Our ServicesOne amongst the many Canadian immigration streams is the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP). It aims to populate the Atlantic provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The ageing workforce in Nova Scotia and the three Maritime Provinces has caused an economic downfall. The provinces need young, skilled workers. This is the reason the immigration pathway was instigated by the Canadian government.
Here is a step-by-step explanation of how you can become a Canadian Permanent Resident via the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program.
For Immigrants
There are three routes under the AIPP for interested candidates. They are:
- The Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program (AISP)
- The Atlantic High-Skilled Program (AHSP)
- The Atlantic International Graduate Program (AIGP)
Job Offer
Any individual, living in Canada or abroad, can apply for Canadian immigration through one of the three programs if they have a job offer from an employer in one of the Atlantic Provinces. A qualifying job offer is one that is in the O, A or B categories of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) list. The job offer must not be temporary or seasonal. The potential employer is required to provide an ‘Offer of Employment to a Foreign National’ to the candidate, which will be used while filing for Permanent Residence.
Work Experience/ Education
For the Intermediate Skilled Category, the tenure of employment is indeterminate, while in the High-Skilled and International Graduate program, the tenure must be at least one year. For both the Intermediate and High-Skilled categories, the individual must have a years’ worth work experience in the past, related to the field in which the current offer is made. International graduates must have completed a two-year educational program in the Atlantic province to which they are applying, within 12 months before they apply to immigrate.
Assessments Required
Individuals must have completed High School, to apply, and need to provide an Educational Credential Evaluation. They would also need to have a Level 4 or above in the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) to show English language proficiency or a competitive score in the Niveau de compétence Linguistique Canadien for French.
Applicants must also show a proof of funds to demonstrate financial adequacy for their settlement.
For Employers
Employers recruit individuals into their workforce based on a needs assessment, which entails questions about the individual’s skills and family. Employers do not need to produce a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for the job.
Employers, then, work with a settlement service provider to issue a ‘settlement plan’ for the qualifying candidate. The plan focuses on the long-term integration of the employee and their family in their chosen province.
An organization that offers jobs to such candidates needs to have an AIPP employer designation, which is to say, be in the list of designated employers in Atlantic Canada. They do not need to fund the candidates they are hiring, although they may if they choose to. They can post eligible vacancies in the ESDC’s Job Bank (Department of Employment and Social Development Canada).
Once an individual has a qualifying job offer, they will receive an endorsement letter from the province. Since Permanent Residence processing spans six months in average, candidates may apply for a ‘Temporary Work Permit’ for themselves and their spouses in the meantime. The application fee for AIPP is $1040. For assistance with your application, contact Ronen Kurzfeld, today.
