Canada is an amazing country to become a permanent resident in. If you’re an international graduate or skilled foreign worker who is looking for a pathway to permanent residency in an Atlantic province, then you should consider applying through the Atlantic Immigration Program. Never heard of it? No worries–keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this outstanding program.
What is the Atlantic Immigration Program?
The Atlantic Immigration Program is a partnership between the Government of Canada and the following four Atlantic provinces:
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
- Newfoundland and Labrador
This program is a pathway to permanent residence, both for international graduates from an institution in Atlantic Canada, and for skilled foreign workers who want to live and work in one of the Canadian Atlantic provinces mentioned above.
Designated employers looking to hire qualified candidates for jobs they haven’t been able to fill locally will use the Atlantic Immigration Program as a path for hiring.
Please note that the Atlantic Immigration Program has replaced the Atlantic Immigration Pilot.
Not too sure where you want to study in Canada? Check out our blog to help you choose your perfect Canadian province!
Who Can Apply
To immigrate to one of the four Atlantic Canadian provinces through this program, you can be living abroad or already be in Canada as a temporary resident. Graduates and foreign workers must meet certain requirements set by the Canadian Government to be eligible.
To qualify, you must:
- Meet or exceed the educational requirements.
- Meet or exceed the language requirements.
- Have qualifying work experience, unless you’re an international graduate of a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada.
- Show that you have enough funds to support yourself and your family when you arrive in Canada.
- If you’re already living and working in Canada with a valid work permit, you don’t need to show proof.
If you’ve checked off each of these requirements–congratulations! You can now start looking for a job with a designated Atlantic employer.
Want to learn more about Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program? Click here to understand what it’s all about!
Working for Designated Employers
If you’re planning to immigrate to Canada through the Atlantic Immigration Program, you’ll need to seek job opportunities with designated employers. These are employers that have been assessed and approved to hire candidates through the Program by the government of the province where you’ll be working.
Upon offering you a job, the designated employer will give you an Offer of Employment to a Foreign National form. You must ensure that you:
- Meet the employment requirements listed under the National Occupational Classification.
- Sign the Offer of Employment to a Foreign National form and keep a copy for your records.
- Keep this form handy for your permanent residence application, and when you work with a service provider organization on your settlement plan.
Note: If you receive a job offer from an employer, ask for a copy of the employer’s Confirmation of Designation—or let them know about the Atlantic Immigration Program and ask them to consider becoming designated, if they aren’t already.
Applying for Permanent Residency Through the Atlantic Immigration Program
Once an employer’s open job posting has been endorsed by the province, and they’ve identified the foreign worker who will be starting in that role, the worker can then apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for permanent residency. While waiting for permanent residency, you may also receive a temporary work permit.
For more information on permanent residency, please visit the relevant provincial website for where you want to live:
For the most up to date information, visit the official Government of Canada website, as well as the website for the province you plan to apply to. Good luck!
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