Federal Permanent Residence Pathway | Nova Scotia · New Brunswick · PEI · Newfoundland and Labrador

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a federal-provincial economic immigration pathway designed to help employers in Atlantic Canada recruit and retain skilled foreign workers and international graduates. AIP allows eligible applicants with a valid job offer from a designated employer in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

AIP became a permanent program on 1 January 2022 after originally running as the Atlantic Immigration Pilot from 2017. Since 2017, AIP has been one of the most direct employer-driven PR pathways in Canada — particularly for candidates whose Express Entry CRS scores would not be competitive in general federal draws.

Halani Immigration Services Inc. provides professional guidance for AIP applications. Our services are led by Shoukat Qumruddin Halani, RCIC-IRB, a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants - CICC under License No. R711322.

Why AIP Matters in 2026

The four Atlantic provinces continue to use AIP as a primary pathway to address regional labour-market needs and population growth. AIP differs from Express Entry and provincial PNPs in three ways:

Employer-driven: Without a job offer from a designated AIP employer, AIP is not available. Candidates without an offer should consider Express Entry, PNP, or other pathways.
Intermediate-skilled access: AIP is one of the few federal economic-class pathways that admits TEER 4 (intermediate-skilled) candidates, alongside TEER 0/1/2/3.
International graduate stream without work experience: Recent graduates of Atlantic public post-secondary institutions can apply through AIP's International Graduate stream without any work experience requirement.

Three AIP Categories

AIP has three application streams. The applicant chooses the stream that matches their work experience and education.

Atlantic High-Skilled

TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3

At least one year of work experience in the past five years in a job at TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. Suitable for managers, professionals, supervisors, and skilled technical occupations.

Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled

TEER 4

At least one year of work experience in the past five years in a job at TEER 4 (intermediate occupations such as administrative assistants, retail/wholesale workers, light-duty cleaners). Note: AIP does not include TEER 5 occupations.

Atlantic International Graduate

Recent graduate

Graduated within the past 24 months from an at least two-year publicly funded post-secondary program at a recognized Atlantic institution. No work-experience requirement for this stream. Must have lived in the endorsing Atlantic province for at least 16 of the 24 months before graduation.

Eligibility Requirements

An AIP application has the following minimum requirements (subject to each province's variations):

A genuine, full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated AIP employer in one of the four Atlantic provinces. The job offer must be at least one year for High-Skilled, two years for Intermediate-Skilled, and one year for International Graduate.
The job offer's TEER level must match or be higher than the work-experience category (e.g. someone applying under Intermediate-Skilled with TEER 4 work experience may receive a job offer at TEER 4 or higher).
Language: CLB 5 minimum for High-Skilled and Intermediate-Skilled streams (English or French), CLB 4 minimum for International Graduate. Approved tests: IELTS General, CELPIP-G, TEF Canada, TCF Canada.
Education: Canadian high-school diploma or equivalent (with Educational Credential Assessment for foreign credentials). The job offer's education requirements must be met.
Proof of settlement funds (unless the applicant is already working in Canada with a valid work permit).
A settlement plan completed with a designated AIP settlement service provider organization (SPO) for the principal applicant and any accompanying family members.
A Provincial Endorsement letter from the endorsing Atlantic province confirming the job offer and the applicant's intention to settle in that province.
Genuine intention to live in the endorsing province. AIP applicants must establish that they will reside in the province that endorsed them.

Four Atlantic Provinces

Nova Scotia

Halifax Regional Municipality + rest of province. Strong demand in healthcare, hospitality, skilled trades, IT, and ocean-tech.

Cities: Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, Sydney, Truro, New Glasgow, Antigonish, Yarmouth.

New Brunswick

Bilingual province with strong demand in healthcare, manufacturing, food processing, IT, and trades. French-speaking applicants have additional opportunities.

Cities: Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton, Dieppe, Riverview, Bathurst, Edmundston, Miramichi.

Prince Edward Island

Smallest province by population. Strong demand in tourism, fisheries, agriculture, healthcare, and skilled trades. Tight-knit communities favour applicants who commit to settling locally.

Cities: Charlottetown, Summerside, Stratford, Cornwall, Montague, Souris.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Resource-driven economy with demand in healthcare, fisheries, IT, hospitality, and skilled trades. NL has actively used AIP to support population growth and labour-market needs.

Cities: St. John's, Mount Pearl, Conception Bay South, Paradise, Corner Brook, Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Our AIP Process

Step 1 - Eligibility Assessment

We evaluate the applicant's work experience, education, language ability, and the four-province fit against current AIP allocations and labour-market priorities.

Step 2 - Designated Employer Identification

We help applicants identify and connect with designated AIP employers in their target province. Only employers on the provincial designated-employer list can issue qualifying AIP job offers.

Step 3 - Job Offer Validation

We review the job offer documentation to confirm TEER alignment, wage adequacy, duration, and other eligibility factors before the applicant accepts and the employer files for endorsement.

Step 4 - Settlement Plan

We coordinate the settlement plan with a designated service provider organization. The settlement plan covers housing, employment for accompanying family, language training, schools, healthcare registration, and community connection.

Step 5 - Provincial Endorsement

The designated employer applies for endorsement from the province. The province reviews the job offer, the employer's recruitment effort, and the applicant's profile, then issues an endorsement letter where eligible.

Step 6 - Federal PR Application

With the provincial endorsement letter in hand, the applicant submits the federal permanent residence application to IRCC. AIP has a target processing time of approximately six months for most complete applications.

Step 7 - Bridging Work Permit (if needed)

Where appropriate, applicants who are not yet in Canada or whose existing work permit is expiring may apply for an employer-specific AIP work permit, which allows them to start work for the designated employer while the PR application is being processed.

AIP vs the Atlantic Provincial Nominee Programs

AIP and the four Atlantic PNPs (NSNP, NBPNP, PEI PNP, NLPNP) are separate pathways. They sometimes overlap in eligibility criteria but use different application channels, processing timelines, and selection mechanisms.

AIP is federally co-administered, employer-driven, and includes a mandatory settlement plan with a designated SPO.
Provincial PNP streams are administered by each province independently and may not require a designated employer or settlement plan, though many of them require provincial labour-market support or specific occupational targeting.
Many candidates qualify for both AIP and a provincial PNP stream. Selecting the right pathway depends on the job offer (designated AIP employer vs other employer), the province's current allocations and draw priorities, and processing speed. We model both options for every Atlantic-focused client.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Atlantic Immigration Program still open?

Yes. AIP was made a permanent federal-provincial program effective 1 January 2022 after running as the Atlantic Immigration Pilot from 2017. The four Atlantic provinces continue to use AIP as a primary employer-driven economic immigration pathway. 2026 federal levels include continued AIP allocations across the four provinces.

Do I need a job offer to apply for AIP?

Yes. AIP is strictly employer-driven. You must hold a genuine job offer from an employer that has been designated by the province where you intend to work. No-job-offer pathways do not exist under AIP — applicants without a job offer should consider Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, or other pathways.

How do I find a designated AIP employer?

Each of the four Atlantic provinces publishes its list of designated employers on the provincial immigration website. The Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland and Labrador immigration portals list current AIP-designated employers. We help applicants identify suitable employers and prepare credentials and supporting materials that align with the kinds of roles these employers typically fill.

How long does the AIP process take?

From job-offer acceptance to permanent residence, the AIP process typically runs 8 to 14 months in total. Provincial endorsement processing varies by province (often 2 to 6 weeks). Federal IRCC processing for AIP PR applications targets approximately six months for complete applications. A bridging work permit can allow the applicant to begin working in Canada within weeks of endorsement.

Is AIP the same as the Atlantic provinces' PNP streams?

No. AIP and the provincial PNPs are distinct pathways. AIP is a federal program co-administered by the four Atlantic provinces and IRCC. PNP streams are administered by each province under bilateral agreements with the federal government. Each province also runs its own PNP (NS NSNP, NB NBPNP, PEI PNP, NL NLPNP) with separate streams, eligibility, and allocations. Many candidates qualify for both AIP and provincial PNP options — selecting the right pathway is a strategy decision based on job-offer characteristics, processing speed, and applicant profile.

Can my spouse and children come with me?

Yes. Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children can be included on the AIP PR application. Accompanying family members are also covered by the settlement plan. After arrival in Canada, the principal applicant works under the AIP-supported job and the spouse may be eligible for an open work permit while the PR application is in process.

What if I want to move to another province after getting PR through AIP?

Section 6(2) of the Charter guarantees mobility rights within Canada, so a permanent resident is legally free to move anywhere. However, AIP applicants make a representation to the endorsing province that they intend to live there. Moving away shortly after landing may raise misrepresentation concerns if the original intention was not genuine. Most AIP newcomers do settle in the endorsing province; if circumstances genuinely change after a meaningful period of residence, mobility is not legally restricted but should be documented.

Related Pathways

Start Your Atlantic Immigration Program Application

If you have a job offer or graduation credential connected to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, or Newfoundland and Labrador, professional AIP guidance can help you secure permanent residence efficiently.

Book a Consultation

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

Immigration Services

Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant

Ready to get started?