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Subclass AIPEmployer-driven PR

Atlantic Immigration Program

Overview

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a federal permanent residence pathway for skilled workers and international graduates who have a job offer from a designated employer in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador. It is employer-driven: you do not enter an Express Entry pool. Designated employers offer qualifying jobs, you complete a settlement plan, the province issues an endorsement, and you apply to IRCC for PR. Recent graduates of recognized Atlantic institutions may be exempt from the usual work-experience requirement.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Job offer from an employer designated by an Atlantic province
  • Offer must be full-time (at least 30 hours/week), non-seasonal, and in a job you can and will do
  • TEER 0–3 offers: at least 1 year from when you become a permanent resident; TEER 4 offers: permanent (no set end date)
  • Language: CLB/NCLC 5 for TEER 0–3 job offers; CLB/NCLC 4 for TEER 4
  • Education that matches the job’s TEER (foreign credentials usually need an ECA)
  • Qualifying paid work experience unless you are an international graduate of a recognized Atlantic post-secondary institution
  • Settlement plan from a designated settlement-service provider
  • Intend to live and work in the Atlantic province that endorses you

Application Process

1

Find a designated AIP employer in NB, NS, PEI, or NL and receive a qualifying job offer

2

Connect with a settlement-service provider and complete a settlement plan

3

The employer applies to the province for endorsement; you receive an endorsement certificate

4

You may get a work-permit support letter to work in Canada while IRCC processes PR

5

Submit the permanent residence application to IRCC with the endorsement and supporting documents

6

Complete medical, police, and biometrics requirements

7

If approved, live and work in Atlantic Canada with employer and settlement-service support

Processing Time

Provincial endorsement first, then IRCC PR processing — check current IRCC times

Based on current DHA estimates

Application Costs

PR processing + Right of Permanent Residence FeeCheck IRCC fee list
BiometricsCAD $85 (CAD $170 family max)
Language test / ECA (if required)Third-party — variable

Key Tips

  • AIP is not Express Entry — there is no CRS score or invitation round
  • Only designated employers can make AIP offers; check the provincial designated-employer lists
  • Atlantic graduates may skip the work-experience requirement if the institution and program qualify
  • TEER 4 is available under AIP (with a permanent offer and CLB 4), unlike CEC/FSW which require TEER 0–3
  • Confirm job-offer duration, language, and education rules on canada.ca — they differ by TEER