Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a permanent residence pathway for skilled workers and international graduates who want to live and work in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador.

In most cases, the process looks like this:

• Get a job offer from a designated employer

• Receive a settlement plan (free, through approved providers)

• The employer applies for provincial endorsement

• Then you apply to IRCC for permanent residence

Important notes:

• A designated employer list does not mean the employer is hiring.

• Provinces can pause or limit parts of the process. For example, New Brunswick announced a temporary pause on new employer designation applications effective Feb 3, 2026.

• Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee endorsement or PR approval.

Internal guidance:

• For Atlantic PNP (NSNP, NBPNP, PEI PNP, NLPNP) posts, use the Atlantic Provinces (AIP & PNPs) parent category, not this AIP-only category.

IRCC overview + steps:

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

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

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/atlantic-immigration/how-to-immigrate/job-offer.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/atlantic-immigration/hire-immigrant/get-designated.html

Provincial designated employer pages/lists

New Brunswick (AIP + notices):
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/corporate/promo/immigration/immigrating-to-nb/atlantic-immigration-program.html
New Brunswick designated employers (PDF):
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Corporate/Promo/Immigration/designated-employers-employeurs-designes.pdf

Nova Scotia designated employers (PDF):
https://liveinnovascotia.com/sites/default/files/2024-07/Designated_AIP_employers.pdf

Prince Edward Island designated employers:
https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/office-of-immigration/atlantic-immigration-program-designated-employers

Newfoundland and Labrador designated employers:
https://www.gov.nl.ca/immigration/immigrating-to-newfoundland-and-labrador/atlantic-immigration-program/designated-employers/