Atlantic Immigration Pilot
A pathway to permanent residence for students and experienced workers with ties to Atlantic provinces
Popular streams under Atlantic Immigration Program for foreign workers and international students with a valid job offer from a designated Atlantic employer in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador
International students graduated from a public institution in Atlantic provinces
Graduation
Job offer
Language
CLB 5 for TEER category 0, 1, 2, 3 occupations
Settlement fund
Candidate outside Canada with work experience in priority occupations
Work experience
Job offer
Education
Language
Settlement fund
Candidate outside Canada having work experience and job offer with local employer
Work experience
Job offer
Education
Equivalent to Canadian high-school for the job offer under TEER category 2, 3 or 4 occupations
Equivalent to 1-year post-secondary credential for the job offer under TEER category 0 or 1 occupations
Language
Settlement fund
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee the applicant will be granted permanent resident status.
The candidate may qualify for multiple programs.
Process timeline of reviewing the application between applicant with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Application submission
Submit the permanent resident application to IRCC when all minimum requirements are met and have legal status.
Biometrics collection
Receive a request from IRCC for biometrics collection at visa application centers to verify identity and admissibility.
Medical examination
Receive a request from IRCC for a medical examination with panel physicians to provide proof of the health conditions.
Decision
Application approved, the passport is required from IRCC to have a counterfoil visa attached to it and ready to come to Canada.
IRCC reviews in 14 months
Get PR Status
Application approved, the applicant gets Permanent Resident status after landing or confirming on IRCC Portal.
Eligible applicants may apply for a 1-year work permit
to work for the same employer who offered the job while waiting for the decision on their permanent residence application.
Crucial elements affect the decision
Benefits the applicant and their accompanying family members are entitled to when becoming permanent residents
Family-friendly
The immigration application includes the applicant's spouse and children
Work and study
May qualify for 1-year work permit while waiting for permanent residence
Medical
Access to high-quality modern public health care as same as Canadian
Education
Free or lower tuition for children depends on the level of education
Benefits
Access to social benefits as same as Canadian
Mobility right
Live and work anywhere under Permanent Resident status
Sponsorship
Ability to sponsor relatives if the conditions are met
Naturalization
Ability to obtain citizenship if residency conditions are met
Important requirements the applicant should note
- Atlantic Immigration Program is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates who want to settle permanently in Atlantic provinces including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador
- Applicants may qualify for 1-year work permit while waiting for permanent residence
Immigration Ineligibility
- Receive a government-funded grant or scholarship that requires a return to the home country after graduation and have not yet done so
- Misrepresentation: directly or indirectly misrepresenting or withholding material facts that cause or may cause administrative errors of the government
- Have failed to comply with any immigration act or regulation
- Have a family member who is inadmissible to Canada
- Financial ground: unable or unwilling to financially support yourself and accompanying family members
- Medical ground: have a health condition that is dangerous to public health, public safety or may cause excessive demand on health or social services
- Have committed a crime, including impaired driving
- Membership in criminal organizations for activities such as human trafficking or money laundering
- National security reasons: espionage, subversion of government, violence or terrorism, or membership of related organizations
- Violations of human rights or international law such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, or being a prescribed senior official of a government that engages or has engaged in these activities
Basic requirements
- Prepare a settlement plan to adapt to a new life in Canada by working with a settlement service provider organization in the region free of charge
Job offer
- Full-time non-seasonal position
- At least 1 year if under TEER category 0, 1, 2, 3 occupations or permanent if under TEER category 4 TEER job position from a designated Atlantic employer
- Be endorsed by the province and provide the Certificate of Endorsement
Education
- Have graduated a 2-year post-secondary program within the last 2 years from a public institution in Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador)
- Have resided in the Atlantic provinces during your studies for at least 16 months within the preceding 24 months of the time of application
Language
Minimum at:
- CLB/NCLC 5 for the job offer under TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations
- CLB/NCLC 4 for the job offer under TEER category 4 occupations
Assessed by 1 of 4 language proficiency tests within the last 2 years:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP-General)
- Pearson Test of English - Core (PTE-Core)
- Test d'évaluation de français (TEF)
- Test de connaissance du français Canada (TCF Canada)
Settlement fund
Unless current working in Canada on a valid work permit, must have proof of funds to support yourself and family members during the period of adaptation after your arrival, based on Low Income Cut-Off threshold and family size:
| Number of family members | Funds required (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $3,439 |
| 2 | $4,281 |
| 3 | $5,263 |
| 4 | $6,391 |
| 5 | $7,248 |
| 6 | $8,175 |
| 7 | $9,101 |
| Each additional family member | $926 |
- Atlantic Immigration Program is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates who want to settle permanently in Atlantic provinces including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador
- Applicants may qualify for 1-year work permit while waiting for permanent residence
Immigration Ineligibility
- Receive a government-funded grant or scholarship that requires a return to the home country after graduation and have not yet done so
- Misrepresentation: directly or indirectly misrepresenting or withholding material facts that cause or may cause administrative errors of the government
- Have failed to comply with any immigration act or regulation
- Have a family member who is inadmissible to Canada
- Financial ground: unable or unwilling to financially support yourself and accompanying family members
- Medical ground: have a health condition that is dangerous to public health, public safety or may cause excessive demand on health or social services
- Have committed a crime, including impaired driving
- Membership in criminal organizations for activities such as human trafficking or money laundering
- National security reasons: espionage, subversion of government, violence or terrorism, or membership of related organizations
- Violations of human rights or international law such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, or being a prescribed senior official of a government that engages or has engaged in these activities
Basic requirements
- Prepare a settlement plan to adapt to a new life in Canada by working with a settlement service provider organization in the region free of charge
Job offer
- Permanent full-time non-seasonal under TEER category 4 occupations from a designated Atlantic employer
- Be endorsed by the province and provide the Certificate of Endorsement
Work experience
- Full-time or equivalent for at least 1 year (1560 hours) of relevant work experience within the last 3 years
- Including work experience obtained during studies within the conditions allowed by the study permit
- Related to the job offer under TEER category 4 occupations, unless work experience in NOC 32101 - licensed practical nurses or 31301 registered nurses are qualified for the job offer in NOC 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates or 44101 – Home health care workers
Education
- Equivalent to Canadian high-school
- Foreign education credential(s) must be assessed by Educational Credential Assessment
Language
Minimum at:
- CLB/NCLC 4 for the job offer under TEER category 4 occupations
Assessed by 1 of 4 language proficiency tests within the last 2 years:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP-General)
- Pearson Test of English - Core (PTE-Core)
- Test d'évaluation de français (TEF)
- Test de connaissance du français Canada (TCF Canada)
Settlement fund
Unless current working in Canada on a valid work permit, must have proof of funds to support yourself and family members during the period of adaptation after your arrival, based on Low Income Cut-Off threshold and family size:
| Number of family members | Funds required (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $3,439 |
| 2 | $4,281 |
| 3 | $5,263 |
| 4 | $6,391 |
| 5 | $7,248 |
| 6 | $8,175 |
| 7 | $9,101 |
| Each additional family member | $926 |
- Atlantic Immigration Program is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates who want to settle permanently in Atlantic provinces including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador
- Applicants may qualify for 1-year work permit while waiting for permanent residence
Immigration Ineligibility
- Receive a government-funded grant or scholarship that requires a return to the home country after graduation and have not yet done so
- Misrepresentation: directly or indirectly misrepresenting or withholding material facts that cause or may cause administrative errors of the government
- Have failed to comply with any immigration act or regulation
- Have a family member who is inadmissible to Canada
- Financial ground: unable or unwilling to financially support yourself and accompanying family members
- Medical ground: have a health condition that is dangerous to public health, public safety or may cause excessive demand on health or social services
- Have committed a crime, including impaired driving
- Membership in criminal organizations for activities such as human trafficking or money laundering
- National security reasons: espionage, subversion of government, violence or terrorism, or membership of related organizations
- Violations of human rights or international law such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, or being a prescribed senior official of a government that engages or has engaged in these activities
Basic requirements
- Prepare a settlement plan to adapt to a new life in Canada by working with a settlement service provider organization in the region free of charge
Job offer
- At least 1 year full-time non-seasonal under TEER category 0, 1, 2, 3 occupations from a designated Atlantic employer
- Be endorsed by the province and provide the Certificate of Endorsement
Work experience
- Full-time or equivalent for at least 1 year (1560 hours) of relevant work experience within the last 3 years
- Including work experience obtained during studies within the conditions allowed by the study permit
- Related to the job offer under TEER category 4 occupations or higher, unless work experience in NOC 32101 - licensed practical nurses or 31301 registered nurses are qualified for the job offer in NOC 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates or 44101 – Home health care workers
Education
- Equivalent to 1-year post-secondary credential for the job offer under TEER category 0 or 1 occupations
- Equivalent to a Canadian high school credential for the job offer under TEER category 2 or 3 occupations
- Foreign education credential(s) must be assessed by Educational Credential Assessment
Language
Minimum at:
- CLB/NCLC 5 for the job offer under TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations
Assessed by 1 of 4 language proficiency tests within the last 2 years:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP-General)
- Pearson Test of English - Core (PTE-Core)
- Test d'évaluation de français (TEF)
- Test de connaissance du français Canada (TCF Canada)
Settlement fund
Unless current working in Canada on a valid work permit, must have proof of funds to support yourself and family members during the period of adaptation after your arrival, based on Low Income Cut-Off threshold and family size:
| Number of family members | Funds required (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $3,439 |
| 2 | $4,281 |
| 3 | $5,263 |
| 4 | $6,391 |
| 5 | $7,248 |
| 6 | $8,175 |
| 7 | $9,101 |
| Each additional family member | $926 |
