Designated-employer job offer
A job offer from an employer designated by the province is required.
Four Atlantic provinces
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Separate federal PR route
AIP does not use CRS ranking or an Express Entry invitation.
Settlement plan required
A settlement service provider assesses needs before provincial endorsement.
Direct answer
What is the Atlantic Immigration Program?
The Atlantic Immigration Program, commonly called AIP Canada, is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and eligible international graduates who want to live and work in one of Canada's four Atlantic provinces.
It helps designated employers recruit qualified candidates for positions they could not fill locally. The candidate may be outside Canada or living in Canada as a temporary resident, but must satisfy the federal requirements and obtain provincial endorsement.
Candidate personas
Who should explore Atlantic Canada immigration?
AIP is most relevant when a genuine employer opportunity and a credible plan to settle in Atlantic Canada come together.
Skilled worker abroad
You have relevant paid experience and want an eligible offer from a designated Atlantic employer without entering a CRS competition.
Atlantic graduate
You recently completed an eligible two-year credential, studied full-time and may qualify for the work-experience exemption.
Temporary resident in Canada
You are lawfully studying or working in Canada and need to confirm whether your job, status and evidence fit the AIP process.
Federal eligibility framework
Atlantic Immigration Program requirements
Passing one requirement does not compensate for failing another. Review the complete chain before relying on a job offer.
Eligible job offer
Full-time, non-seasonal employment from an employer designated in the province where you will work.
Work experience
At least 1,560 hours of qualifying paid experience over the previous five years, unless the graduate exemption applies.
Language test
Valid approved English or French results meeting the minimum level for the TEER category of the job offer.
Education
Canadian education or a valid immigration ECA at the level required for the offered occupation's TEER.
Settlement funds
Available funds based on family size, unless you already live and work in Canada with a valid work permit.
Plan and endorsement
A settlement plan from an approved provider and an endorsement certificate from the Atlantic province.
No points cutoff: AIP is not managed through Express Entry and does not use CRS. However, the province controls employer designation and endorsement, and may apply current intake or labour-market priorities.
High-intent eligibility question
Atlantic Immigration Program job offer rules
A designated employer is necessary, but designation alone does not make every job or candidate eligible.
| Requirement | TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 offer | TEER 4 offer | Practical check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer | Designated by the Atlantic province where the candidate will work | Obtain confirmation of designation | |
| Hours | Full-time: at least 30 paid hours per week | Review contract and IMM 0157 | |
| Seasonality | Non-seasonal and paid consistently throughout the year | Reject seasonal or intermittent offers | |
| Duration | At least one year after the applicant becomes a permanent resident | Permanent employment with no set end date | Check the exact end-date language |
| Skill relationship | Experience must be at the same or a higher eligible TEER level, subject to the official matching table | Match NOC duties, not job title alone | |
| Ownership restriction | The offer cannot come from a company in which the applicant or spouse/common-law partner is a majority owner | Disclose ownership accurately | |
Fraud warning: A company appearing on a designated-employer list does not mean it is currently hiring, does not guarantee endorsement and does not authorize anyone to sell a job offer. Verify the vacancy and employer through independent channels.
Province-specific endorsement
Where can you immigrate through AIP?
Employer designation and candidate endorsement are administered by the province of employment. Provincial intake procedures and priorities can change.
New Brunswick
Employer-driven opportunities across bilingual, urban and regional labour markets.
- Verify designation status
- Review current provincial intake
- Confirm endorsement procedure
Nova Scotia
AIP opportunities may be affected by current sector and selection priorities.
- Check employer eligibility
- Review priority sectors
- Confirm current submissions
Prince Edward Island
Employers and candidates follow PEI's designation and endorsement process.
- Check the employer resource
- Review local labour priorities
- Confirm endorsement evidence
Newfoundland and Labrador
Employer designation is managed by the provincial immigration office.
- Search the official employer list
- Confirm job and NOC details
- Follow the provincial process
Two candidate profiles
Skilled worker or Atlantic international graduate?
The same employer and endorsement framework applies, but the qualifying work-experience analysis can be different.
Qualifying experience required
Normally at least 1,560 hours of related, paid work during the previous five years, accumulated over at least 12 months.
- Volunteer work and unpaid internships do not count
- Self-employed work does not count
- Canadian work requires valid authorization
- Duties must substantially match the selected NOC
Experience may be waived
A recent graduate may be exempt if every education, residence and immigration-status condition is met.
- Eligible credential required at least two years of study
- Graduated from a recognized Atlantic institution
- Credential received less than two years before PR application
- Lived in Atlantic Canada for at least 16 of the final 24 months
- Distance or language study restrictions may apply
NOC, language and education
AIP requirements by the job offer's TEER
The offered occupation affects the language threshold, minimum education and job-offer duration.
| Job-offer TEER | Minimum language | Minimum education | Offer duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| TEER 0 | CLB/NCLC 5 in all four abilities | Canadian one-year post-secondary credential or higher, or foreign equivalent with valid ECA | At least one year after becoming PR |
| TEER 1 | CLB/NCLC 5 in all four abilities | Canadian one-year post-secondary credential or higher, or foreign equivalent with valid ECA | At least one year after becoming PR |
| TEER 2 | CLB/NCLC 5 in all four abilities | Canadian high school diploma or higher, or foreign equivalent with valid ECA | At least one year after becoming PR |
| TEER 3 | CLB/NCLC 5 in all four abilities | Canadian high school diploma or higher, or foreign equivalent with valid ECA | At least one year after becoming PR |
| TEER 4 | CLB/NCLC 4 in all four abilities | Canadian high school diploma or higher, or foreign equivalent with valid ECA | Permanent, with no set end date |
Accepted tests include IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada and TCF Canada. Results must still be valid when you apply.
Check official language tables →Do not confuse the documents
Settlement plan and provincial endorsement
The settlement plan supports your transition to Atlantic Canada. The endorsement certificate confirms that the province has endorsed the employer–candidate application.
Employer offers the job
The designated employer gives the candidate an eligible offer and designation confirmation.
Needs assessment
An approved settlement provider reviews the candidate's and family's settlement needs.
Settlement plan
The provider creates an individualized plan, which the candidate shares with the employer.
Employer seeks endorsement
The employer submits the job offer and required evidence to the province.
Province decides
If endorsed, the candidate receives the certificate needed for the federal PR application.
Endorsement is not permanent residence. IRCC independently checks completeness, eligibility, medical, criminality, security and admissibility at the federal stage.
A job offer is only one part of eligibility
Validate the employer, NOC, TEER, offer duration, experience, language, education, funds and endorsement strategy before relying on the pathway.
From job offer to PR
How to apply for the Atlantic Immigration Program
The employer, province and IRCC have distinct roles. Prepare time-sensitive evidence before each submission.
Confirm candidate eligibility
Review experience or graduate exemption, language, education, funds and admissibility.
Verify the employer
Confirm provincial designation and independently validate the genuine vacancy.
Validate the offer
Check hours, seasonality, duration, NOC duties, TEER and employment requirements.
Get a settlement plan
Complete the needs assessment with an approved settlement service provider.
Obtain endorsement
The employer submits to the province; the candidate receives a certificate if approved.
Submit PR application
Apply online through the PR Portal with the endorsement, forms and supporting documents.
Optional work permit
If eligible and supported by a referral letter, apply to work while PR is processed.
Complete federal checks
Respond to biometrics, medical, police, security and additional document requests.
Evidence checklist
Documents required for an AIP application
Your personalized checklist depends on family composition, work history, country of residence and the offered occupation.
Identity and family
Passports, civil-status records, photos and documents for declared family members.
Job and employer
Designation confirmation, signed IMM 0157, contract and occupational information.
Work experience
Detailed employer letters, permits where applicable, contracts, pay evidence and tax records.
Education and language
Diplomas, transcripts, valid ECA if required and an approved language test report.
Funds and status
Acceptable settlement-fund evidence or proof of valid work authorization and current Canadian employment.
Endorsement and federal forms
Settlement plan, endorsement certificate, IMM 0155 checklist, IMM 5501 and applicable declarations.
Freshness-sensitive details
AIP fees, funds and processing time
Government charges, settlement-fund thresholds and processing estimates change. Keep them in updateable content modules rather than promising a fixed total or completion date.
Federal PR fees
VariableApplicant, spouse, dependants, right of permanent residence and biometrics may apply.
Based on family size
Check IRCCAn exemption can apply when the applicant already lives and works in Canada with a valid work permit.
No guaranteed timeline
DynamicProvincial endorsement and federal processing are separate stages with changing inventories.
Testing and documents
SeparateLanguage testing, ECA, translations, police certificates and medical examinations may add costs.
Review all figures immediately before submission or payment. Never rely on an undated fee or processing-time estimate.
Check the official AIP page →Work while PR is processed
Optional AIP temporary work permit
An eligible candidate may apply for an AIP-specific employer-restricted work permit while the permanent-residence application is being processed.
The current permit can be valid for two years and requires an eligible job offer plus a referral letter from the Atlantic province. It does not guarantee permanent residence approval.
Choose the correct system
AIP vs PNP vs Express Entry vs RCIP
These pathways can serve similar settlement goals, but they use different selectors, applications and evidence.
| Factor | AIP | PNP | Express Entry | RCIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main selector | Designated Atlantic employer and province endorsement | Province or territory | Federal CRS-based system | Designated rural community and employer |
| Job offer | Required | Varies | Not universally required | Required |
| CRS | Not used | Only for enhanced streams | Core ranking system | Not used |
| Geographic commitment | One of four Atlantic provinces | Nominating province or territory | Outside Quebec, subject to program | Participating rural community |
| Settlement plan | Required | Program-specific | Not an Express Entry profile requirement | Community-specific support |
Prevent avoidable refusals
Common Atlantic Immigration Program risks
Provincial endorsement does not cure inaccurate information or missing federal eligibility.
Designation status alone is not evidence that a vacancy is genuine or that the employer is recruiting.
A title may look similar while the actual duties, skill level or employment requirements do not match.
TEER 4 offers must be permanent; higher-TEER offers must meet the post-PR duration rule.
Program length, school recognition, graduation date, physical presence and study format all matter.
Language results and credential assessments must remain valid at the required application date.
Job loss, employer change, family change or status expiry may require immediate case-specific action.
People also ask
Atlantic Immigration Program FAQs
Natural answers to the eligibility, job-offer, employer, endorsement, work-permit and permanent-residence questions candidates ask most often.
What is the Atlantic Immigration Program?
AIP is an employer-driven pathway to Canadian permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and eligible recent graduates who want to live and work in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador.
Is the Atlantic Immigration Program a PNP?
No. AIP is a federal–provincial program with employer designation and provincial endorsement. It is related to provincial immigration, but it is not a Provincial Nominee Program stream.
Is AIP part of Express Entry?
No. The Atlantic Immigration Program is a separate permanent-residence pathway and does not rank applicants using the Comprehensive Ranking System.
Can I apply for AIP without a job offer?
No. A valid job offer from an employer designated by the Atlantic province where you will work is a core AIP requirement.
Does a designated-employer list show current job vacancies?
Not necessarily. Designation means the province approved the employer to participate; it does not mean the employer is currently hiring or that every offered position qualifies.
Can I apply from outside Canada?
Yes, a qualified candidate may be overseas or living in Canada as a temporary resident. The employer, offer, endorsement and federal eligibility rules still apply.
How much work experience does AIP require?
A skilled worker generally needs at least 1,560 hours of related paid work over the previous five years, accumulated over at least 12 months. An eligible Atlantic graduate may be exempt.
Does self-employed experience count for AIP?
No. IRCC states that qualifying AIP work experience must not come from self-employment. Volunteer work and unpaid internships also do not count.
What IELTS score is required for AIP?
The requirement is expressed as CLB, not one overall IELTS band. TEER 0–3 job offers require at least CLB 5 in all four abilities; TEER 4 requires at least CLB 4.
Which language tests does AIP accept?
Accepted tests include IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada and TCF Canada. Results must be less than two years old when you apply.
Do I need an ECA for the Atlantic Immigration Program?
If your qualifying education was completed outside Canada, you generally need a valid immigration Educational Credential Assessment from a designated organization.
Who qualifies for the international-graduate work-experience exemption?
The exemption has several conditions, including an eligible credential requiring at least two years, recent graduation from a recognized Atlantic institution, full-time study and at least 16 months of residence in an Atlantic province during the final two study years.
What is an AIP settlement plan?
It is an individualized plan prepared after a needs assessment by an approved settlement service provider. It identifies services and resources that can help the candidate and family settle in Atlantic Canada.
What is provincial endorsement under AIP?
After the settlement plan, the designated employer asks the province to endorse the candidate and job offer. If approved, the endorsement certificate becomes a required part of the federal PR application.
Does provincial endorsement guarantee permanent residence?
No. IRCC makes the final decision and independently assesses completeness, eligibility and admissibility, including medical, criminality and security requirements.
Do I need proof of funds for AIP?
Usually yes, based on total family size. You do not need to show settlement funds if you are already living and working in Canada with a valid work permit. Check the current IRCC table before applying.
Can I work while my AIP PR application is processed?
You may qualify for an AIP-specific employer-restricted work permit if you have an eligible offer and a provincial referral letter. The current permit can be valid for two years.
Can my spouse obtain an open work permit?
A spouse or common-law partner may be eligible to apply for an open work permit, subject to the current federal rules and supporting evidence.
How much does the Atlantic Immigration Program cost?
Federal PR, right of permanent residence, biometrics and family fees may apply, plus language testing, ECA, translations, medical and police-document costs. Verify the live IRCC fee list before payment.
How long does the Atlantic Immigration Program take?
There is no guaranteed universal timeline. Provincial endorsement and IRCC permanent-residence processing are separate stages, and published estimates can change with inventory and case complexity.
Build the case around evidence
Check whether your Atlantic job offer creates a real AIP pathway
Get a focused review of employer designation, NOC and TEER, offer duration, work experience or graduate exemption, language, education, funds and endorsement documents.
Last factual review: September 15, 2026. Program rules, provincial intake, employer lists, fees, funds and processing times can change. Confirm all case-specific information through IRCC and the relevant province.
Official AIP information →