Top 5 Atlantic Immigration Programs (AIP) [2025-2026 Guide]

TL;DR: The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a federal-provincial partnership designed to help employers in Canada's Atlantic provinces—New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island—hire skilled foreign workers and international graduates. To apply, you must first secure a valid job offer from a designated employer in one of these provinces, meet language, education, and work experience requirements, and obtain a provincial endorsement before submitting your permanent residence application to IRCC.

Canada's Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a powerful pathway for newcomers seeking a vibrant community and career opportunities in Eastern Canada. This guide breaks down the five core components and pathways of the AIP for 2025-2026, providing clear steps and insider knowledge to simplify your journey. Whether you're a skilled worker or an international graduate, understanding these options is your first step toward calling Atlantic Canada home.

What is the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)?

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a permanent federal immigration pathway that allows designated employers in Canada's four Atlantic provinces to hire foreign nationals to fill labour shortages. According to IRCC’s official program page, the AIP is a key part of Canada's strategy to support economic growth in the Atlantic region. You cannot apply directly to the AIP; you must first be nominated by a province after receiving a job offer from an approved employer.

The program is employer-driven, meaning your journey starts with finding a job. Employers must be designated by the province to participate and must also support you and your family with a settlement plan. The AIP has been highly successful in attracting and retaining newcomers, addressing critical skill gaps in sectors like healthcare, technology, and skilled trades.

• Provincial Partnership: The AIP is a collaboration between the federal government and the governments of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
• Permanent Residence: Successful applicants and their families receive Canadian permanent resident status.
• Employer Requirement: A valid job offer from a designated employer in an Atlantic province is mandatory.
• Settlement Support: Employers must help you develop a personalized settlement plan for your arrival.

What are the 3 Main Streams Under the AIP?

The AIP consists of three main streams, each targeting a different group of applicants. The concise answer is that you can apply through the Atlantic High-Skilled Program, the Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program, or the Atlantic International Graduate Program. Your eligibility depends on your work experience, job offer, and education.

1. Atlantic High-Skilled Program This stream is for candidates with skilled work experience in managerial, professional, or technical occupations (typically NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3). Your job offer must be for a permanent, full-time position in a high-skilled occupation. You need at least one year of work experience in the past five years, and the experience must be paid and skill-based.

2. Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program This stream targets candidates with experience in intermediate-skilled occupations, such as many skilled trades and administrative support roles (typically NOC TEER 4). Similar to the high-skilled stream, you need one year of work experience in the past five years. Your job offer must be for a permanent, full-time position in an intermediate-skilled occupation.

3. Atlantic International Graduate Program This stream is for international graduates who have earned a diploma, degree, or other credential from a recognized publicly-funded institution in an Atlantic province. You do not need prior work experience. You must have lived in an Atlantic province for at least 16 months in the two years before earning your credential and have a job offer from a designated employer in the province.

• Stream Selection: Your job offer's National Occupational Classification (NOC) code determines which stream you apply under.
• Work Experience: For the skilled worker streams, experience can be gained inside or outside Canada.
• No LMIA Required: Job offers under the AIP are exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process.
• Education Credential Assessment (ECA): Required for the skilled worker streams if your education is from outside Canada.

Confused about which NOC code your job falls under, or how your foreign education compares? Evola AI's platform can instantly analyze your job offer and credentials against the official NOC database and provide guidance on your next steps, a task that often requires costly legal consultation.

What are the Eligibility Requirements for the AIP?

To be eligible for the Atlantic Immigration Program, you must meet several core requirements set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The concise answer is that you need a valid job offer, sufficient work experience (for skilled workers), language ability, education, and proof of settlement funds.

First, you must have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated employer in an Atlantic province. The offer must be for at least one year. Second, you must meet the language requirement: a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 in English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 5 in French for all streams. Third, you need a post-secondary education of at least one year in duration.

For the skilled worker streams, you must have at least one year of relevant work experience. You must also show you have enough money to support yourself and your family when you arrive in Canada, unless you are already working legally in the country. According to the official Government of Canada AIP eligibility page, all these criteria must be met before your employer can apply for your provincial endorsement.

• Job Offer: Must be from a designated employer and meet provincial wage standards.
• Language Proof: Results from an approved language test (like IELTS or CELPIP for English) are mandatory.
• Education: You need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if your degree/diploma is from outside Canada (not required for Atlantic International Graduates).
• Settlement Funds: You must prove you have enough money for your family size, as per IRCC's updated low-income cut-off (LICO) requirements.

Unsure of your exact CLB score or how your language test results convert? Use Evola AI's free CLB Converter Tool to get an instant, accurate conversion from IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF scores, ensuring you confidently meet the AIP's language threshold.

What is the Step-by-Step Application Process?

The AIP application process is a multi-stage journey involving both the employer and the candidate. The concise answer is that the process involves 1) getting a job offer, 2) receiving provincial endorsement, and 3) applying to IRCC for permanent residence.

Step 1: Find a Job with a Designated Employer Your first and most crucial step is to secure a valid job offer from an employer designated by an Atlantic province. You can search for job opportunities through provincial nominee program portals, job boards, and employer directories. The employer must offer you a permanent, full-time position.

Step 2: Get a Settlement Plan and Endorsement Once you have a job offer, you and your employer will work with a settlement service provider to create a personalized settlement plan. Your employer then applies to the province for an endorsement of your candidacy. Provincial endorsement confirms that you meet the AIP criteria and that your job offer is genuine.

Step 3: Apply for Permanent Residence After receiving the provincial endorsement certificate, you can submit your complete application for permanent residence to IRCC. This application includes all your forms, documents, language tests, and the endorsement. IRCC will then process your application and make a final decision.

• Employer's Role: The employer must be designated, submit the endorsement application, and support your settlement.
• Endorsement is Key: You cannot apply to IRCC without a provincial endorsement certificate.
• Processing Times: IRCC aims to process most complete AIP applications within 6 months.
• Dependents: Your spouse/common-law partner and dependent children can be included in your application.

Navigating these steps can be complex. While some use basic checklists, Evola AI acts as a 24/7 immigration mentor, providing a dynamic, step-by-step application tracker tailored to the AIP. It cross-references your profile against the latest IRCC program guides to flag potential issues before you submit.

How Does the AIP Compare to Other Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)?

The Atlantic Immigration Program is unique compared to other Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) in several key ways. The concise answer is that the AIP is more employer-driven, has no point-based ranking system, and requires a mandatory settlement plan, while other PNPs often have Express Entry-aligned streams and broader candidate pools.

Unlike many PNPs that operate expression of interest systems (like Ontario's or British Columbia's), the AIP requires a job offer upfront. There is no Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score or draw to wait for. The mandatory settlement planning component is also a distinctive feature aimed at improving retention rates in the Atlantic region. Furthermore, the AIP is a dedicated program for four specific provinces with a shared economic development goal.

Other PNPs, especially those aligned with Express Entry, allow provinces to select candidates from the federal pool who may not have a job offer but have high human capital (e.g., education, language skills, experience). According to official provincial immigration websites, like the one for Nova Scotia's Nominee Program, many provinces offer multiple streams, some with and some without job offer requirements, providing more flexibility than the AIP's structure.

• Job Offer Focus: AIP is strictly employer-driven; many PNP streams are not.
• No Points System: You either meet the AIP criteria or you don't, unlike points-based PNPs.
• Settlement Plan: AIP uniquely mandates a settlement plan co-created with your employer.
• Express Entry Alignment: Most PNPs have at least one stream linked to Express Entry; the AIP is a separate, standalone pathway.

Trying to decide if the AIP or an Express Entry PNP is your best bet? Before spending hours researching, use Evola AI's free Immigration Success Predictor. It analyzes your profile against all major pathways, including the AIP and Express Entry-linked PNPs, to give you a data-driven recommendation on your highest-probability route to Canada.

Conclusion

The Atlantic Immigration Program offers a structured and supportive route to permanent residency in the welcoming communities of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Its employer-driven model ensures you have a job waiting, while the settlement plan provides a solid foundation for your new life. By understanding the three streams, meticulously meeting the eligibility requirements, and following the step-by-step process, you can successfully navigate this popular program.

Remember, the key to a smooth application is preparation and accurate information. Whether you're converting language scores, evaluating your CRS potential for other programs, or need detailed guidance on the AIP checklist, having the right tools and support makes all the difference.

Ready to start your Atlantic Canadian journey? Let Evola AI be your guide. From finding the right path to preparing a flawless application, our AI-powered platform is designed to simplify Canadian immigration. Begin your assessment with Evola AI today.