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Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The Atlantic Immigration Program is a permanent residence pathway for eligible skilled workers and recent graduates with a qualifying job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada. Argus can help you understand the employer, provincial endorsement and federal immigration stages.

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Overview

What is the Atlantic Immigration Program?

AIP is a federal-provincial permanent residence pathway for eligible skilled workers and recent graduates who want to live and work in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador.

The program is employer-driven and requires a qualifying job offer from a designated employer.

Eligibility

Who can qualify for AIP?

Applicants must have a qualifying designated-employer job offer and meet the applicable education, language and settlement requirements. Skilled workers generally need qualifying work experience. Certain recent graduates of recognized Atlantic institutions can be exempt from the work-experience requirement.

Key requirements

Job offer, settlement plan, endorsement and funds

Designated employer

The employer must be designated by the Atlantic province.

Job offer

The offer must be full-time, non-seasonal and meet the duration rules for the TEER level.

Settlement plan and endorsement

The applicant obtains a settlement plan and the province must endorse the job offer.

Proof of funds

Usually required unless the applicant is already living and working in Canada with a valid work permit.

Application process

How AIP works

  1. Employer becomes designated.
  2. Candidate receives a qualifying job offer.
  3. Candidate completes eligibility and settlement-plan steps.
  4. Employer requests provincial endorsement.
  5. After endorsement, submit the PR application to IRCC.
  6. Where eligible, consider the optional temporary work permit.
Documents

Documents commonly needed for AIP

  • passport and civil-status documents;
  • designated-employer job offer;
  • provincial endorsement;
  • work-experience evidence where required;
  • education/ECA and language results;
  • settlement plan and proof of funds where required;
  • police, medical and family documents.
Temporary work option

Can you work while AIP PR is processing?

Eligible AIP applicants may be able to apply for a temporary employer-specific work permit while PR is processed. This is a separate application and requires a qualifying job offer and provincial referral letter.

Common issues

Common AIP application problems

  • employer not designated;
  • job offer not meeting full-time, non-seasonal or duration rules;
  • missing settlement or endorsement steps;
  • work experience not qualifying; and
  • assuming designation guarantees candidate approval.
Professional support

How Argus can help with AIP

Argus can review candidate eligibility and the job offer, explain designation, settlement and endorsement steps, prepare or review the PR file and assist with an eligible temporary work permit.

FAQs

Atlantic Immigration Program FAQs

Which provinces participate?

New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Do I need a designated employer?

Yes.

Can some Atlantic graduates qualify without skilled work experience?

Yes, if they meet the specific graduate exemption rules.

Do I need proof of funds?

Usually, unless you meet the working-in-Canada exemption.

Official information

Current government sources

Immigration rules can change. These pages were reviewed against current official sources on September 23, 2026:

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Your next step

Discuss your immigration case with Argus

Every application depends on the individual facts and the rules in force when you apply. A consultation can help identify the requirements, documents and issues most relevant to your situation.