Where it applies
The Atlantic Immigration Program is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers and international graduates of Canadian institutions who want to work and live in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador.
Employers are designated first
An employer must first be designated by the provincial government before hiring through the program. IRCC states that there is no cost to become a designated employer. Confirm an employer’s designation with the province rather than relying on an advertisement or a third party’s claim.
Who can be a candidate
You must receive a job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada, and you must be either a recent graduate of a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada or a skilled worker. Candidates can live abroad or already be in Canada as temporary residents. Detailed requirements for work experience, education, language and funds are on IRCC’s program pages.
Starting work before permanent residence
If you need to start work sooner, the temporary work permit route requires a referral letter from the Atlantic province where you will work. Keep the job offer, the province’s documents and IRCC’s instructions in separate folders, with the date you received each one.
Compare it fairly
This program depends on employer designation and a provincial step, so a CRS score is not what decides it. Record the province, employer, designation evidence and the date you checked. Any scenario on this site is arithmetic about Express Entry points, not an assessment of the Atlantic program.
Frequently asked questions
Which provinces take part?
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Does an employer pay to be designated?
No. IRCC states that there is no cost to become a designated employer.
Can international graduates be candidates?
Yes. Recent graduates of a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada can be candidates, with a job offer from a designated employer.