immigration

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is an immigration route designed for skilled workers who are looking to settle in one of the four provinces in Atlantic Canada:  The AIP is driven by employers, meaning that in order to qualify, a foreign national must secure a job offer from a designated employer in one of these Atlantic provinces.  Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration Key Advantages of the AIP  Compared to other Canadian immigration programs, the Atlantic Immigration Program offers several benefits for individuals planning to settle in Atlantic Canada:    Faster processing times  The ability to work legally in Canada while applying for permanent residency (PR)  Work permits that do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)  Personalized settlement assistance  Faster Processing Times  The AIP is highly sought after in Atlantic Canada because it provides eligible candidates with a streamlined process to work in Canada and apply for permanent residency simultaneously. The current processing time for PR applications through AIP is around eight months—faster than many other PR options.  LMIA-Exempt Work Permits  Candidates who want to begin working before their permanent residency is finalized can apply for a temporary work permit. This work permit does not require an LMIA.  To qualify for this work permit, a candidate needs:  A valid job offer from a designated employer  A referral letter from the Atlantic province where they will be employed  The work permit is valid for up to two years and is job-specific, meaning the candidate can only work for the employer that provided the job offer. However, receiving this work permit does not guarantee approval of the PR application.  Personalized Settlement Support  A key feature of the AIP is its emphasis on helping newcomers integrate into their new province. Employers must work with settlement agencies to create a personalized settlement plan for the new hires, offering them tailored guidance and support to better adjust to life in their new communities.  Who Can Apply?  Each Atlantic province processes a limited number of applications annually based on regional labor market needs. Applicants can either be inside or outside Canada but must meet the eligibility requirements.  In addition to having a job offer from a designated employer, candidates must either be:  A skilled worker (with experience either within or outside Canada), or  A recent graduate from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the four Atlantic provinces.  Skilled Worker Eligibility for AIP:  Skilled workers are eligible for the AIP if they have:  At least 1,560 hours of work experience within the last five years, which equates to roughly 30 hours per week for one year.  Work experience that falls under National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021’s TEER categories 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4.  Recent Graduate Eligibility for AIP:  International graduates qualify for the AIP if they:  Have earned a credential from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the Atlantic provinces, after completing at least two years of study  Were full-time students for the duration of their program  Lived in one of the Atlantic provinces for at least 16 months during the last two years before graduation  Held legal status to study, work, or train while in Canada.  Additional Criteria for AIP  In addition to the above, there may be other criteria that candidates must fulfill to be eligible for the program, based on the specific needs of the province or employer.  Educational Requirements  Education requirements vary depending on the NOC TEER of the candidate’s job offer:  NOC TEER Education requirements 0 or 1 One-year Canadian post-secondary educational credential or higher, or the equivalent from outside Canada 2, 3, or 4 Canadian high school diploma, or the equivalent from outside Canada All foreign degrees must undergo an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for recognition in Canada. The ECA report must be no older than five years when IRCC receives the application.  Language Requirements  Candidates are required to prove their language proficiency, which varies depending on the NOC TEER classification of their job offer.  NOC TEER Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 0, 1, 2, or 3 CLB 5 4 CLB 4 The language test results must be less than two years old from the date of application.  Settlement Funds  Applicants need to prove that they have money to support themselves and their family in Canada. The amount of money needed depends on the size of the family.  Number of family members Funds needed (in CAD) 1 $3,672 2 $4,572 3 $5,620 4 $6.824 5 $7,740 6 $8,729 7 $9,718 If more than 7, add this amount for every additional family member $989 What is the difference between the AIP and Provincial Nominee Programs?  The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) enables Canadian provinces to select and nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and plan to settle in a specific province.  With over 80 distinct provincial immigration streams, many PNPs differ from the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) in that they often don’t require candidates to have a job offer or prior Canadian work or study experience to qualify for a nomination.  The PNP typically involves a two-step process for obtaining permanent residency. First, candidates must secure a provincial nomination, then submit an application to the federal government for permanent residency.  Due to the additional steps and generally longer processing times, PNP applications may take longer to obtain PR status compared to AIP applications.    Atlantic Immigration Program Provincial Nominee Program Valid for New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island All provinces except for Nunavut and Quebec Need a job offer Yes, from designated employer Not necessary, depending on the PNP stream Pathway to PR One-step process. Eligible candidates can directly apply for PR Two-step process. Candidates must first be nominated by the province, then invited to apply to the federal government. Processing time until PR 8 months (as of October 2024) Varies according to province and stream. Approximate time for enhanced nominations: 8-12 months Approximate time for base nominations: 12-24 months Settlement funds Needed, but significantly lesser than proof of