What is the AIPP (Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program) and How to Apply

June 1, 2022

Wesley Allan

With over 100 immigration and visa programs, Canada is becoming one of the best and most accessible places for immigrants. However, with so many different programs, it is often hard to truly understand which of these many programs is the best program for you.

Each program has its benefits, requirements and specifications in response to the different needs of Canada. Each province has its industries and, as a result, different provinces have different programs to help placate the needs of that province. A great example of one of these programs is The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). Previously known as the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP), the AIP is a fantastic way for you to be applying for permanent residency in Canada

What is the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (Atlantic Immigration Program)?

The AIP is an employer-driven program for employers, specifically in Atlantic Canada. This pilot extends precisely to the Canadian provinces of Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. It is designed to help them find qualified candidates for openings they cannot fill with the local Canadian job market. As a result, Canadian employers have been granted the opportunity to hire international applicants. To get accepted to the AIP, you need a job offer from a designated employer based in Canada.

Within the AIP, there are multiple smaller programs geared specifically for the different types of applicants based on the in demand jobs in Canada. The programs are as follows:

Atlantic International Graduate Program

This is a program for immigrants who have qualified from a publicly-funded Canadian educational institution, specifically in Atlantic Canada.

Applicants need to live in the Atlantic province they have chosen for 16 months out of the last 2 years. In addition, they need to take a French or English language test. They also must prove they have the funds to support themselves and any dependents joining them in Canada.

Atlantic High-Skilled Program

This program is for skilled workers who have at least one year of work experience in management, professional or experienced positions. They need to have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report taken to validate their educational qualifications, provided they studied in another country. As with the International Graduate Program, applicants must pass an approved Language Test to prove they are sufficiently proficient in English or French to live and work in Canada. They also need to present proof of sufficient funds to support themselves.

Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program

This program is for semi-skilled workers with at least one year's experience working in an occupation requiring a high school education or job-specific training. Applicants will need an educational qualification equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma. As a result, the applicant will have to get an ECA report to validate their qualifications. As with the other programs, the applicant will also need to present proof of sufficient funds to fund their life in Canada.

To find out which program you belong to, you must find out where your job is classified under the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC). If you are unsure of how to find your classification, take a look at this article or talk to a Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) who can help you to understand how the NOC system works and which Canada NOC code best suits your qualifications and experience.

How do you apply for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program?

Applying to the AIPP Canada requires an application form from both the prospective employer and applicant to be accepted. There are different requirements for the employer, applicant and the potential job itself.

Before you apply

Before you can start applying for permanent residency in Canada via the Atlantic Immigration Program, you need a local endorsement from one of the Atlantic provinces. Each province has its application and endorsement procedures which you must follow to be considered eligible.

Step 1: Ensure Your Eligibility

The first thing you must do when putting together your application is to ensure you, your employer and your job offer fulfill the Atlantic Immigration Program requirements.

Employer Requirements

The prospective employer has to become designated by the provincial government of the Atlantic province. This allows your employer to hire foreign workers for a specific position. Often the employer will have to prove that they have actively searched for a local employee to fill their company's vacancy but have been unable to. The requirements differ depending on the province and industry of the employer. To find which requirements you need to fulfill, the Canadian government has a step-by-step guide on becoming designated in your province.

Job Offer Requirements

To apply to the Canada AIPP you need a job offer from a designated employer. Once your employer has a designation, there are also requirements for your job offer to be considered for the Atlantic Immigration Program. The requirements are as follows:

The job offer must be for a full-time position.
The job offer cannot be for seasonal employment.
For Canada NOC code 0, A or B skill level or type jobs, the employer must be offering a job that will last at least one year after applying for permanent residency in Canada and gaining it.
Your job offer must be for a permanent job for Canada NOC code C jobs, meaning it has no set end date.
The job offer cannot come from companies where either you or your spouse own a majority share.
The job offer must be for work either at the same skill level or higher than your work experience to qualify for the job.
However, there are certain exceptions to this rule, including:
- If you have graduated from a designated learning institution in Atlantic Canada as an international student.
For specific health care jobs, specifically:
- Practical Nurses (NOC 3233)
- Registered Nurses (NOC 3012)
- Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates (NOC 3413)
- Home Health Care Workers (NOC 4412)

If your job offer fulfills all of these requirements, you will need to submit your application documents to begin your application process.

Step 2: Collect Your Documentation

Documentation Requirements

There are many different documents required for each program. However, the core documents that are required for the Canada AIPP are as follows:

The results of one of the four government-approved Canadian language tests
Your ECA report
Your proof of work experience, unless you are a recent graduate of a DLI in Atlantic Canada.
Proof of sufficient finances.

Settlement Plan:

On top of the documentation required, you will also need a Settlement Plan. A settlement plan is a free plan that covers all the steps sponsored immigrants need to take to settle successfully in Canada.

If you are already living in Canada, you must work with a settlement plan service provider in the region where you will be working. In this case, they must be in Atlantic Canada. Your designated employer is allowed to help you find one.

Several settlement plan service providers can help you if you are living outside Canada. Your designated employer should help you find the right one.

Step 3: Fill Out Your Forms

Both you and your employer must fill in and submit several forms to the Canadian government to process your application for the AIP.

Applicant Forms:

You will have many forms to fill out that clarify every aspect of your eligibility for the AIP. The most important ones are as follows:

Generic Application Form for Canada
Additional Dependents/Declaration
- this is only applicable if you have dependents immigrating with you
Schedule A – Background/Declaration form
Economic Classes – Atlantic Immigration Program

All of these forms can be found on the Canadian government website.

Employer Forms:

As with all of the Atlantic Immigration Programs, the forms your employer must submit differ depending on your program. However, an employer's most important form for all AIP applications is an Offer of Employment to a Foreign National under the Atlantic Immigration Program. Your employer must fill out the form and then give it to you to submit with your application, as you need to sign the declaration at the bottom.

Once all of your forms are complete, you must submit them to the Canadian Immigration Portal.

Step 4: Pay Your Fees Online

Multiple fees must be taken into account for your application process. Often your employer will cover these fees as a part of your hiring. The table below breaks down the different fees.

AIP Cost
Fee	Price
Your application	$1,325.00
Your application (without right of permanent residence fee)	$825.00
Include your spouse or partner	$1,325.00
Include your spouse or partner (without right of permanent residence fee)	$825.00
Include a dependent child	$225.00 (per child)
Biometrics – per person	$85.00
Biometrics – per family (2 or more people)	$170.00

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Once you have completed all of your forms and acquired all of your documents and designations, you must submit your application, preferably via mail, to the address in the AIP instruction guide. After that, all that is left to do is wait the necessary processing time before starting your journey to living and working in Atlantic Canada.

FAQs

Do you need Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to apply to the AIP?

No. In most cases, the applicant must obtain a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to get a Canadian job offer valid for immigration purposes. However, through the AIP, LMIA is not required. Instead, your job offer must be from a designated Canadian employer.

Can I work in Canada while my Canada AIPP is processed?

Yes. At the same time, you apply for your AIP, you can also apply for a temporary work permit. The process for getting a temporary work permit is the same as using the AIP, and it allows you to start working while your AIP application is processed.

How long does the AIP last once you get it?

When it was the AIP, it used to be a temporary program. It was so successful that it had become a permanent program and was renamed the AIP at the beginning of 2022. As it currently stands, the Canadian government has no plans to change the nature of the AIP.

Time to Start Your Journey To Canada

You are now equipped to start your process of applying to the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program. If you live and work in either Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia or New Brunswick, the Atlantic Immigration Program may be your program. If you have any further questions or need help with your Canada AIPP application, click the button below to speak to an RCIC and start your journey to Atlantic Canada today!