Atlantic Immigration Pilot

• To meet the Atlantic provinces’ labor needs, the Atlantic Immigration Pilot was designed to attract and retain skilled foreign immigrants and international graduates. The goal is to ensure the long-term retention and integration of newcomers in Atlantic Canada to help drive economic growth.
• The Atlantic Immigration Pilot was launched in March 2017 and has recorded tremendous success since its inception.
• More than 3,729 job offers were made to skilled foreign nationals or international graduates by designated employers in the Atlantic region in 2019. Over 2,535 applications have been approved for permanent residents in Atlantic Canada.
• The Atlantic Immigration Pilot was Initially launched as a three-year pilot; however, due to the giant stride record, it was extended by two years to December 2021. 

Mandatory/Minimum Requirements:

• Language proficiency
• Educational requirements
• Proof of funds
• Get a valid job offer from a designated employer
• Get a settlement plan.
• Get your Certificate of Endorsement
• Work experience (except for the Atlantic International Graduate Program)

Supportive Requirements:

The table below compares the requirements under each of the 3 pilot programs i.e, Atlantic International Graduate Program, Atlantic High-Skilled Program, Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program.

Data Source: Canada – Admissions of Permanent Residents by Province/Territory of Intended Destination and Immigration Category, January 2015 – October 2020 PR-ImmCat IRCC Open Data

Data Source: 2020 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration – Canada.ca

• High-skilled workers
• Intermediate-skilled workers
• International graduates

Certain steps must be completed before you apply. These are listed below:

• Receive a job offer: Applicant must receive a valid job offer from a designated employer in the Atlantic region to apply for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot. A designated employer must use the Offer of Employment to a Foreign National form (IMM5650) to issue the job offer.

See the list of designated employers participating in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot by checking the provincial websites:

• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island

The job offer must be listed as Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A, B or C in the National Occupation Classification.

• Meet the language requirement:

English and French are the official languages in Canada. Applicants for the program are required to take a language test to prove their language skills. Get minimum Canadian Language Benchmark CLB 4 in English or NLCL 4 in French in speaking and listening, reading, and writing. Language Test results are valid for 2 years.

 
Acceptable English language test:

• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP). Note: Register for the CELPIP-General test.
• International English Language Testing System ( IELTS). Book your test at British Council IELTS Online Application. Note: Register for the IELTS English General Training Test.

   
Acceptable French Language Test:

• Test d’evaluation de français (TEF)
• Test de connaissance du français (TCF)

   Link to Language requirement.

• Educational Credential Assessments (ECA) for immigration purposes. This is done to verify that your education is valid and equivalent to a Canadian one. An ECA report will be issued after evaluating your transcripts and professional qualifications.

Different designated organizations can help evaluate your credentials.

List of designated organizations for ECA:

• World Education Services
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada.
• Comparative Education Service: University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
• International Credential Services

• Get a settlement plan.

Every applicant must get a settlement plan after they get a job offer from a designated employer. The purpose of the settlement plan is to help applicants and their family members adjust to their new home in the Atlantic Provinces. Learn more about how to get your settlement plan.

• Get your Certificate of Endorsement

The Atlantic province must endorse your job offer after you have your settlement plan. You will get a Certificate of Endorsement if the province endorses your job offer. You must include your endorsement certificate with your permanent residence application.

• Proof of Funds

Applicants must show that they have enough funds to support themselves and their family members in Canada, except they are already working in Canada under a valid work permit. The amount of money required is based on family size. The amounts are updated yearly. Use this link to view any update on proof of funds.

• PAPER – Based application

To submit your permanent residence application under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, fill out your application forms completely on a computer, validate the forms, print out all the forms, including the barcode page, date, and sign the forms. Get the guide for the Atlantic High-Skilled Program or Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program or Atlantic International Graduate Program to guide you through your application’s filling process.

• Pay your application fees. The estimated cost per Adult is $1,325 for a permanent resident application. Make payment for permanent resident application, print the receipt of payment, and attached it to your document. See the break down below:

See the breakdown of the fee.

• Submit your application by mailing it to the address. Check the guide Atlantic High-Skilled Program or Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program or Atlantic International Graduate Program for the mailing address.

• Biometrics:

Applicants may be required to give their biometrics for permanent residence applications. You must give your fingerprints and photos.  Visit this link to learn more about how to give your Biometrics. Estimated Cost – $85 Individual, $170 Family.

• Processing Time:

The processing time for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot application is 6 months.

• Apply for work permit ( optional)

Applicants who applied for permanent residence under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot may be eligible for a one-year work permit. The work permit allows the applicant to work while they wait on the decision on their permanent residence application. If the work permit is approved, it will be valid for 1 year and will only allow you to work for the employer who offered you the job for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot. Learn more about applying for a work permit.

Several changes were made to the Atlantic Immigration Pilot in 2019. Some of the changes made includes allowing spouses of Applicants under the program to apply for work permits. Also, the pilot was extended for another 2 years to December 2021. International graduates have more time to apply, and more flexibility for hiring health-care professionals. To learn more about the changes to the Atlantic Immigration Pilot.