Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
The Atlantic Coast of Canada is known for its beautiful natural sceneries, world-famous educational institutions, and amazing seafood. Did you know that since 2017, the Canadian government has been implementing a program allowing foreign nationals to apply for permanent residence specifically in the Atlantic region without the usual tedium of standard PR applications?
The Atlantic Immigrant Program is a pathway to permanent residence for foreign workers and international graduates who want to work and live in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces, which are Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. The program encourages applications for permanent residence from those who can contribute to the growth of the Canadian economy, as well as address labour market challenges in the Atlantic region.
This program is employer-driven, meaning that an applicant needs an endorsement from a designated employer (i.e., identified by a province through a publicly available list) before applying for permanent residence. In addition, the applicant must have a comprehensive settlement plan.
Unlike the usual immigration application processes for work permits, employers looking to hire foreign nationals under the Atlantic Immigrant Program do not need to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment. Instead, they must be approved for eligibility by being designated and endorsed by the provincial government.
There is no age requirement for this program, and it is not points-based. As such, applicants who are aged out through the Express Entry route may find this program to be a preferred option. The factors used in this program are the following:
Language - you must take a language test and send the results with your application. You must do this even if you studied in Canada. Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 is the minimum required language proficiency.
Education - if you studied outside Canada, you need an Educational Credential Assessment report. This shows how your education compares to a Canadian one. It’s easier to get this document while still in your home country.
Settlement Plan - this is drawn up by a settlement organization designated by the government.
Proof of Funds - when you arrive in Canada, you need to prove that you have enough money to support yourself and your family. The amount of money you need to support your family is set by the size of your family.
There are three program streams of the Atlantic Immigrant Program which target different types of candidates. Each stream has its own distinct requirements that both the employer and the applicant must meet:
Atlantic High-Skilled program – this stream is for skilled workers who have completed secondary school, and who have accumulated within the last three years at least one year’s worth of full-time job experience in the management, professional or technical/skilled field. On the employers’ end, the job offer must be non-seasonal, full time, and must last for at least one year.
Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled program – this stream is for skilled workers who have completed secondary school and/or occupation specific training. Applicants must also have accumulated within the last three years at least one year’s worth of full-time job experience in occupations that require completion of secondary school and/or occupation specific training. On the employers’ end, the job offer must be non-seasonal, full time, and permanent or indeterminate.
Atlantic International Graduate program – this stream is for skilled workers who have graduated from an Atlantic post-secondary program of at least two years in duration. The applicant must have lived for at least sixteen months in the Atlantic province where he/she studied. This stream has no work experience requirement. On the employers’ end, the job offer must be non-seasonal, full time, and must last for at least one year.