How it Works
The Atlantic Immigration Program is an employer-driven program that facilitates the hiring of foreign nationals. All principal applicants arriving in Canada under the program must have a job offer from a designated employer and an individualized settlement plan for themselves and their family.
Employers do not need LMIA
Once a designated employer finds a candidate who meets their employment needs and the program criteria, that employer will need to first offer them a job. Employers do not need to go through the process of obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Once the candidate has accepted the job, the employer will connect the candidate with a designated settlement service provider organization for a needs assessment and to develop a settlement plan. Employers will also support the long-term integration of the new immigrant and his or her family, if applicable, so they can reach the goals of their settlement plan once they arrive in Canada.
Employers that need to fill a job vacancy quickly will have access to a temporary work permit, so that the candidate and his or her family can come to Canada as soon as possible. In order to obtain this work permit, candidates will need:
- A valid job offer;
- A letter from the province
- Acommitment to apply for permanent
Residence within 90 days of the temporary work permit application.
Employer Designation
Employers that would like to hire skilled immigrants under the program must apply to the province(s) in order to receive designation. Employers with locations in multiple provinces will require a separate designation for each province. Employers must meet certain requirements, including a commitment to support the newcomer and his or her family as they integrate into their new life in Atlantic Canada.
Candidate Requirements
To be eligible for the AIP you must:
- have qualifying work experience unless you are an international student that graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada.
- meet the educational criteria
- meet the language criteria
- show you have enough settlement funds. You do not need to show proof of settlement funds if you are already living and working in Canada with a valid work permit.
You can start to look for a job with a designated Atlantic Canada employer if you meet all the above criteria.
International Graduates
International students who graduated in Canada do not need to meet the work experience requirements if they:
- Have a degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship certification that took at least 2 years of studies, and is from a recognized post-secondary institution in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador
- Were a full-time student during their entire studies
- Had the visa or permit they needed to work, study, or get training while they lived in Canada
- Lived in one of the Atlantic provinces for at least 16 months during the last 2 years before they graduated
Educational Requirements
- If your offer is at the NOC TEER category 0 or 1, you must have a one-year post-secondary educational credential or higher, or the equivalent outside of Canada
- If your job offer is at the NOC TEER category 2, 3, or 4, you must have a Canadian high school diploma, or the equivalent outside of Canada.
If you studied outside of Canada you need to get an ECA Report to confirm your studies are equivalent to the Canadian educational standards needed for your job offer. The ECA report must be less than 5 years old on the date IRCC receives your application.
Language Requirements
- For NOC TEER category 0 or 1 job offers, you need a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level of 5.
- For NOC TEER category 2, 3, or 4 job offers, you need a CLB or NCLC level of 4.
You must submit to IRCC test results obtained from a language assessing institution.The test results must be less than 2 years old when you apply.
Settlement funds
- If you already live in Canada and are working with a valid work permit, you do not need to show proof of funds.
- For all other applicants, you need to show you have enough money to support yourself and your family when you get to Canada. The amount you need depends on the size of your family and the size of your family includes anyone you support who is not immigrating with you
Contact us at Marathon Immigration to discuss your work experience and if you qualify.
