Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) 2026: Requirements, Eligibility & Process
A source-led guide for Indians covering the designated-employer offer, settlement plan, provincial endorsement, and permanent residence application.
About 26 months (federal)
CAD 1,590 federal fee + biometrics
Permanent
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a permanent residence pathway for skilled foreign workers and international graduates who plan to settle in one of Canada's four Atlantic provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador. Before applying, you need a valid job offer from a designated employer.
What does AIP Canada mean?
AIP Canada meaning: the Atlantic Immigration Program explained
AIP Canada meaning: the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a permanent residence pathway for skilled foreign workers and international graduates who plan to live in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, or Prince Edward Island. Searches for AIP visa Canada usually refer to this program. Some Atlantic graduates may qualify for an exemption from the work-experience requirement if they meet current IRCC conditions.
AIP is employer-driven. You need a valid full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated employer in one of the four Atlantic provinces. You cannot apply through AIP without that offer.
After you receive the offer, complete a needs assessment with a designated settlement service provider. The provider prepares your settlement plan. Your employer then sends the plan and job offer to the province for endorsement. After endorsement, submit your permanent residence application and supporting documents to IRCC.
AIP may fit you if you meet the job's education, language, and work-experience requirements and plan to live in the province that endorses your offer. A recent Atlantic graduate may be exempt from the work-experience requirement only if current IRCC conditions are met: the qualifying degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship certification took at least 2 years at a recognized post-secondary institution in an Atlantic province, it was completed less than 2 years before the PR application, the applicant studied full-time, lived in an Atlantic province for at least 16 months during the 2 years before graduating, and held the visa or permit required to work, study, or train in Canada where applicable.
Official sources:AIP eligibilitysettlement planPR application process
Eligibility
Who can apply for Atlantic Immigration Program?
- Foreign workers with a valid job offer from a designated employer in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador
- Applicants with at least 1,560 hours of related paid work experience accumulated over at least 1 year within the past 5 years and meeting IRCC NOC/TEER rules, unless they qualify for the recent Atlantic international graduate exemption
- International graduates from a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada who still have a valid job offer from a designated Atlantic employer and may qualify for the work-experience exemption only if current IRCC conditions are met: the qualifying degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship certification took at least 2 years at a recognized post-secondary institution in an Atlantic province, it was completed less than 2 years before the PR application, the applicant studied full-time, lived in an Atlantic province for at least 16 months during the 2 years before graduating, and held the visa or permit required to work, study, or train in Canada where applicable
- Applicants who meet the minimum language requirements: CLB 5 for TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 job offers, and CLB 4 for TEER 4 job offers
- Applicants who can show enough settlement funds to support themselves and their family (unless already living and working in Canada with a valid work permit)
- Applicants who complete a needs assessment and get a settlement plan from a designated settlement service provider
- Applicants who genuinely intend to live and work in the endorsing Atlantic province after becoming permanent residents
- Spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children can be included on the same AIP application
AIP requires a valid job offer from a designated employer in an Atlantic province. Employers must apply to their provincial government for designation — you cannot use an offer from a non-designated employer. Visit canada.ca/atlantic-immigration for the current designated employer list.
Requirements
What are the requirements and key details of Atlantic Immigration Program?
- Participating Provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Designated Employer Job Offer: Mandatory. The employer must be designated by the relevant Atlantic provincial government before making an AIP job offer
- Job Offer Duration: At least 1 year after permanent residence for TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 job offers; permanent employment with no set end date for TEER 4 job offers
- Language — TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3: Minimum CLB 5 in all four abilities (reading, writing, listening, speaking)
- Language — TEER 4: Minimum CLB 4 in all four abilities
- Work Experience: At least 1,560 hours of related paid work experience accumulated over at least 1 year within the past 5 years, meeting IRCC's NOC duties and TEER rules for the job offer
- International Graduate Exemption: A recent Atlantic graduate may be exempt from the work-experience requirement only if current IRCC conditions are met: the qualifying degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship certification took at least 2 years at a recognized post-secondary institution in an Atlantic province, it was completed less than 2 years before the PR application, the applicant studied full-time, lived in an Atlantic province for at least 16 months during the 2 years before graduating, and held the visa or permit required to work, study, or train in Canada where applicable.
- Education: TEER 0 or 1 job offers require a Canadian one-year post-secondary credential or higher, or the foreign equivalent; TEER 2, 3, or 4 requires Canadian high school or higher, or the foreign equivalent. For education completed outside Canada, an ECA specifically for immigration purposes is required. Some jobs may require a higher level of education, and architects (NOC 21200), doctors (NOC 31100, 31101, or 31102), and pharmacists (NOC 31120) require the special ECA organization listed by IRCC
- Settlement Plan: Must complete a needs assessment and get a settlement plan from a designated settlement service provider
- Provincial Endorsement: Province reviews the job offer and settlement plan and issues an endorsement letter before the candidate can apply to IRCC
- Federal Government Fee: CAD 1,590 per adult (CAD 990 processing + CAD 600 RPRF); CAD 270 per dependent child
- Biometrics Fee: CAD 85 (individual); CAD 170 (family of 2+)
- Federal Processing Time: About 26 months for a current AIP estimate; IRCC updates this monthly and does not guarantee the result
Fit snapshot
Is AIP likely to fit your situation?
This is a first-routing snapshot, not an eligibility determination. AIP may be worth exploring when you can answer “yes” or “I can verify it” to each point below:
- Designated-employer offer: you have, or can realistically pursue, a qualifying offer from an employer designated by an Atlantic province.
- Atlantic destination: you genuinely intend to live and work in the province that endorses the offer.
- Eligibility evidence: your education, language results, and qualifying work experience match the job offer and current IRCC rules. If you rely on the graduate exemption, A recent Atlantic graduate may be exempt from the work-experience requirement only if current IRCC conditions are met: the qualifying degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship certification took at least 2 years at a recognized post-secondary institution in an Atlantic province, it was completed less than 2 years before the PR application, the applicant studied full-time, lived in an Atlantic province for at least 16 months during the 2 years before graduating, and held the visa or permit required to work, study, or train in Canada where applicable.
- Foreign education evidence: education completed outside Canada is supported by an ECA specifically for immigration purposes, with any occupation-specific ECA rule checked.
- Settlement planning: you can complete a needs assessment, obtain a settlement plan, and show settlement funds if IRCC requires them.
If a designated employer, province choice, or document requirement is still unclear, use the consultation action below to discuss the next evidence you should gather.
Route choice
AIP vs PNP: which route may fit?
Some searches use “Atlantic immigration nominee program” as a label for AIP, but AIP is distinct from a Provincial Nominee Program. Neither route is universally better; the practical choice depends on your job offer, province, evidence, and intended destination.
| Decision factor | AIP | PNP |
|---|---|---|
| Main dependency | A qualifying offer from a designated Atlantic employer. | A nomination under a province or territory's available stream. |
| Government step | The Atlantic province endorses the employer offer and settlement plan. | The province or territory assesses you for its nomination criteria. |
| Destination | You intend to settle in the endorsing Atlantic province. | You intend to settle in the nominating province or territory. |
| Practical next action | Verify the employer's designation and start the settlement plan process. | Compare the requirements of the province-specific streams you may qualify for. |
If an Atlantic employer route is not realistic, review the Canada Provincial Nominee Program guides alongside your target province. If you are still deciding, talk to a counselor about the route evidence you can actually assemble.
Documents
What are the documents required for Atlantic Immigration Program?
- Valid passport and travel documents for all applicants and accompanying family members
- Job offer letter from a designated employer in an Atlantic province on company letterhead, specifying the position, NOC TEER level, wage, hours, and start date
- Provincial endorsement letter issued by the relevant Atlantic provincial government confirming the job offer and settlement plan have been reviewed and approved
- Settlement plan from a designated settlement service provider, sent to the employer and included with the provincial endorsement application
- Language test results from an IRCC-approved test (IELTS General Training, CELPIP, TEF Canada, TCF Canada, or PTE Core) demonstrating the required CLB level
- Educational credentials and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) specifically for immigration purposes for education completed outside Canada; architects (NOC 21200), doctors (NOC 31100, 31101, or 31102), and pharmacists (NOC 31120) must use the special ECA organization listed by IRCC
- Proof of Atlantic graduation and the graduate-exemption conditions, including official transcripts, the qualifying credential, full-time study, Atlantic residence, and the required visa or permit, if relying on the conditional international graduate exemption
- Work experience documentation, such as employer reference letters and other evidence covering 1,560 hours accumulated over at least 1 year within the past 5 years, when the work-experience requirement applies
- Proof of settlement funds if not currently working legally in Canada
- Medical examination results from an IRCC-approved panel physician
- Police certificates and other background documents required by IRCC for you and accompanying family members
- Biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) at a designated collection centre
- Proof of relationship for spouse, common-law partner, or dependent children (marriage certificate, birth certificates, adoption papers)
Application Process
How to Apply for Atlantic Immigration Program: Step-by-Step Process
Confirm Your AIP Eligibility
Confirm that you can meet the AIP requirements for a designated employer job offer, related work experience accumulated over at least 1 year within the past 5 years or the conditional international graduate exemption, education, language test results, settlement funds, and intention to live in the endorsing Atlantic province.
Find a Designated Employer
Search the provincial designated employer registries for Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, or Newfoundland and Labrador. Approach designated employers in your NOC group. The employer must hold valid designation at the time they make you a job offer — you cannot use an offer from a non-designated employer.
Complete a Pre-Arrival Needs Assessment
After you have a job offer, complete a needs assessment with a designated settlement service provider. The provider identifies the settlement services you and your family may need after arriving in the Atlantic province.
Provider Prepares the Settlement Plan; Employer Submits It
After the needs assessment, your designated settlement service provider prepares the settlement plan. Your designated employer then sends the settlement plan and job offer to the province for endorsement, and the province reviews them against the AIP program criteria.
Receive Provincial Endorsement
If the province approves the job offer and settlement plan, it issues a provincial endorsement letter to you. This endorsement is required before you can apply to IRCC. Keep the endorsement letter — you will submit it as part of your federal PR application.
Submit Your Federal PR Application to IRCC
Using the provincial endorsement letter and all required supporting documents, submit your permanent residence application to IRCC online through the PR Portal. Pay the current fees shown on the IRCC fee page and ensure all documents are complete.
Complete Medical Exam and Biometrics
After submitting your PR application, follow any IRCC instructions for a medical examination with an approved panel physician and for biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) at a designated collection centre.
Receive PR Approval and Land in Canada
Once IRCC approves your application, you receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a PR visa (if outside Canada). Land at a Canadian port of entry to activate your permanent resident status. Settle in the endorsing Atlantic province and connect with the settlement service provider to begin your settlement plan.
Atlantic Immigration Program is an employer-driven pathway to permanent residence built around a designated employer job offer, provincial endorsement, settlement support, and a federal PR application. The route can make sense for applicants whose work, education, language results, and destination plans align with current IRCC requirements.
The central practical task is finding a designated employer in one of the four Atlantic provinces. Review the provincial employer information and the current IRCC eligibility criteria before applying or paying fees.
For detailed insights on eligibility, document checklist, visa validity, and common refusal reasons, explore PR Visa FAQs guide to know the answers of all your questions.
Last updated August 25, 2026
Official IRCC sources used for this Atlantic Immigration Program guide
AIP requirements, job-offer rules, fees, and processing times can change. Use these Canada.ca pages as the final authority before accepting a job offer, paying fees, or submitting documents.
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Settle in Canada Editorial Team
Canada immigration content reviewers
Reviews visa guidance against IRCC and Canada.ca sources before publication.
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FAQ
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) FAQs
To qualify for the exemption, the applicant's degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship certification must have taken at least 2 years to complete at a recognized post-secondary institution in an Atlantic province. They must have completed it less than 2 years before applying for permanent residence, studied full-time, and lived in an Atlantic province for at least 16 months during the 2 years before graduating. They must also have held the visa or permit required to work, study, or train in Canada, where applicable.
They still need the other AIP requirements, including a valid job offer from a designated employer.
Related Resources
Explore more about Atlantic Immigration Program
Not sure whether AIP fits your situation?
Talk to our counselors about a designated-employer route, settlement planning, and the next documents to verify.