Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): Eligibility and How to Apply

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a permanent residence pathway for people who have a job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada and can get a settlement plan and provincial endorsement.
This is not a points system like Express Entry. It is mainly employer-driven, and your application depends on the job offer and endorsement being valid.
This guide explains the steps, requirements, documents, fees, and common mistakes.

What is the Atlantic Immigration Program?

AIP helps employers in the 4 Atlantic provinces hire and keep workers:

New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland and Labrador

You apply for PR after an Atlantic province endorses the job offer and issues you an endorsement certificate.

How AIP works (simple step-by-step)

IRCC describes the process like this:

Get a job offer from a designated AIP employer
Get connected to a settlement organization and receive a settlement plan
Your employer applies for endorsement
You receive a provincial endorsement certificate
You submit your PR application to IRCC (and you may get a work permit support letter if a work permit is needed)

Who can apply for AIP?

IRCC says you must meet all of these:

Work experience (unless you qualify as an eligible Atlantic international graduate)
Education (based on your job offer TEER)
Language (based on your job offer TEER)
Proof of funds (unless you’re already working in Canada with a valid work permit)

Work experience requirement (most applicants)

You need at least 1,560 hours of paid work in the last 5 years (equivalent to 30 hours/week for 12 months). IRCC also explains what counts and what does not (for example, self-employment doesn’t count).

Work experience exemption (Atlantic international graduates)

You may be exempt from the work experience requirement if you are an international graduate of a recognized Atlantic post-secondary institution and meet IRCC conditions (including when you graduated and how long you lived in the Atlantic province).

AIP job offer rules (what IRCC expects)

Your job offer must be:

From a designated employer in one of the 4 Atlantic provinces
Full-time (at least 30 paid hours/week)
Non-seasonal
For TEER 0–3: generally at least 1 year (starting when you become a PR)
For TEER 4: generally permanent (no end date)

Also, your job offer cannot be from a company where you or your spouse is a majority owner.

Language requirement (AIP minimum)

IRCC sets the minimum language level by TEER of your job offer:

CLB/NCLC 5 for TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
CLB/NCLC 4 for TEER 4
Your test results must be less than 2 years old when you apply

Education requirement (AIP minimum)

IRCC ties education to TEER:

If your job offer is TEER 0 or 1: you need a 1-year post-secondary credential (or higher) (Canadian or foreign + ECA)
If your job offer is TEER 2, 3, or 4: you need at least high school (Canadian or foreign + ECA)

Proof of funds (who needs it)

IRCC says you must show you have enough money to support yourself and your family unless you are already living and working in Canada with a valid work permit.
The required amounts can change annually, so always check the latest table before you apply.

Settlement plan (required step)

After you get the job offer, you must get a settlement plan from a settlement service provider. IRCC explains that the plan is free and is required for the program.

Endorsement certificate (why timing matters)

You must have a valid endorsement certificate when you apply, and it can be revoked while IRCC is processing.
IRCC also states that endorsement certificates are valid for 12 months and extensions are not permitted.

Fees (AAIP-style note: use official IRCC fees)

AIP PR fees are paid to IRCC. Use the official IRCC fee list for the current amounts, especially if you are applying with a spouse or children.

Processing time (how to check safely)

Processing times change. Use IRCC’s official processing-time tool and do not rely on fixed numbers from social media.
If your page targets “atlantic immigration program processing time,” add a short section that points users to the IRCC tool (and explain that it is an estimate, not a promise).

Internal guidance for Canadianow readers

If you do not have a job offer from a designated employer, AIP is not the right starting point. Begin by checking designated employer lists by province.
If your endorsement is close to expiry, do not delay. The endorsement is time-limited and extensions are not allowed.
If you are unsure about your TEER level, confirm your NOC first because language and education requirements depend on TEER.

FAQ

Is AIP the same as the old Atlantic Immigration Pilot?
AIP is the current program name used by IRCC for Atlantic immigration with employer designation and provincial endorsement.

Do I need a settlement plan?
Yes. IRCC states you need a settlement plan after you get the job offer.

How long is the endorsement certificate valid?
IRCC states endorsement certificates are valid for 12 months and cannot be extended.

Do I need proof of funds for AIP?
Usually yes, unless you’re already living and working in Canada with a valid work permit.

What language score do I need?
CLB 5 for TEER 0–3 and CLB 4 for TEER 4 (test results must be under 2 years old).

Reality check (important)

AIP is not a “guaranteed PR” pathway. Your case depends on job offer validity, endorsement, and IRCC admissibility checks.
Endorsement timing matters. If your endorsement expires or is revoked, your PR application can fail.
Proof of funds and required amounts can change yearly—always confirm the latest table before applying.

IRCC AIP main guide:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/atlantic-immigration/how-to-immigrate.html

IRCC AIP eligibility (who can apply):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/atlantic-immigration/how-to-immigrate/eligibility.html

IRCC AIP language testing:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/atlantic-immigration/language-testing.html

IRCC AIP proof of funds:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/atlantic-immigration/proof-funds.html

IRCC settlement service providers:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/atlantic-immigration/settlement-service-provider-organizations.html

IRCC Guide 0154 (endorsement validity, online application note):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-0154-atlantic-immigration-program.html

IRCC employer designation info (for employers):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/atlantic-immigration/hire-immigrant/get-designated.html