds for self-sustenance. |
|
| Requirements for employers (if any) |
Employers must enroll on special lists for the AIPP. |
|
| Possibility to immigrate to Canada with family members (YES/NO) |
Yes, we can assist with obtaining various family-related visas. |
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| Special requirements when moving with family (if any) | Yes, additional funds for the support of the respective people are required. | |
| Possibility to apply for Canadian permanent residency directly (YES/NO) |
Yes, direct permanent residency is available in the designated provinces. |
|
| Option to obtain a temporary work permit (YES/NO) |
Yes, while waiting for the permanent residence permit to be processed. |
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| Possibility to enroll in the program for people who reside in Canada (YES/NO) |
Yes, for those who live in other Canadian provinces than the ones participating in the program. |
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| Timeframe to obtain permanent residency through the AIPP (approx.) |
Around 6 months. |
|
| Support in enrolling in the AIPP (YES/NO) | Yes. |
The scheme is meant to help both employers, Canadian citizens lacking a workforce, and foreign citizens interested in immigration to Canada.
Our immigration lawyers in Canada are at the service of foreign citizens, no matter one’s country of origin, who want to relocate here temporarily or permanently. If you want to apply for Canadian residency, we are here to help. One of the most popular visas used by qualified individuals who are sought after by Canadian businesses to fill open positions is the Super Visa which can be employed by close family members. For information on this visa, get in touch with us.
One of the main advantages of applying for this program is that at the beginning of 2022 it became permanent thanks to the success of the former AIPP in Canada, through which 6,000 applicants were accepted every year starting in 2017.
You can rely on us if you want to move from the USA to Canada. Depending on your demands, we may provide you with a variety of services. You may rely on our knowledgeable immigration specialists for advice if you need assistance with drafting the papers or directions on how to apply for a certain program.
Who is the AIP designated for?
The AIP in Canada is created for:
- the Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program (AISP);
- the Atlantic High-Skilled Program (AHSP).
There is also one program specifically designed for graduates of overseas students, namely the Program for Atlantic International Graduates (AIGP).
You can get in touch with our immigration lawyers in Canada for details about each category of the program to find the best match for you.
Requirements for applicants to qualify for the Atlantic Immigration Program in Canada
The main requirement to qualify for the Atlantic Immigration Program is to have a job offer. This is also one of its main benefits, as, under other schemes, Labor Market Assessment Impact tests are required for employers, however, the AIP in Canada does not require it. This allows a great number of companies to qualify for this scheme.
Here are the main conditions to qualify for this program:
- a person must have at least one year of work experience within the past 5 years;
- the experience may have been obtained in another country or even in Canada;
- the work experience must enter one of 4 National Occupational Classification (NOC) 0, A, B, or C.
The AIP in Canada is also open to international graduates who must have a minimum of a 2-year graduate diploma and must have lived for at least 16 months in one of the eligible provinces.
Should you decide on the AIP, contact our immigration law firm in Canada for assistance in drafting the paperwork.
Here is also an infographic on this subject:
The important thing you should know if you’re interested in the requirements for Canadian citizenship is that there are various ways to get it. The most frequently used of these are naturalization, ancestry, and marriage. Depending on your circumstances, our immigration attorney may be able to assist you in obtaining a Canadian passport.
Employers designated under the Atlantic Immigration Program
When it comes to entering the Atlantic Immigration Program, it should be noted that not all companies are eligible. These are designated by the local government of each province, but companies are also subject to certain requirements. Among these, they must commit to supporting their incoming employees (and their families, when applicable).
When it comes to family immigration, the number of dependents will impact the minimum income threshold to support them. For a family of 2 for example, the threshold starts at a little over 4,000 CAD. For a family of 4, the lowest amount required is approximately 6,200 CAD. For a single dependent, the minimum amount required is 890 CAD at the level of 2022.
AIP requirements for international graduates
One of the main advantages of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program is that it addresses various categories of applicants, including international graduates.
Candidates who are international graduates do not have to fulfill the work experience criteria if they:
- have completed at least 2 years of study at an accredited institution in one of the 4 Atlantic provinces to get a degree, diploma, certificate, trade, or apprenticeship qualification;
- were enrolled in full-time classes during the period they spent studying;
- spent at least 16 months residing in one of the 4 provinces.
As a minimum requirement, candidates who receive a job offer in NOC TEER 0 or 1 must hold an equivalent foreign qualification or a one-year Canadian post-secondary education credential.
A Canadian high school diploma or its equivalent from outside Canada is required of candidates who receive a job offer in NOC TEER 2, 3, or 4.
Apart from addressing applicants from other countries, this is also one of the ways you can immigrate to Canada from the USA if you are interested in this program. We advise you to get in touch with our Canadian immigration law firm for further instructions.
Endorsement requirements under the AIP
Under the AIP, a candidate’s application for Canadian permanent residence cannot be made until the province approves it.
The endorsement procedure falls under the purview of each province’s government. The application for an endorsement usually implies:
- to demonstrate that the employer was unable to find a local candidate for the position;
- to prove that the job offer satisfies the requirements of the program;
The main advantage of the Atlantic Immigration Program for employers is that they are not required to file a Labor Market Assessment. However, among the documents they need to file is also a Settlement Plan for the employees.
If you need assistance in meeting the requirements of each province for this program, you can rely on our immigration lawyer in Canada for consultation.
Language requirements for applicants under the Canadian AIP
A requirement that has not changed when switching from the old AIPP in Canada to the new Atlantic Immigration Program is for the applicants to demonstrate that they can speak English or French at least at a basic level. This corresponds to CLB 4 (Canadian Language Benchmark).
In order to meet the language requirements, a candidate must have passed one of the following:
- the general IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam;
- general exam I by CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program);
- the Test of French Evaluation;
- the French language proficiency test under the TCF Canada.
It should be noted that this program has a lower language requirement than many other economic immigration programs in Canada, including those run under the Express Entry system.
Here is also a video on the AIP in Canada:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvZummGeaAs
How will you know if you are accepted for the program?
Successful candidates will know if they can immigrate to Canada under the AIP if they receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). Once accepted, they can start drafting the immigration paperwork, and most importantly work on their Settlement Plans.
Based on their PR permits, successful candidates can also qualify for Canadian citizenship.
How long does it take to obtain a residence permit under the AIPP in Canada?
Here are the most important aspects to consider when it comes to applying for the program, according to the Canadian’s Government site:
- endorsement certificates from the employers are usually obtained in 6 months;
- it takes around 6 months to obtain a residence permit.
In total, you should expect to obtain the Canadian PR in approximately 12 months.
If you want to enroll in the AIP in Canada, feel free to contact our lawyers for support.
