Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
Category: Migration · Processing time: 6-12 months
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Apply through official authority
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Always submit applications through the official source. Last verified 2026-06-19.
Visa type
Migration
Processing time
6-12 months
Fees
ApplicationProcessingFee: CAD 990
Validity
Permanent residency status granted.
Stay duration
Indefinite
Entry type
Multiple entry privileges tied to Permanent Resident status
Insurance
Confirm if required
Bookmark
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Overview
This program helps employers in the Atlantic provinces recruit global talent to address local labor shortages. It offers a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship.
- Leads to permanent residency: Yes
- Requires job offer: Yes
- Language required: Yes
- Minimum education: High school diploma or equivalent (credential assessment required for foreign degrees)
- Financial requirement: Applicants must demonstrate sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and their family members upon arrival, unless they are already living and working in Canada with a valid work per
- Accommodation proof: No
- Return ticket: No
Estimated Costs
- - ApplicationProcessingFee: CAD 990
- - RightOfPermanentResidenceFee: CAD 600
- - BiometricsFeeIndividual: CAD 85
Required Documents
- - Valid international passport or recognized travel document
- - Official Provincial Endorsement Certificate from an Atlantic province
- - Co-signed Offer of Employment to a Foreign National form from a designated employer
- - Valid Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for credentials earned outside Canada
- - Approved language proficiency test results satisfying minimum CLB requirements
- - Proof of settlement funds matching your family size parameters (if applicable)
Application Steps
- Receive a formal, full-time job offer from an officially designated employer in an Atlantic province.
- Obtain a personalized settlement plan designed by an approved settlement service provider organization.
- Secure a provincial endorsement certificate from the province where your employer operates.
- Submit your complete permanent residency application online via the official IRCC portal.
- Pay the mandatory federal application processing fees and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF).
- Complete required biometric enrollment, medical exams, and background safety clearances upon instruction.
Always confirm the latest steps and forms on the official portal: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) →
Travel Insurance Requirement
- Mandatory: Confirm with official source
- Minimum coverage: Confirm current coverage rules
- Valid regions: Confirm accepted regions
- Approved providers: Use providers accepted by the official authority
Embassy, Consulate & Appointments
- - Federal visa processing, biometric capture, and tracking parameters are handled uniformly through IRCC centralized digital intake portals.
- - Always reference official federal ministerial update logs before locking in regional application fees or document drop-off paths.
Browse foreign embassies in Canada (MigrantIQ directory) →
Directory listings are for planning only — not legal advice. Confirm jurisdiction and appointment rules on the official portal.
Application checklist
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Benefits & What This Visa Allows
- - Grants immediate Canadian Permanent Residency status upon successful landing, skipping intermediate point-scoring pools
- - Bypasses standard, highly competitive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirements for participating regional employers
- - Provides a tailored settlement framework that connects your family with community integration partners for smooth long-term transition tracking
Trust & safety
Before you pay or submit documents
Use the official portal for applications and payments. Be careful with agents who guarantee approval, ask for personal-account transfers, or pressure you to send originals before a written contract.
Relevant laws
- Work Authorisation Rules
Employment · Severity: Critical
In Canada, work authorization rules are strict and must be followed closely. Individuals entering Canada may have different permissions based on their visa type. A visa that allows entry does not automatically grant…
- Immigration Status and Overstay Rules
Immigration · Severity: Critical
Your right to stay in Canada depends on the specific immigration status you hold, which includes visas, permits, or entry stamps. Many individuals, including tourists, students, workers, families, and digital nomads,…
- Tax Residency and Income Reporting
Tax · Severity: High
In Canada, tax residency is determined by various factors, including the duration of your stay, your residential ties, and where your income is sourced. If you live in Canada for a significant period, work locally, or…
- Employment Standards Act
Employment · Severity: Critical
In Canada, the Employment Standards Act outlines essential rights for workers, ensuring fair treatment in the workplace. You are entitled to a minimum wage, which varies by province, but it is a legal requirement that…
Active scam alerts
In Canada, newcomers, including visa applicants, families, students, and workers, may fall victim to a scam involving inflated fees for document translation, notarization, or apostille services. Dishonest agents may…
In Canada, a common scam involves fraudsters posing as airport personnel, immigration officers, or travel agents, claiming that newcomers must pay a special fee upon arrival. This fee is falsely presented as necessary…
In Canada, there is a growing concern about scams involving fake university or scholarship letters targeting students, parents, and scholarship applicants. Fraudsters offer enticing packages that promise admission to…
In Canada, a growing concern involves rental scams where fraudsters advertise non-existent apartments. These scammers often target students, families, new arrivals, and remote workers who may be unfamiliar with the…
Quick Eligibility Check
Use this self-check for Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). It does not replace official legal assessment.
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Common Rejection Reasons
- - Submitting an application with an invalid, expired, or non-designated employer job offer profile
- - Failing to provide an official settlement plan or failing to clear the required provincial endorsement phase first
- - Language proficiency test results dropping below the mandatory statutory CLB benchmarks for the respective TEER category
- - Incomplete background records, unverified work history gaps, or unsatisfactory Educational Credential Assessment filings
Application Tips
- - Your employer must be officially designated by their home province under the AIP umbrella before they can sponsor your placement.
- - Ensure your language tests and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) are fully completed and valid on the exact day you file your digital IRCC submission.
- - Pay your Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) upfront alongside your application processing fee to avoid major delays later in the cycle.
- - Avoid consultants who claim they can bypass the designated employer job offer requirement, as this is a core statutory anchor of the stream.
Sources & References
Use these references for verification. Official government and appointment portals override summary guidance on MigrantIQ.
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Official source for forms, appointments, fees, and final requirements.
- MigrantIQ visa record
Last verified 2026-06-19.
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Frequently Asked Questions
This visa is designed for applicants matching Migration pathway criteria.
Typical processing time is 6-12 months, subject to documentation quality and application volume.
Start with eligibility evidence, document checklists, and proof of funds before submitting.