Atlantic Immigration Program Requirements and Steps
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a permanent route to PR in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. You need a job offer from a designated employer, one year of work experience or an Atlantic credential, CLB 4 or 5, the required education (with an ECA for a foreign credential), settlement funds, a settlement plan and a provincial endorsement. No LMIA is needed.
About 26 months
IRCC's published time for the PR stage, last updated October 9, 2026
1,560 hours
Paid work in the past 5 years, over at least 1 year, unless an Atlantic credential applies
CLB 4 or 5
In all four abilities, set by the TEER level of the job offer
$85
Biometrics fee, in Canadian dollars
The processing time and the fee are read from IRCC’s published figures, which IRCC updates regularly.
What is the Atlantic Immigration Program?
The AIP gives qualified foreign workers and international graduates a route to permanent residence through a job with a designated Atlantic employer. Unlike Express Entry, which is points-based and competitive, the AIP is employer-driven. A job offer from a designated employer is the central requirement, not a high Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
Originally launched as the Atlantic Immigration Pilot in 2017, the program transitioned to a permanent program on January 1, 2022, with PR applications opening on March 6, 2022. It leads directly to permanent residence, not a temporary work permit.
The AIP is not a guaranteed visa, and it does not waive IRCC's federal admissibility checks (security, criminality and medical). Meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee approval: an officer reviews each application.
All four Atlantic provinces take part. Each designates employers and endorses job offers through its own immigration office:
- Nova Scotia (novascotiaimmigration.com).
- New Brunswick (gnb.ca).
- Prince Edward Island (princeedwardisland.ca).
- Newfoundland and Labrador (gov.nl.ca).
Which requirements apply to my job offer?
IRCC's AIP pages set the rules by the TEER category of the job offer (NOC 2021), with a work experience exemption for recent Atlantic graduates. The former pilot's program names are history only.
| Requirement | Offer in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 | Offer in TEER 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Work experience | 1,560 hours of paid work over the past 5 years, over at least 1 year, not self-employed, in the same TEER as the offer or higher. | At least 1 year (1,560 hours) in a TEER 4 occupation in the last 5 years. |
| Job offer | Full-time, non-seasonal, lasting at least 1 year from when you become a permanent resident. | Full-time, non-seasonal and permanent, with no set end date. |
| Language | CLB or NCLC 5 in all four abilities. | CLB or NCLC 4 in all four abilities. |
| Education | TEER 0 or 1: a one-year post-secondary credential or higher. TEER 2 or 3: a high school diploma or higher. | A high school diploma or higher. |
| Settlement funds | Required, unless you already work in Canada on a valid work permit. | Required, unless you already work in Canada on a valid work permit. |
A foreign credential needs an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) under 5 years old. Graduates of a recognized Atlantic post-secondary institution need no prior work experience, and they must meet these conditions:
- A degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship credential that required at least 2 years of full-time study.
- Full-time study throughout, with the credential obtained within 24 months before applying for PR.
- At least 16 months living in an Atlantic province in the 2 years before the credential, with the visa or permit needed to study, work or train in Canada.
- A job offer from a designated employer under the same rules, and the language level tied to its TEER.
How does employer designation work?
The AIP does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Instead, employers must obtain designation from their provincial government before they can offer a position that qualifies under the AIP. If the employer is not designated, you cannot use the AIP, however strong your profile is.
- Employers apply to their provincial government, not IRCC, for designation.
- To be designated, the employer must be in good standing, have operated for at least 2 years in an Atlantic province (or have the province's approval), work with a settlement service provider organization and complete the required training.
- A settlement service provider organization gives the candidate the settlement plan, and the employer works with that organization.
- The job offer must meet the employment requirements listed in the job's NOC.
- Designation replaces the LMIA, so no separate LMIA application is required.
The rule
A qualifying job offer from a designated employer is the foundation of every AIP application.
How do I apply, step by step?
Secure a job offer from a designated employer
The employer must already hold AIP designation from the relevant province. The offer must be full-time, non-seasonal, and meet the employment requirements listed in the job's NOC.
Confirm your eligibility
Check the rules for the TEER category of your job offer and whether the work experience exemption for Atlantic graduates applies to you.
Get a settlement plan
A settlement service provider organization on IRCC’s list for the AIP asks you and your family some questions (a needs and assets assessment). It gives you a personalized settlement plan, with referrals to free services in your new community. Send a copy to your employer.
Your employer applies for provincial endorsement
The province, not IRCC, endorses the job offer. Your employer applies with the settlement plan and the signed offer. No LMIA is needed.
IMM 0157
Receive your Certificate of Endorsement
If the province endorses the job offer, it sends you a Certificate of Endorsement. You submit it with your PR application.
Apply for permanent residence with IRCC
Submit your PR application online through the IRCC portal. Include your Certificate of Endorsement, a copy of your settlement plan, your job offer, language test results, police certificates and other supporting documents.
Biometrics and medical exam
Complete biometrics and an immigration medical exam as required. IRCC cannot finish your application until you give your biometrics.
$85 CAD
Receive your COPR
If approved, you receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). You can land as a permanent resident and begin life in Atlantic Canada.
How long does the AIP take?
AIP processing has two stages: provincial endorsement and IRCC PR processing.
| Stage | Typical timeline |
|---|---|
| Provincial endorsement | Set by each province. Check its AIP page for current timelines. |
| IRCC PR application | About 26 months (IRCC, October 9, 2026). |
| Total (typical) | Endorsement plus about 26 months. |
Actual times vary by province, the completeness of your application and IRCC workload. IRCC updates its processing times regularly, so check the current figure for the Atlantic Immigration Program on IRCC's check-processing-times tool before you apply.
Which free tool checks your own case?
- Pathway ExplorerWhich programs to read about, from a few answers
- Processing TimesIRCC wait times by program
- Document ChecklistTypical documents by application type
Free, with no account. What you enter in a tool stays in your browser.
What do people ask?
What are the Atlantic Immigration Program requirements?
You need a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated employer, and one year (1,560 hours) of work experience in the last 5 years or an eligible Atlantic credential. You also need CLB or NCLC 5 for a TEER 0 to 3 offer, or 4 for TEER 4, the required education (with an ECA for a foreign credential), settlement funds, a settlement plan and a provincial endorsement. The NOC Finder shows your job’s TEER level.
Do I need a job offer before applying for AIP?
Yes. A qualifying job offer from a designated employer is the foundation of every AIP application, and designation replaces the LMIA. For TEER 0 to 3 roles the job must last at least 1 year from when you become a permanent resident, and TEER 4 offers must be permanent. You can be outside Canada; you apply for PR once the province has endorsed the offer. The guide on getting a Canadian job offer from abroad covers the search.
How do I find designated employers for the Atlantic Immigration Program?
Ask the employer, then confirm with the provincial immigration office in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador. Each province grants and tracks designation itself, and IRCC does not. A job offer from an employer without designation cannot be used for the AIP, however strong your profile is. The Pathway Explorer compares the AIP with other employer-driven routes.
Which provinces are in the Atlantic Immigration Program?
Four provinces take part: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Each province designates employers and endorses job offers through its own immigration office; see its website. The program is built for people who intend to live in Atlantic Canada. The guide to Canada’s provinces and territories describes each province.
What language score do I need for AIP?
It depends on the TEER level of your job offer. A TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 offer generally requires CLB or NCLC 5 in all four abilities, and a TEER 4 offer generally requires CLB or NCLC 4. Atlantic graduates meet the level tied to their offer. IRCC’s AIP pages set no rule that the employer must fund language training. The language tests guide explains which tests count.
How long does the Atlantic Immigration Program take?
IRCC’s processing data, last updated October 9, 2026, shows about 26 months for the PR stage. Add the provincial endorsement first, which each province runs on its own timeline. IRCC updates its processing times regularly, so check it before you plan a move or a job start date. The Processing Times page tracks IRCC’s current figures across streams.
What is the difference between the AIP and the Atlantic Immigration Pilot?
They are the same program at different stages. The Atlantic Immigration Pilot ran from 2017 as a temporary pilot and became the permanent Atlantic Immigration Program on January 1, 2022, with PR applications opening on March 6, 2022. Follow the current AIP instructions on IRCC's pages, not the pilot's. The PNP guide covers the other provincial routes.
How much money do I need to show for the Atlantic Immigration Program?
You must show settlement funds to support yourself and your family on arrival, unless you already live and work in Canada on a valid work permit. The amount depends on family size, and IRCC updates it. Check the current amounts on the IRCC website before you apply. The Document Checklist lists the proof IRCC accepts.
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- Ontario PNP (OINP) 2026: Streams and How to Apply
- Saskatchewan PNP (SINP) 2026: Streams & Points
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The economic and family pathways to permanent residence, explained from the published criteria.
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This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.