Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

Atlantic Canada or Atlantic provinces refer to 4 Maritime Provinces that can select applicants under the Atlantic Immigration Program. These provinces are Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick; and the easternmost province of Newfoundland and Labrador. AIP helps these provinces get skilled workers and international graduates to meet the labour market and economic needs. Further, AIP is an employer-driven stream.

Besides, an employer can hire skilled workers through these 2 AIP streams such as for:

• Highly Skilled Workers [TEER 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4] – Atlantic High-Skilled Program
• Recent graduates from Atlantic provinces – Atlantic International Graduate Stream

Who can apply to this program?

Terms for applicants getting employer endorsement through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

If you wish to apply to the AIP then you must meet certain terms such as:

• Firstly, have qualifying work experience as a skilled worker.
• However, if you are an international student who has completed their study program in 1 of the 4 Atlantic provinces then you need not show qualifying work experience.
• Secondly, match the education level requirement terms for the AIP.
• Also, must have the minimum required language skill level to apply to the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
• Besides, you must have enough funds to support yourself and your family member(s) when you land in Canada.
• In case you are already living and working in Canada on a valid work permit then you need not show proof of funds as requested by AIP.

Qualifying Work Experience

Under this factor of the AIP eligibility terms, you must have worked for a minimum of 1560 hours in the last 5 years. Also, this refers to the calculation of hours in a full-time job for which the working hours are set at 30 hours per week.

How can you calculate your working hours to apply to AIP?

To match this eligibility term you can calculate hours for:

• Both part-time (15 hours per week) and full-time (30 hours per week) jobs.
• Your work must be paid. Because volunteer and internship work do not count towards this AIP eligibility criteria.
• Also, the hours for self-employed work are not considered.
• You can also count working hours for work done inside or outside of Canada. However, whilst gaining working hours in Canada you must have been on a valid visa to legally work in Canada.
• Working hours for international students working during the study program can also be counted. However, one can only count the working hours permissible on a Canada Study Visa.
• In total, you must count hours for a period of 12 months to match the required AIP terms.

International Students

As an international student if you meet certain AIP terms then you do not need to show the work experience eligibility terms. However, to do the same, you must have:

• A degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship certification (minimum of 2 years study program)
• You must have completed your education from a recognized post-secondary institution in 1 of the 4 Atlantic provinces such as New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Also, were a full-time student during the entire period of your study program.
• Besides, have lived in one of the following provinces for a minimum period of 16 months within the last 2 years before completion of your study program
• New Brunswick
• Nova Scotia
• Newfoundland and Labrador or
• Prince Edward Island
• Finally, you had a valid visa or permit. So, you could work, study or get trained during your stay in Canada.

Education Level

To match the requirements of the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), education level terms you must match 1 of the terms such as:

• Have a minimum of 1 year of post-secondary education or higher in Canada or (equal) outside Canada, if you have a job offer that comes under NOC TEER 0 or 1 category. OR
• Have a high school diploma from Canada, or equal from outside Canada; if your job offer comes under NOC TEER 2, 3, or 4.

However, if you have a foreign education, then you must show proof that your required education level for AIP matches Canada’s education level. So, to do the same, you can submit an Educational Credential Report (ECA) that is not more than 5 years old at the time of applying to the AIP.

Language Skill Level

To match this AIP criterion, you must have a particular language skill level that matches your job profile (TEER category). You can show proof of language skill level for English (CLB) and or French (NCLC) such as:

• CLB/NCLC 5 for TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3
• CLB/NCLC 4 for TEER 4
• But your language test results must not be more than 2 years old. At the time of applying to the Atlantic Immigration Program.

Proof Of Settlement Funds

Canada requires everyone entering the country to have a minimum amount with them when they reach Canada. This is to help newcomers easily settle in the country and support themselves and their family members (if any). The funds needed for the same are calculated as per the size of the family. And is as the following:

In case you are already in Canada (living and working legally) then you do not need to show proof of funds to AIP.

Getting a Job Offer after qualifying to apply to AIP

If you meet the eligibility terms to apply to the AIP, then you must proceed to get a valid job offer from an AIP-designated employer. Also, your job offer must be from 1 of the Atlantic provinces. In addition, your job offer must meet terms such as:

• Firstly, the job offer must be full-time, paid, and non-seasonal.
• Secondly, the employer must be giving you a job offer of:
• TEER 0, 1, 2, 3 – The job offer must be for a minimum period of 1 year.
• TEER 4 – The job offer must be for permanent employment. So, this means that there should be no end date for the employment of the candidate.
• Also, you, your spouse or your common-law partner can not have major ownership in the company which is extending a valid job offer to you.

List of documents required for applying to AIP

To apply to the AIP you must procure the following documents:

• Language test results – You can submit English – IELTS/CELPIP and or French – TCF/TEF test results.
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
• Proof of funds
• Additional documents (As applicable)

In addition to the above, after getting a job offer, you must get a settlement plan. Because this will help you settle easily in 1 of the Atlantic provinces with your family members. Moreover, after getting a settlement plan, you must get a Certificate of Endorsement. This means that the province that you are moving to is endorsing your job offer.

Applying for a Canada PR Visa via the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

After you get a Certificate of Endorsement from a province, you can further apply to IRCC for permanent residence in Canada. And you must submit a complete and error-free PR Visa Application with all supporting documents required.

However, if you qualify to apply for a Canada PR visa, you can also apply for a Canada temporary work permit. Because this work permit will help you work in Canada whilethe  IRCC is processing your Canada PR visa application. But this Canada Work Permit is:

• Firstly, for the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
• Secondly, is valid for 1 year.
• Also, you can only work for the employer who has given you a job offer.
  Moreover, now your spouse or common-law partner too can apply for Canada Open Work Permit.

AIP – Getting a Canada PR Visa

IRCC will process your visa application for permanent residency in Canada. And if satisfied, they will give you a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and or a PR visa (for countries that require a visa).

Apply for a PR visa via the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) now. Why wait? Get a quick and easy Canada Visa. Take our Free Assessment to see if you too qualify for AIP or Contact Us to know more.