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Atlantic Immigration Program

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The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates from a Canadian institution who want to work and live in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Atlantic Immigration Program aims to:

  • Help local employers recognize, recruit, and retain global talent
  • Support population growth in Atlantic Canada
  • Develop a skilled workforce
  • Increase employment rates
  • Support the overall Atlantic Growth Strategy with focus on skilled workforce and immigration, clean growth and climate change, trade & investment, and infrastructure growth

Who Can Apply?

To apply for this program, foreign nationals must:

  • Hold a valid job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada
  • Have a settlement plan for themselves (and family, if applicable) upon arrival

Eligible candidates include skilled workers (with at least 1,560 hours of qualifying work experience in the five years before applying) and recent international graduates of a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada. Candidates may be living abroad or in Canada as temporary residents.

Streams Under the AIP

The AIP no longer includes the Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program (AISP). As of January 1, 2022, the AIP replaced the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP), which closed on December 31, 2021. The current AIP has two main streams:

UPDATE: The AISP was part of the old AIPP pilot. The permanent AIP (since 2022) focuses on skilled workers and international graduates.

  • Atlantic High-Skilled Program – for skilled workers in managerial, professional, or technical/trade occupations (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3)
  • Atlantic International Graduate Program – for graduates from recognized Atlantic Canadian post-secondary institutions

Language Requirements

Language requirements are based on the NOC TEER category of the job offer: CLB/NCLC 5 for TEER 0 or 1 positions; CLB/NCLC 4 for TEER 2, 3, or 4 positions. Language test results must be less than 2 years old at the time of application.

Proof of Funds

Effective July 29, 2025, IRCC updated the proof of funds requirements for the Atlantic Immigration Program. Applicants who are already living in Canada and working with a valid work permit are exempt from the proof of funds requirement. All other applicants must demonstrate they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family upon arrival. Updated financial thresholds apply, please check the IRCC website for the most current amounts.


UPDATE: IRCC updated proof of funds requirements effective July 29, 2025.

Temporary Work Permit While Waiting

If you have a job offer from a designated employer and a referral letter from the Atlantic province where you’ll be working, you can apply for a temporary work permit to work in Canada while your PR application is processed.

Note: AIP endorsees do not qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP), as the Atlantic Immigration Program is employer-driven.

Employer Designation

Employers in Atlantic Canada must first be designated by the provincial government of the relevant Atlantic province before they can make a job offer through the AIP. There is no cost to become a designated employer.

Each province maintains its own list of designated employers:

  • New Brunswick: www2.gnb.ca
  • Newfoundland and Labrador: www.gov.nl.ca/immigration
  • Nova Scotia: novascotiaimmigration.com
  • Prince Edward Island: www.princeedwardisland.ca

Provincial Nominee Programs in Atlantic Canada

Each of the four Atlantic provinces also operates its own Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) with an Express Entry-aligned stream:

  • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
  • New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
  • Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)

In 2026, the AIP is expected to welcome approximately 4,000 new permanent residents, reflecting a stable and employer-driven intake strategy with priority given to healthcare, skilled trades, construction, and French-speaking workers.

Connect with our experienced RCICs (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants) for detailed guidance on each Atlantic PNPs. Our professionals will also assist you in selecting a suitable program for your immigration to Atlantic Canada.