Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) — 2026 Guide

What is the Atlantic Immigration Program?

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a permanent federal immigration program specifically designed to address persistent labour shortages in Canada's four Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island (PEI), and Newfoundland & Labrador. These provinces have historically struggled with population decline, aging demographics, and difficulty attracting and retaining skilled workers.

Unlike points-based systems like Express Entry, the AIP is employer-initiated. The employer must first be approved as a "designated employer" by the provincial government, then they recruit you specifically for a position they cannot fill locally. Once both the employer endorsement and provincial endorsement are in place, you apply to IRCC directly for permanent residence — bypassing the Express Entry CRS scoring system entirely.

This makes AIP an attractive option for candidates who have a strong job offer in Atlantic Canada but may not score high enough in the Express Entry pool for an invitation to apply (ITA) in a general draw. There is no minimum CRS score required for AIP.

The Three AIP Streams — Detailed Comparison

How the Employer Designation Process Works

The AIP is employer-driven — the employer must be "designated" before they can offer you a job that qualifies for AIP. Here's how an employer gets designated:

1. Employer Applies for Designation: The Atlantic employer applies online to the provincial government in the province where the job is located. Each Atlantic province has its own designation portal. The employer must be an established, legitimate business operating in Atlantic Canada with no history of regulatory non-compliance regarding foreign workers.
2. Province Reviews and Designates: The province reviews the employer's business registration, history with Employment Standards, and commitment to hiring foreign nationals. If approved, the employer is added to the official "Designated Employers" list. Designation typically lasts 3 years before it must be renewed.
3. Employer Lists Job Offer: The designated employer then creates a formal job offer for you, specifying the NOC code, wage, hours, and job location. The offer must meet or exceed the provincial median wage for that occupation.
4. Settlement Plan Required: The employer must also provide or connect you with a settlement plan — typically created in collaboration with a provincial settlement organization. This plan outlines language training, community integration resources, and support services available to you and your family upon arrival.

Complete AIP Application Process — Step by Step

1. Employer Obtains Designation: The Atlantic employer must be designated by the provincial government before the process begins.
2. Receive Job Offer: The designated employer provides you a formal full-time, non-seasonal job offer. The wage must meet prevailing wage standards.
3. Employer Applies for Provincial Endorsement: The employer submits an endorsement application to the province on your behalf. The province confirms you meet the stream requirements and that the job is genuine. Upon provincial approval, the province issues an endorsement certificate to you directly.
4. Complete Settlement Plan: Work with a settlement service organization to complete a formal settlement plan. This demonstrates to both the province and IRCC that you have a realistic plan for integrating into Atlantic Canadian society.
5. Apply to IRCC for Permanent Residence: With your endorsement certificate in hand, submit your PR application to IRCC. You apply through the dedicated AIP PR category — this bypasses Express Entry entirely. Include: IMM 0008 (generic application for permanent residence), Schedule A, endorsement certificate, job offer letter, settlement plan, police clearances, medical exam (IMM 1017E), language test results, and ECA (if applicable).
6. Receive PR Decision: IRCC typically processes complete AIP applications within 6 months. Once approved, you receive your permanent resident visa. You must land in Canada and reside in the endorsing Atlantic province. Note that AIP does not legally require you to remain in that province forever, but you made a good-faith commitment to settle there as part of the endorsement process.

Settlement Resources in Each Atlantic Province

Cost of Living Advantage: One of the most compelling reasons to consider Atlantic Canada is the significantly lower cost of living compared to Toronto, Vancouver, or Calgary. Average detached home prices in cities like Moncton (NB) or Charlottetown (PEI) range from $350,000–$500,000 — a fraction of what the same property would cost in major Canadian metro areas. Average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom apartment ranges from $1,400–$1,900 in most Atlantic cities.