The Atlantic Immigration Program is built around one job: an offer from a designated employer, endorsed by the province. When that job changes — a promotion, a new owner, a move to another company, or a layoff — the whole application has to be brought back in line. Since July 2026, IRCC has also put a clock on it.
Quick Answer
If anything about your AIP job changes while your PR application is in processing — a new designated employer, new duties, wage or NOC at the same employer, or a change in the employer’s ownership — you must tell IRCC through its web form and send an updated provincial endorsement certificate and an updated Offer of Employment (IMM 0157). Under IRCC’s July 23, 2026 instructions, your application is put on hold and you get a procedural fairness letter; if the documents do not arrive within 90 days, the application is refused. Your AIP work permit is employer-specific and valid for 2 years, so a new employer also means a new permit. If you lose the job, contact the endorsing province immediately.
This guide explains general rules. It is not legal advice. Each Atlantic province runs its own endorsement process. Contact the province before you change jobs.
What IRCC Now Requires (July 2026)
| Change | What you must send | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| You move to another designated AIP employer | Updated endorsement certificate + updated IMM 0157 | 90 days after IRCC’s procedural fairness letter |
| Same employer, new wage, occupation, conditions or NOC | Updated endorsement certificate + updated IMM 0157 (for a job-title-only change, the officer decides case by case) | 90 days |
| Your employer changes ownership | The province reassesses. If the employer keeps its designation: updated endorsement + IMM 0157. If not, but the province still supports you: a provincial support letter | 90 days |
Official rule: IRCC instructs officers to put the application on hold and issue a procedural fairness letter setting out the documents and a 90-day deadline; if the documents are not received, the officer must refuse the PR application.
If You Lose Your AIP Job
IRCC’s July 2026 instructions focus on job changes, not job loss. In practice, your endorsement is tied to the job offer, so without it the application cannot succeed unless the province endorses a new offer:
- Tell the endorsing province and IRCC right away.
- Look for another designated employer in the same province. Each province publishes a list.
- Get a new endorsement and IMM 0157, then send them to IRCC.
- Protect your work permit: your AIP permit only allows work for the named employer, so a new job needs a new permit — see laid off on a closed permit.
Your AIP Work Permit
- It is valid for 2 years and only for the employer that made the offer.
- If you extend it from inside Canada, IRCC says you do not need to resubmit your referral letter, education, language or work experience documents.
- Your spouse or common-law partner can apply separately for an open work permit.
- Apply to extend before expiry to keep working on maintained status (maintained status).
Province-Level Changes in 2026
- New Brunswick paused new employer designations for the rest of 2026 and now selects endorsement applications monthly from a pool.
- Nova Scotia set a 12-month validity for Expressions of Interest from May 1, 2026.
More in the AIP guide.
FAQ
Can I change employers during AIP processing?
Yes, but only to another designated employer, and you need an updated endorsement and IMM 0157 within IRCC’s deadline.
My job title changed but nothing else. Do I need a new endorsement?
IRCC’s officers decide case by case for title-only changes. Report it and ask the province.
Is the 90 days from the date of the change?
The 90 days run from IRCC’s procedural fairness letter. Start gathering documents as soon as the change happens.
