The new Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program will bring in 2,000 new immigrants this year. This program is aimed at skilled workers and international student graduates who wish to settle in one of the four Atlantic provinces – Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. This program is employer-driven and requires applicants to have a job offer from a Canadian business. However, this program does not require employers to first obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Employers looking to hire workers from overseas to quickly fill an open position will be able to first offer them a job. Once the foreign worker has accepted the job offer, they will then have to develop a settlement plan for themselves and their accompanying family members.
There are three options for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot program – two for skilled workers and one for international student graduates. Each program has its own set of requirements but the minimum requirements for all three programs are as follows:
You must have a job offer from a designated employer in an Atlantic province;
You must get an endorsement letter from the province where you intend to reside;
You must meet the minimum level language requirement in English or French; and
You must show that you have enough funds to support yourself and your family (unless you are already living and working in Canada with a valid work permit).
To qualify for this program, you must have work experience in a high-skilled occupation (NOC 0, A, or B). This experience may be gained either inside or outside Canada. You will need to meet the following requirements to qualify under the Atlantic High-Skilled Program:
Have at least one year of work experience within the last three years (up to 1,560 hours total or 30 hours per week) of paid work in one occupation matching NOC 0, A, or B;
Have a Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree or a valid foreign education with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report; and
Meet all other requirements of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot program (job offer, language, proof of funds).
Intermediate-skilled workers must have work experience at NOC C. If you have valid work experience in both intermediate and high-skilled occupations, you should apply for the High-Skilled Program. However, if your work experience falls into the intermediate skill, you will need to meet the following requirements:
Have at least one year of work experience within the last three years (up to 1,560 hours total or 30 hours per week) of paid work in one occupation matching NOC C;
Have a Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree or a valid foreign education with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report; and
Meet all other requirements of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot program (job offer, language, proof of funds).
International students who have graduated and wish to settle in one of the four Atlantic provinces may be eligible to apply under the Atlantic International Graduate Program. Graduates are not required to have any work experience. Graduates will need to meet the following requirements:
Have a minimum two-year degree, diploma, certificate or trade credential from a recognized institution in an Atlantic province;
Been a full-time student in Canada for at least two years;
Graduated in the last year before applying;
Lived in one of the Atlantic provinces for a minimum of 16 months in the two years before graduating;
Hold the necessary visa or permit for work, study, or training in Canada; and
Meet all other requirements of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot program (job offer, language, proof of funds).
Applications under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot program are now being accepted. Find out if you meet the requirements of one of the three available programs by taking our free online assessment.
If you do not meet the requirements for this program, you may still be eligible to immigrate to one of the four provinces under their individual Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). Click on one of the links below to find out more about the PNP for one of the Atlantic provinces.
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSPNP)
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
Our certified legal representatives can assist you with all of your immigration needs. Call us today for answers to any of your immigration questions or take our free online assessment to see if you qualify for any of the available Canada Immigration Programs.
