The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program is a partnership between the Government of Canada and the 4 Atlantic provinces:

New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island

This program allows employers to hire qualified foreign workers for jobs which they have not been able to fill by Canadian permanent residents and citizens. Candidates would need to have a job offer to be eligible to apply under this stream. You could be overseas or in Canada when you apply for this visa.

In this stream you could get hired under 1 of the 3 following programs:

Atlantic High-Skilled Program
Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program
Atlantic International Graduate Program

You could be eligible under more than one of the above listed programs, but you should only apply under one.

Cost: From CAD $1,040

Processing time: 6 months

STEPS TO APPLY

Gather all your documents before you receive a job offer
Get a valid job offer that meets all relevant criteria
Get a settlement plan ( it is free of charge) – Once you receive a job offer, you and any other family members that are over 18 years would need to get a settlement plan (The plan will help you to settle in Canada, connect you with adequate resources to suit your family needs and provide information about where to get help from the community)

*A settlement service provider organization would help you to get this plan. A copy of the settlement plan must be given to your employer.

Certificate of Endorsement: Get endorsed by an Atlantic province: The job offer you receive must be endorsed by the province. This process will be handled by your employer. The certificate will be sent to you in the mail. This needs to be included along with your permanent residency application
The endorsement application: Your employer will fill out and submit an endorsement application to the province, which will include a copy of your settlement plan. You may be asked to sign some additional forms in the process.
Provide your biometrics (Fingerprint scanning etc)

1. Atlantic high-skilled program

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Minimum 12- months work experience in a management, professional or technical/skilled job
Must have worked for at least 3 years prior to applying, for a minimum of 1,560 hours per year in a skill level O, A or B job on the NOC list.
A Canadian high school diploma or higher / overseas equivalent * You would require an educational credential assessment (ECA) report from a recognized institution to prove that your foreign education credential is valid
Demonstrate minimum English or French language proficiency
Sufficient funds to support yourself and any accompanying family members when you come to Canada * If you are already in Canada on a valid work permit, then this point is exempt to you
A valid job offer that meets the following criteria:
- At-least one-year in duration
- Listed under skill level O, A or B of the NOC list
- Consistent and regular paid employment (Full-time, minimum 30 hours p/w)
- Employer must have a confirmation of designation from the province
- Job offer must be made using the “Offer of employment to a foreign national” form

STEPS TO APPLY

Have a valid job offer that meets all the listed requirements
Meet all other program eligibility criteria
If you have an overseas qualification (Degree/Certificate) you would require an educational credential assessment (ECA) report from a recognized institution to prove that your foreign education credential is valid
Fill out and submit an application form
Attach all relevant supporting documents

2.Atlantic intermediate-skilled program

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Have worked in a job that requires a minimum of a high school certificate and job specific training for at least 12 months
Must have worked for at least 3 years prior to applying, for a minimum of 1,560 hours per year in a skill level C on the NOC list.
A Canadian high school diploma or higher / overseas equivalent * You would require an educational credential assessment (ECA) report from a recognized institution to prove that your foreign education credential is valid
A minimum English or French language proficiency
Sufficient funds to support yourself and any accompanying family members when you come to Canada * If you are already in Canada on a valid work permit, then this point is exempt to you
A valid job offer:
- Length of employment is permanent
- Listed under skill level O, A, B or C of the NOC list
- Consistent and regular paid employment (Full-time, minimum 30 hours p/w)
- Employer must have a confirmation of designation from the province
- Job offer must be made using the “Offer of employment to a foreign national” form

STEPS TO APPLY

Have a valid job offer that meets all the listed requirements
Meet all other program eligibility criteria
If you have an overseas qualification (Degree/Certificate) you would require an educational credential assessment (ECA) report from a recognized institution to prove that your foreign education credential is valid
Fill out and submit an application form
Attach all relevant supporting documents

3. Atlantic international graduate program

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Must hold a degree, diploma or other relevant credential from a publicly funded institution in any of the 4 Atlantic Provinces. The education must:
- Be at least 2 years in length.
- You should have graduated from this institution at-least 12 months prior to applying for permanent residency
- Have been a full-time student in Canada for a minimum of 2 years
- You must have been living in one of the Atlantic provinces for a minimum of 16 months in the 2 years immediately before receiving your education credential
- You had a valid work, study or training visa in Canada
- You are NOT eligible to apply if you are on a scholarship or fellowship which requires you to return to your home country after your graduate
- Under this program, only Canadian education qualifications are considered. However, if you want to include any overseas qualifications in your application, you would need to get an educational credential assessment (ECA) report from a recognized institution to prove that your foreign education credential is valid
Demonstrate a minimum English or French language proficiency
Sufficient funds to support yourself and your family members when you arrive in Canada
This program Does NOT require any prior work experience
A valid job offer:
- The job offer must be at least one year in duration
- Listed under skill level O, A, B or C of the NOC code
- Consistent and regular paid employment (Full-time, minimum 30 hours p/w)
- Employer must have a confirmation of designation from the province.
- Job offer must be made using the “Offer of employment to a foreign national” form

STEPS TO APPLY

Have a valid job offer that meets all the listed requirements
Meet all other program eligibility criteria
If you have an overseas qualification (Degree/Certificate) you would require an educational credential assessment (ECA) report from a recognized institution to prove that your foreign education credential is valid
Fill out and submit an application form
Attach all relevant supporting documents