How to Get Permanent Residence through Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
Thinking about getting permanent residency (as a skilled immigrant) in Canada?. There is Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) aside the popular Express Entry program. For skilled foreign workers and international graduates from Canadian universities who want to live and work in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces—New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador—the Atlantic Immigration Program is a pathway to permanent residence. The program helps employers in recruiting qualified candidates for jobs they haven’t been able to fill locally.
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This post here covers:
What is Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP)
How to become a permanent resident in Canada using the AIPP
AIPP requirements and procedures
How to look for AIPP job offers
AIPP Application Fees and Costs involved
What is Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP)?
One of Canada’s five regions, is the Atlantic region which comprises of the four provinces of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The remaining 4 regions are:
- West Coast (British Columbia)
- Central Canada (Ontario and Quebec)
- The Prairies (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta) and
- The Northern Territories (Nunavut, Yukon, Northwest Territories)
Additionally, the program helps Atlantic Canadian employers in hiring international graduates who want to stay in the region after graduating as well as foreign skilled workers who want to immigrate to Atlantic Canada. With this, the Atlantic region hopes to support population growth, develop a skilled workforce, and improve employment rates. Check here for more information on this is available here
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program Requirements
In AIPP, there are 3 sub-programs:
- Atlantic International Graduate Program (for graduates from an institution in the region). Details available here
- Atlantic High-skilled Program (if you have 1-year experience in NOC 0, A or B). Details available here
- Atlantic Intermediate-skilled Program (if you have 1-year experience in NOC C or as a Nurse). Details available here
For occupations that employers in Atlantic Canada have not been able to fill locally, any of the 3 sub-programs can be used to hire qualified candidates (from inside or outside of Canada).
Your focus should be on the Atlantic High-skilled or Intermediate-skilled Program if you are applying outside of Canada.
The NOC classification of your job determines the program to choose. If you’re interested about the NOC classification of your job or work experience, find your NOC here
There are further requirements to fulfill after the NOC is decided.
It’s important to note that the AIPP is an employer-driven program. that is you must have n eligible job offer from a designated employer in the Atlantic province. Therefore, the first thing to do is to look for a job offer. I’ll explain below how to achieve this.
The job offer must also be:
- Full-time
- Non-seasonal
- Fit the NOC level of the program you are applying to; and
- Last for at least one (1) year
How to look for Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program job offers
The four Atlantic provinces have designated employers for the AIPP. The only employers from which you can get a job offer and use the job offer for the AIPP.
- Prince Edward Island’s designated employers are available here
- Nova Scotia designated employers are available here
- New Brunswick designated employers are available here
- Newfoundland and Labrador designated employers are available here
Please note that this list does not necessarily mean that the employers are recruiting right now.
However, with the list of approved employers in each province, you are informed of where to search for available jobs. Virtually if not all employers have career/recruitment sections on their websites. The following steps to be taken in looking for a job are:
- Select your NOC
- Identify employers in your field
- Search the career websites of the employers in your field.
- Regularly check their websites for job vacancies
- Prepare your application documents and continue to reach out to as many jobs as you can.
- In other to hasting your job search, look for and connect with recruiters in these provinces.
Some provinces or employers also travel regularly around the world to recruit employees. This is a popular feature of New Brunswick. Here are the New Brunswick international job openings currently available.
Other Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program Procedures
Once you receive a job offer from a designated employer, both the employer and the applicant must complete some paperwork before you can submit your application for permanent residence.
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Applicants may be eligible to apply for a temporary work permit to come to Canada to begin their job before the application for permanent residence is granted in situations where it is urgent to fill the position. Details are available here.
Language Test, Financial Proof, and Application Fees
- The language proficiency requirement and proof of settlement funds for the AIPP are also lower than those for the popular Express Entry system.
AIPP requires a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 on the language test. You may find information about this here. - As of 2021, the required proof of funds (POF) for AIPP is also by family members. In comparison, the POF for one application under Express Entry is $13,310, but through AIPP it is only $3,303. Details are available here.
- The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program application fees are the same as those for other Canadian applications for permanent residence:
– Fee for applications processing and right of permanent residence: $1,365 CAD (single applicant)
– For a family, an additional $1,365 CAD for the spouse and $150 CAD for each dependent child.
– Biometric Fee $85 CAD (single applicant), or $170 CAD (family)
Submitting your final Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program Application
Once both you and your employer have completed all the necessary steps above , you can only submit your application for permanent residence (under the AIPP).
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program is a paper application unlike the Express Entry, although IRCC is currently testing a new online application portal. You will mail your application to the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Sydney, NS, Canada.
Summary of Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program Process
In summary, in order to get a permanent residence visa for Canada under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP).
- Evaluate your eligibility for the program.
- Find and receive a job offer from a designated employer.
- Complete all the paperwork to get the required endorsement.
- To enter Canada and start working there, submit an application for a work permit (if you are eligible for that)
- Submit your permanent residence application.
Summarily, this is the step-by-step guide. We wish you the best of luck with your AIPP Application. And if you want us to partake in your Japa success story contact us now.
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