Atlantic Immigration Program

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa Name	Atlantic Immigration Program (Permanent Residence)
Stay	Permanent
Cost	Processing, biometrics, and RPRF fees apply
Eligibility Timing	1,560 hours work experience over 5 years
Work Rights	Full permanent work authorization
Study Rights	Not stated in the source
Medicare / Health Coverage	Not stated in the source
Travel Facility	Not stated in the source
Citizenship Pathway	Not stated in the source
Family Inclusion	Spouse, partner, and dependent children included
Visa Record	Permanent Resident Card / e-COPR
Optional Work Permit	Valid for 2 years (employer-specific)

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Purpose & Overview

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is an economic immigration pathway that allows foreign skilled workers and international graduates to obtain permanent residence (PR) to live and work in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces:

• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island

Candidates can also apply for an optional 2-year employer-specific temporary work permit to begin working while their permanent residence application is processed.

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Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Atlantic Immigration Program, you must satisfy requirements across several core areas:

1. Valid Job Offer

• Designated Employer: The job offer must come from a designated employer in an Atlantic province.
• Duration & Hours: Must be full-time (at least 30 hours per week) and non-seasonal.
  • TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3: Must be for at least 1 year from the time you become a permanent resident.
  • TEER 4: Must be for permanent employment (no set end date).
• Ownership Restriction: You or your spouse/partner cannot be majority owners of the business offering the job.
• Skill Alignment: Must be at the same or higher skill level as your qualifying work experience.

2. Qualifying Work Experience

• You must have accumulated at least 1,560 hours of paid, non-self-employed work over a minimum of 1 year within the last 5 years.
• Unpaid internships and volunteer work do not count. Canadian work experience must have been completed with a valid work permit.
• The National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER level of your experience must align with the job offer:
  • Job Offer TEER 0: Experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4.
  • Job Offer TEER 1: Experience in TEER 1, 2, 3, or 4.
  • Job Offer TEER 2: Experience in TEER 2, 3, or 4.
  • Job Offer TEER 3: Experience in TEER 3 or 4.
  • Job Offer TEER 4: Experience in TEER 4.
• Healthcare Exception: Work experience in NOC 31201 (licensed practical nurses) or NOC 31301 (registered nurses) may be used for job offers in NOC 33102 (TEER 3) or NOC 44101 (TEER 4).

Atlantic International Graduate Exemption

You are exempt from the work experience requirement if you meet all of the following:

• Completed a degree, diploma, certificate, trade, or apprenticeship program lasting at least 2 years from a recognized post-secondary institution in an Atlantic province.
• Obtained the credential within 2 years before applying for permanent residence.
• Were enrolled as a full-time student for the entire program duration.
• Lived in an Atlantic province for at least 16 months during the 2 years prior to graduation.
• Held valid temporary authorization to study, work, or train in Canada.
• Ineligible Studies: Programs where English/French second-language study or distance learning made up half or more of the course, or programs tied to a scholarship/fellowship requiring a return to your home country, do not qualify.

3. Education Requirements

• Job Offer in TEER 0 or 1: Canadian 1-year post-secondary credential (or foreign equivalent).
• Job Offer in TEER 2, 3, or 4: Canadian high school diploma (or foreign equivalent).
• Foreign Credentials: Must have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) issued for immigration purposes within the past 5 years from a designated body:
  • Comparative Education Service (CES)
  • International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
  • World Education Services (WES)
  • International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
  • International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)
  • Special ECA organizations: CACB (Architects - NOC 21200), MCC (Doctors - NOC 31100, 31101, 31102), PEBC (Pharmacists - NOC 31120).
• Regulated Occupations: An ECA does not grant a professional license. Foreign credential recognition must be completed separately before practicing in a regulated profession.

4. Language Proficiency

You must submit test results less than 2 years old showing the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) scores:

• TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 offers: Minimum CLB/NCLC 5 across all four abilities (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking).
• TEER 4 offers: Minimum CLB/NCLC 4 across all four abilities.

Accepted Tests

• English: CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training, PTE Core.
• French: TEF Canada, TCF Canada.

5. Proof of Funds

Applicants who are not currently living and working in Canada with a valid work permit must show sufficient unencumbered settlement funds.

Number of Family Members	Minimum Funds (CAD) (as of July 29, 2025)
1	$3,815
2	$4,750
3	$5,840
4	$7,090
5	$8,042
6	$9,070
7	$10,098
Each additional member	+$1,028

• Fund Rules: Funds cannot be borrowed or based on real property equity. Funds must be documented through official bank letters on financial institution letterhead showing account details, outstanding debts, and a 6-month average balance.

6. Settlement Plan and Provincial Endorsement

• You must obtain a personalized settlement plan for you and your family from a designated settlement service provider organization.
• Provide the completed settlement plan to your employer.
• The employer submits the plan to the province to receive a Confirmation of Provincial Endorsement.

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Optional Temporary Work Permit

Eligible applicants with a qualifying job offer and provincial referral letter may apply online for an employer-specific temporary work permit before their PR application is finalized:

• Validity: 2 years.
• Work Authorization: Restricted to the designated employer who made the offer.
• Spouses/Partners: May apply for an open work permit.
• Requirements: Submission of IMM 0156 (Undertaking for an LMIA-exempt work permit), provincial referral letter, language test results, educational credentials, and work experience evidence.

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Family Provisions

• You must declare all family members (spouse/common-law partner and dependent children), even if they are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or not accompanying you to Canada.
• Accompanying family members must be included in background, identity, and medical clearance assessments.
• If a minor child is traveling without both parents/guardians, form IMM 5604 (Separation Declaration for Minors) signed in front of a notary public or official proof of sole custody/death certificate is required.
• Spouses or common-law partners can apply for open work permits while PR is being processed.

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Required Documents & Forms

Digital Portal Forms (Filled Online)

• Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)
• Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)
• Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)
• Supplementary Information - Your Travels (IMM 5562)

PDF Upload Forms

• Document Checklist (IMM 0155)
• Economic Classes – Atlantic Immigration Program (IMM 5501)
• Offer of Employment to a Foreign National (IMM 0157)
• Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409) (if applicable, with 1+ year cohabitation evidence)
• Separation Declaration for Minors Travelling to Canada (IMM 5604) (if applicable)
• Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) / Authority to Release Personal Information (IMM 5475) (if applicable)

Supporting Evidence

• Employer Documents: Confirmation of employer designation and signed IMM 0157.
• Endorsement & Settlement: Confirmation of Provincial Endorsement and Settlement Plan.
• Work Experience: Reference letters (detailing duties, hours, salary, employer contact info), contracts, pay stubs, T4 tax slips, Canadian work permits (if applicable).
• Education: Diplomas, degrees, transcripts, and ECA report (valid for 5 years).
• Language: Test score sheet (valid for 2 years).
• Proof of Funds: Official bank letterhead statements.
• Civil Status & Identity: Valid regular passports (diplomatic/service passports not accepted), birth certificates, marriage/divorce/annulment/death certificates, national ID/family registry.
• Photos: Taken within the last 12 months for each applicant/family member.
• Police Certificates: Required for every country lived in for 6 or more consecutive months since turning 18 (typically valid for 1 year).
• Status in Canada: Current temporary permits or entry stamps (if applying from inside Canada).
• Translations: Certified translations and translator affidavits for all documents not in English or French.

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Application Steps

1. Secure Job Offer & Settlement Plan: Obtain an eligible full-time job offer from a designated employer; complete a needs assessment with a settlement provider to obtain a settlement plan.
2. Obtain Provincial Endorsement: Your employer submits the endorsement package to the province; receive your Confirmation of Provincial Endorsement.
3. Prepare Application: Gather all required forms, civil documents, ECA, test results, police certificates, and translations per IMM 0155.
4. Apply Online: Create an account in the Permanent Residence Portal (or request an alternate format email if disability accommodations are required). Complete digital forms, upload PDF forms and supporting files, and sign electronically.
5. Pay Fees Online: Pay processing fees, biometrics fees, and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF). Attach fee receipts.
6. Submit Application: Submit the complete application through the PR Portal.
7. Complete Biometrics & Medical Exams:
   • Give biometrics within 30 days of receiving the IRCC instruction letter (applicants aged 14 to 79).
   • Complete medical exams with an approved panel physician upon request.
8. Finalize Permanent Residence: Pay any outstanding RPRF, receive your electronic Confirmation of Permanent Residence (e-COPR) or permanent resident visa, and provide a Canadian mailing address within 180 days to receive your PR card.

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Settlement & Obligations

• Customs Declaration: You must declare funds over CAN$10,000 when crossing the Canadian border; undeclared funds are subject to seizure and fines.
• PR Card Address Notification: Provide your Canadian residential address within 180 days of landing using the online tool to avoid card cancellation and re-application fees.
• Social Insurance Number (SIN): Use your signed confirmation of permanent residence to apply for a SIN to work and access benefits.
• Newcomer Services: Starting April 1, 2026, economic class permanent residents will have access to settlement services for a limited period.

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Important Warnings

• Representatives: You do not need to hire an immigration representative. If you choose to use one, paid representatives must be legally authorized, and unpaid representatives must be declared using IMM 5476. No representative is permitted to electronically sign your portal application.
• Incomplete Applications: Incomplete submissions will be rejected and sent back without processing.
• Medical Inadmissibility: Applications will be refused if an applicant or family member has a health condition that poses a danger to public health/safety or places excessive demand on Canadian social/health services.
• Maintaining Legal Status: Applicants waiting inside Canada must maintain valid temporary resident status until permanent residence is granted.