The program was launched by the federal government of Canada in 2017, in partnership with the authorities of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island. The government expects to welcome 10,000 new immigrants and their families to the Atlantic region of eastern Canada in 2022.
Most of this region is collectively called the Seaside Provinces. The uniqueness of this program is that it is one of the most simplified programs, without overestimated requirements for all indicators: language, education, work experience. Let’s see what the Pilot Atlantic Immigration Program is about in 2021.
The program was designed to address population and labor shortages in the four Atlantic provinces of Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island).
Local employers will be able to employ talented professionals from all over the world in their companies. In addition, the program will contribute to population growth, the development of a skilled workforce, and an increase in employment in the region.
The Pilot Atlantic Program is part of the region’s overall Atlantic Growth Strategy, which focuses on five priority areas:
- Skilled workforce and immigration;
- innovation;
- nature conservation and climate change;
- trade and investment;
- infrastructure.
How does the Atlantic pilot program work?
The program simplifies the process of economic immigration to Atlantic Canada. All participants must have a job offer from an approved Canadian employer and an individual relocation plan for themselves and their families.
As soon as the approved employer finds a suitable candidate, he creates a job offer for him. As part of the Atlantic Pilot Program, employers do not need to obtain a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which greatly simplifies the immigration process.
Next, the employer connects the candidate with an approved organization that will help the candidate and his family settle in Canada upon arrival. At this stage, the participant draws up an individual resettlement plan. The employer also provides support to the immigrant and his family upon arrival and, if necessary, helps to fulfill the resettlement plan.
If the employer needs to fill a job urgently, then he can form a temporary work permit so that the candidate and his family can come to Canada as soon as possible. To obtain such a work permit, a candidate will need:
- A valid job offer;
- a letter from the province;
Requirements for candidates for the Atlantic Pilot Program to Canada in 2021
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program has two programs for skilled workers:
- Atlantic High-Skilled Program (AHSP)
- Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program (AISP)
and one for university graduates:
- Atlantic International Graduate Program (AIGP)
Work experience, education, and job offer requirements will differ depending on whether a candidate is applying for a program or a student. The rest of the requirements are the same for both categories of applicants.
| Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program (AISP) | Atlantic High-Skilled Program (AHSP) | Atlantic International Graduate Program (AIGP) | |
| Job offer from an approved employer |
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| Work experience in the specialty | One year of work in a profession related to a job offer | Not required | Not required |
| Education | High school diploma minimum
Foreign (non-Canadian) documents require confirmation through the Educational Credential Assessment |
High school diploma minimum
Foreign (non-Canadian) documents require confirmation through the Educational Credential Assessment |
Diploma of completion of a two-year study program at a public university in Atlantic Canada, obtained no more than 12 months before applying for a residence permit |
| Language | Level 4 Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) for English and Niveau de compรฉtence linguistique Canadien for French | Level 4 Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) for English and Niveau de compรฉtence linguistique Canadien for French | Level 4 Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) for English and Niveau de compรฉtence linguistique Canadien for French |
| Provincial confirmation | Confirmation letter | Confirmation letter | Confirmation letter |