Thinking of permanent residency in Canada (as a skilled immigrant)? The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) is available aside from the popular Express Entry.
This post here covers:
- What is the Atlantic Immigrant Pilot Program (AIPP)
- How to become a permanent resident in Canada using the AIPP
- AIPP requirements and procedures
- How to look for AIPP job offers
- AIPP Application Fees and Costs involved
What is the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP)?
Canada’s Atlantic region (comprising the four provinces of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador) is one of the 5 regions in the country. The other 4 regions are:
- West Coast (British Columbia)
- Central Canada (Ontario and Quebec)
- The Prairies (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta) and
- The Northern Territories (Nunavut, Yukon, Northwest Territories)
In 2017, the Government of Canada started the Atlantic Immigrant Pilot Program (AIPP). The AIPP started as an initial 3-year pilot (and has now been made permanent). The program allows local employers in the Atlantic provinces to identify, recruit and retain global talent.
The program also helps employers in Atlantic Canada to hire foreign skilled workers who want to immigrate to Atlantic Canada and international graduates who wish to stay in Atlantic Canada after they graduate.
This aims to support population growth, develop a skilled workforce, and increase employment rates in the Atlantic region. More information on this is available here
AIPP Requirements
There are 3 sub-programs in AIPP:
- Atlantic International Graduate Program (for graduates from an institution in the region). Details available here
- Atlantic High-skilled Program (if you have 1-year experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 jobs). Details available here
- Atlantic Intermediate-skilled Program (if you have 1-year experience in a TEER 4 job or as a Nurse). Details available here
Any of the 3 sub-programs above can be used to hire qualified candidates (in or outside Canada) for jobs the employers in Atlantic Canada have not been able to fill locally.
If you’re applying outside Canada, your focus should be the Atlantic High-skilled or Intermediate-skilled Program.
The sub-category of the program to choose is based on the NOC/TEER classification of your job. If you want to know the NOC category of your job or work experience, you can find your NOC here.
Once the NOC/TEER is decided, there are other requirements to fulfill.
Importantly, the AIPP is an employer-driven program. What this means is that you must have an eligible job offer from a designated employer in the Atlantic province. Looking for a job offer is, therefore, the first thing to do. There are several ways to do this, and I will explain below.
The job offer must also be:
- Full-time
- Non-seasonal
- Fit the NOC level of the program you are applying to; and
- Last for at least one (1) year in duration (1 year from the time the candidate becomes a permanent resident) if you’re offered a NOC 2021 TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 category job. or a permanent position if you’re offered a NOC 2021 TEER 4 category job.
How to look for AIPP job offers
There are designated employers for the AIPP in the four (4) Atlantic provinces. What this means is that these are the only employers you can get a job offer from, and use the job offer for the AIPP.
- Designated employers in Prince Edward Island are available here
- Designated employers in Nova Scotia are available here
- Designated employers in New Brunswick are available here
- Designated employers in Newfoundland and Labrador are available here
Please note that this list does not mean the employers are currently recruiting.
However, with the list of designated employers in each province, you know where to search for available jobs. Almost (if not) all the employers have websites with career/recruitment sections. The next practical steps to take in looking for a job are:
- Decide your NOC
- Find employers in your field
- Look up the career websites of the employers in your field
- Regularly visit their websites for available jobs
- Prepare your application packages and continue to reach out and apply to as many jobs as you can
- Look for and connect with recruiters in these provinces to help with your job search as well
Some employers/provinces also regularly travel around the world to scout for employees. New Brunswick is very popular for this. Available global recruitments in New Brunswick can be found here
Other AIPP Procedures
Once you get a job offer from a designated employer, some paperwork will be done by both the employer and the applicant, and you are good to go with your Permanent Residence Application.
In cases where it is urgent to fill the position, applicants may be eligible to apply for a temporary work permit to come into Canada to begin their job before the application for permanent residence is finalized. Details available here
Language Test/Proof of Funds/Application Fees
Compared to the popular Express Entry system, the language score and proof of settlement funds required for the AIPP are also lower.
- The required language test score for AIPP is a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4. Details of this are available here
- As of April 2024, the required proof of funds (POF) for AIPP is also by family members. In comparison, the POF for one applicant in Express Entry is $13,757; and in AIPP it is just $3,439. Details available here
- The application fees for the AIPP are the same as other permanent residence applications in Canada
Submitting your final AIPP Application
You can only submit your application for Permanent Residence (under the AIPP), after you and the employer have completed all the steps above.
Unlike the Express Entry, the AIPP is also a paper application (although IRCC is currently testing a new online application portal. You will mail your application to the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Sydney, NS, Canada.
Summary of AIPP Process
In summary, to become a permanent resident in Canada through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP).
- Decide your eligibility for the program.
- Find and receive an eligible job offer from a designated employer
- Do all the paperwork to get the required endorsement
- Apply for a work permit to arrive and begin your job in Canada (if you are eligible for that)
- Submit your application for Permanent Residence.
I hope someone finds this useful!
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NB: The posts and information on this website are not legal advice.
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