History: from pilot (2017) to permanent program (2022)

The AIP began as the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) in 2017 with an initial intake of 2,000 applicants. Due to its success in addressing regional labor shortages, it became a permanent program in January 2022. Since its launch, over 38,000 newcomers have been welcomed to Atlantic Canada through this program, with 12,500 arriving between 2024 and 2025 alone. The retention rate for AIP newcomers after 3 years has reached 72% in 2026, up from 58% in 2020.

How it differs from Express Entry (employer-driven vs points-based)

Express Entry is a points-based system where applicants compete for invitations based on CRS scores, with no guaranteed pathway without meeting the cutoff. In contrast, AIP requires a job offer from a designated employer before you can apply. Once you have that job offer and the employer’s endorsement, you are almost guaranteed PR approval if you meet the eligibility criteria. In 2025, the AIP approval rate for complete applications was 93%, compared to Express Entry’s 72% (including those who never receive an invitation). For Express Entry CRS calculation, use our CRS Calculator.

The four Atlantic provinces: NL/NS/NB/PEI

The four provinces encompass 2.4 million people (approximately 6.5% of Canada’s total population) across 500,000 square kilometers. Each has distinct economic drivers:

• Nova Scotia (NS): Population 1.08 million. Largest Atlantic economy, with strong healthcare, education, and IT sectors.
• New Brunswick (NB): Population 850,000. Bilingual province with thriving call center, tech, and manufacturing industries.
• Newfoundland and Labrador (NL): Population 540,000. Oil and gas, mining, and fisheries dominate the economy.
• Prince Edward Island (PEI): Population 180,000. Agriculture, tourism, and growing biotech sector.

Why Atlantic Canada needs immigrants (population data)

Atlantic Canada faces a demographic crisis. The region has Canada’s oldest population, with 23% of residents aged 65 or older (compared to 19% nationally). Without immigration, the working-age population in Atlantic Canada would decline by 15% by 2030. Between 2021 and 2025, the region added 95,000 jobs but only 40,000 new domestic workers entered the labor force. The AIP was created specifically to fill this gap, targeting 6,500 newcomers annually through the program. For newcomer resources, see 2026 Canada Newcomer’s Master Guide.

Work experience: 1 year in NOC TEER 0/1/2/3 (or TEER 4 for graduates)

For international applicants (those applying with foreign work experience), you must have accumulated 1,560 hours of paid work experience in the 5 years immediately before your application. This can be full-time (30+ hours/week) for 12 months or part-time equivalent. The experience must be in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation. For Atlantic graduates, if you have completed a program of 2 years or more at a recognized Atlantic institution, you are exempt from the work experience requirement. In 2025, 38% of AIP applicants qualified through the graduate stream, while 62% used foreign work experience. Learn about how part-time work counts toward experience requirements.

Education requirements (foreign credentials recognition)

Education requirements depend on your TEER level. For TEER 0 or 1 jobs, you need a Canadian post-secondary credential of at least 1 year or equivalent foreign credential with an ECA. For TEER 2, 3, or 4 jobs, you need a Canadian secondary school diploma or equivalent. For Atlantic graduates, your degree or diploma must have been earned at a publicly funded institution in one of the four Atlantic provinces, with at least 50% of your program completed in Canada. In 2026, the most common ECAs for AIP applicants are from India (34%), China (12%), and the Philippines (9%).

Language requirements: CLB 4-6 depending on occupation

Language proficiency is measured by CLB or NCLC. TEER 0 or 1 requires CLB 6 (IELTS 6.0), TEER 2 or 3 requires CLB 5 (IELTS 5.0), and TEER 4 requires CLB 4 (IELTS 4.5). Test results must be less than 2 years old. In 2025, 65% of AIP applicants used IELTS General, 20% used CELPIP, and 15% used TEF for French.

Atlantic Canada graduates: special stream requirements

If you graduated from an Atlantic Canadian institution, you qualify with no work experience requirement (if you have a valid job offer). You must have completed at least 2 years of study at a publicly funded institution, been a full-time student, graduated within 2 years before applying, and lived in an Atlantic province for at least 16 months during your studies. This graduate stream accounts for 38% of all AIP applications in 2026 and has the highest approval rate at 96%.

What is a designated employer (how to verify)

A designated employer is a business approved by the provincial government to hire foreign workers through AIP. As of March 2026, there are 2,350 designated employers across Atlantic Canada: 850 in Nova Scotia, 620 in New Brunswick, 480 in Newfoundland and Labrador, and 400 in Prince Edward Island. You can verify an employer’s designation on the provincial government’s official AIP employer list. In 2025, 18% of AIP applications were rejected because the employer had lost their designation.

How to find AIP jobs

The most effective ways include provincial AIP employer directories, Job Bank (filter by “Atlantic Immigration Program”), provincial job fairs every 3-4 months, and recruitment agencies. The average time from starting a job search to securing an AIP job offer is 3 to 6 months for skilled professionals.

What employers must provide

Employers must provide a valid job offer letter (full-time, non-seasonal, at least 1 year) and a settlement plan outlining housing assistance, language training, and job search support for spouses. The settlement plan costs the employer approximately $1,500-$3,000 per employee.

Industries with most AIP employers

Top industries: Healthcare (28% of designated employers), Technology (18%), Trades and construction (15%), Food services (12%), Manufacturing (10%), Retail (8%). If you work in one of these sectors, your chances of finding a designated employer are significantly higher.

AIP vs Express Entry: which is faster for you

Express Entry is faster if you have CRS above 500; AIP is faster if your CRS is below 470. In 2025, 62% of AIP applicants had CRS scores that would not have been competitive in Express Entry draws (below 480). For CRS calculation, use our CRS Calculator.

AIP vs Ontario/BC PNP: pros and cons

AIP processing is faster (6-8 months vs 12-18 months for ON/BC PNP). AIP endorsement approval rate is 82%, while ON and BC PNP have 40-60% success rates. Atlantic region has 6,500 spots for 2.4 million people (per-capita availability 3x higher than ON).

Who should seriously consider AIP

AIP is optimal for mid-CRS candidates (350-470), healthcare and trades professionals, Atlantic Canadian graduates, families prioritizing affordability, and applicants with LMIA challenges. AIP employers do not need LMIA, saving 3-4 months and significant costs. For more options, see PNP No-Job-Offer Programs 2026.

No legal requirement, but you must genuinely intend to reside there at application. Most newcomers stay at least 2-3 years (72% retention rate). Misrepresentation could lead to a 5-year ban. For newcomer resources, see Newcomer’s Master Guide.

Yes. Your spouse can apply for an open work permit, and dependent children can apply for study permits. In 2025, 65% of AIP applicants included family members.

If before PR approval, you must find another designated employer. If after PR, you retain your status. Approximately 3-5% of AIP applications are disrupted by employer issues annually.

Yes. New Brunswick is Canada’s only officially bilingual province. French speakers qualify for the Francophone Immigration Program. In 2025, 28% of AIP applicants to New Brunswick were French speakers.

Yes. 45% of AIP applicants in 2025 were already in Canada on other permits, primarily PGWP holders. You can apply for an AIP work permit to maintain status while PR processes.