ATLANTIC IMMIGRATION PILOT PROGRAM

The Atlantic immigration pilot is aimed at skilled workers who are seeking permanent residence in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces, namely Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The pilot is also open to foreign graduates who have completed their studies in one of these four provinces.

The option to immigrate is a lot more accessible to qualified and skilled individuals. Your experience and/or qualification gives you an automatic advantage over other immigration applicants. Countries are naturally more open to individuals who will add value to their economy. Due to the high retirement rates in Canada, there is a large gap in the job market, especially in rural and regional areas where population growth is slow.

Canada’s economy is riding high largely due to its progressive immigration policies. They are attracting skilled individuals from all over the world who all want to be a part of the blossoming and diverse nation. Because the economy is expanding so rapidly, creating positions that urgently need to be filled while there is simultaneously a gap being formed by early retirees means the time has never been better to claim your position in a country on the up.

The First Step

In order to participate in the pilot, you must receive a job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada. Along with this offer, you must also ask for a copy of the employer’s Confirmation of Designation. If they do not have one ask them to consider becoming designated as you will not be able to apply to the program if they are not.

There are three programs within the Atlantic Immigration pilot, they are:

Atlantic International Graduate Program

• This program is for individuals who have attained a qualification from a publicly funded institution in one of the Canadian Atlantic provinces;
• You will need to have lived in the province for a minimum of 16 months in the two years before attaining your qualification;
• You will have to take a language test, regardless of the language you completed your studies in; and
• You must be able to prove you will be able to support yourself as well as any dependents that will be staying with you.

Atlantic High-Skilled Program

• To apply for this program, you must have at least one year of experience working in management, professional or skilled job;
• You must have a foreign degree or diploma equal to a Canadian credential, for which you will need an Educational Credential Assessment  (ECA)  report done;
• You will need to take an approved language test to prove you are proficient enough in English or French to live and work in Canada; and
• You need to have proof of funds that meet the minimum required amount to support yourself as well as any dependents regardless of whether they are joining you in Canada or not.

Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program

• To apply for this program, you must have at least one year’s experience working in a position that requires a high school education or job-specific training;
• You must have a high school diploma equal to a Canadian credential, for which you will need an Educational Credential Assessment  (ECA report;
• You will need to take an approved language test to prove you are proficient enough in English or French to live and work in Canada; and
• You need to have proof of funds that meet the minimum required amount to support yourself as well as any dependents regardless of whether they are joining you in Canada or not.

If you aren’t sure which program is right for you, simply click the link below, complete our general eligibility application form and let one of our accredited RCICs guide you through the entire process.

Make sure your job offer meets the following requirements:

• Your offer must be completed on an Offer of Employment to a Foreign National form;
• As stipulated before, make sure your employer has been designated as one taking part in the AIP by the province;
• Only full-time jobs qualify, this means a minimum of 30 paid working hours per week and excludes seasonal work meaning you are employed full time;
• It is the correct job skill type for the program as listed by the National Occupational Classification;
• The offer must be for a minimum of one year; and
• Lastly, you must meet the requirements as stipulated by the job offer. This means you are both qualified and capable of performing all the duties as required by the position.

Temporary Work Permit

You can apply for a temporary work permit at the same time as you apply for your AIP. The requirements are the same as for the AIP and it will allow you to start working while your AIP application is being processed.

As of 1 June 2019, your common-law partner or spouse is also eligible to apply for an open work permit if your work permit has been attained through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot.