Last verified: June 29, 2026 · Official source: canada.ca/atlantic-immigration
General information, not legal or immigration advice. For advice on your situation, consult a licensed RCIC or immigration lawyer.
What is the Atlantic Immigration Program?
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a federal program that creates a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates who want to work and live in one of Canada's four Atlantic provinces:
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island (PEI)
- Newfoundland and Labrador
Importantly, the AIP is not a traditional PNP. Unlike provincial nominee programs where the province nominates you for PR through IRCC, the AIP is a federally administered program with provincial employer designation. You apply directly to IRCC for PR once you have an endorsed job offer — there is no separate provincial nomination process.
2026 target: approximately 4,000 new permanent residents through AIP.
→ All provincial nominees → Express Entry overview
How the AIP works
The AIP is employer-driven. The process begins with the employer, not with you:
- Employer becomes designated by the provincial government of the Atlantic province where the position is located (free process, each province administers independently)
- Employer offers you a job — must be full-time, non-seasonal, and in an eligible occupation (TEER 0–4)
- Province endorses the position — the employer submits an endorsement application; the province confirms the role meets AIP requirements
- You apply to IRCC for a work permit and PR — with the endorsed job offer and an endorsement certificate
The key: you need a qualifying job offer from an AIP-designated employer before you can apply. The program is not a pool or points-based selection — it starts with an employer finding you.
Eligible occupations
Job offers must be:
- Full-time (non-seasonal)
- In a NOCNOC: National Occupational Classification — the federal job classification system. AIP covers TEER 0 to TEER 4. TEER 0–4 occupation
- In one of the four Atlantic provinces
Workers in healthcare, skilled trades, construction, and French-speaking roles are particularly well-positioned given Atlantic labour shortages — but the program is not limited to these sectors.
Who can apply?
There are three pathways:
1. Skilled Workers Foreign workers with at least 1 year of work experience in an eligible occupation (NOC TEER 0–3) within the last 3 years. Language requirements apply (CLBCLB: Canadian Language Benchmark — IRCC's language scale. Minimum CLB levels vary by occupation tier; confirm on canada.ca. minimums vary by NOC tier — confirm at canada.ca).
2. Intermediate-Skilled Workers Workers with experience in NOC TEER 4 occupations (e.g., some trades support, food services, care aide roles) who have a valid endorsed job offer. Different from Skilled Workers in experience and language thresholds.
3. International Graduates Graduates from a PGWP-eligible or designated Atlantic public institution who graduated after January 1, 2022 (confirm current cutoff on canada.ca). Must have a full-time job offer in an eligible occupation.
2026 provincial updates
New Brunswick
Effective February 3, 2026, New Brunswick introduced a candidate pool system for AIP endorsement applications. Instead of first-come, first-served, NB now selects from the pool monthly based on provincial priorities.
⚠️ As of February 3, 2026, NB is temporarily pausing acceptance of new employer designation applications. Confirm current status at New Brunswick's immigration office before your employer applies.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia in 2026 prioritizes applicants already living and working in the province with work permits expiring in 2025. Extra priority goes to workers in:
- Healthcare / social assistance (NAICS sector 62)
- Construction (NAICS sector 23)
If you're already in Nova Scotia, your chances under AIP are stronger than applying from overseas. Check liveinns.ca for current Nova Scotia AIP priorities.
PEI and Newfoundland & Labrador
Both provinces continue to use the AIP. Employer designation and endorsement processes apply in each. Check official provincial immigration sites for current priorities.
Each Atlantic province also runs its own PNP
The AIP is a shared federal pathway — but in addition to it, each of the four Atlantic provinces operates its own Provincial Nominee Program, with Express Entry–linked (Enhanced) and Base streams that are separate from the AIP. If an AIP employer job offer isn't your route, one of these provincial streams might be:
- New Brunswick — New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), including an Express Entry stream and skilled-worker/strategic-initiative streams.
- Nova Scotia — Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), including Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry and Labour Market Priorities draws.
- Prince Edward Island — PEI PNP, which runs a regular Expression of Interest draw system.
- Newfoundland and Labrador — NL PNP and the Newfoundland and Labrador Priority Skills stream.
Eligibility, streams, and draw schedules for these provincial programs change often — confirm current criteria on each province's official immigration site before applying.
Settlement plan
A unique AIP requirement: applicants must have a settlement plan in place before applying. This means connecting with a designated settlement service provider in the Atlantic province and creating a plan for your integration. Your employer typically helps facilitate this.
Is the AIP linked to Express Entry?
No. The AIP is a direct-to-IRCC pathway — not a PNP nomination that adds CRS points. There is no Express Entry pool integration; AIP has its own separate application process. This can be advantageous if your Express Entry score is low but you have a qualifying Atlantic job offer.
How to apply (summary)
- Secure a job offer from a designated AIP employer in an Atlantic province.
- Employer applies for endorsement from the province.
- Once endorsed, you apply to IRCC for permanent residence and a work permit (if not already in Canada or on a work permit).
- Complete a settlement plan with a designated service provider.
- IRCC processes your application — biometrics may be required.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Atlantic Immigration Program a PNP?
No. The AIP is a federal, employer-driven program — not a provincial nomination. You apply to IRCC directly once an Atlantic province endorses your job offer; there is no CRS boost or Express Entry pool step.
Is the AIP linked to Express Entry?
No. The AIP is a separate, direct-to-IRCC pathway with no Express Entry integration — which can be an advantage if your CRS score is low but you have a qualifying Atlantic job offer.
Do I need a job offer for the AIP?
Yes. You need a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an AIP-designated employer in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, or Newfoundland & Labrador, in an eligible NOC TEER 0–4 occupation.
Do the Atlantic provinces also have their own PNPs?
Yes. Alongside the AIP, each Atlantic province runs its own Provincial Nominee Program (for example, Nova Scotia's NSNP) with Express Entry-linked and Base streams — a possible route if an AIP employer job offer isn't available.