Atlantic Immigration pilot Program

There is no points system under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, and the program operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

The AIPP has two sub-programs for skilled workers and one sub-program for international student graduates.

Atlantic High-Skilled Program (AHSP)

For the AHSP, you must have the following work experience:

  • within the last three years, you have accumulated at least one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) work experience in your main occupation at National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level 0 (management jobs), skill level A (professional jobs) or skill level B (technical jobs and skilled trades);
  • you have performed the actions in the lead statement of the NOC;
  • you have performed a substantial number of the main duties of the NOC, including all of the essential duties;
  • your work experience must be from paid work (volunteer work or unpaid internships do not count);
  • you worked overseas or in Canada (as long as you were legally authorized to work in Canada as a temporary resident).

Visa Assessment form

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In addition, you must have a high-school diploma, post-secondary certificate or degree that is valid and equal to a Canadian equivalent and must have a level 4 in the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) for listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

For more information, click here.

Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program (AISP)

For the AISP, in the last three years you must have worked at least 1,560 hours.

Here is how to calculate your hours:

  • Count hours worked in part-time and full-time jobs.
  • The hours must be in one occupation, but they can be with different employers.
  • You must have been paid for these hours. Volunteering or unpaid internships don’t count.
  • Don’t count hours where you were self-employed.
  • These working hours can be inside or outside Canada.

This work must have been:

  • at NOC skill level C. NOC skill level C is a type of job that usually requires a secondary (high school) education and/or job-specific training; OR
  • You can also qualify for the Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program if you have experience working at a higher skill level in one of the following fields: a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse (NOC skill level A), or a licensed practical nurse (NOC skill level B), and you have a job offer as a nurse’s aide, orderly or patient services associate, or a home support worker (both NOC C).

Applicants now have 24 months after obtaining their education credential to apply for the AIGP.

Recent changes to the AISP also allow applicants to include work experience at skill level B acquired while working as a:

  • registered nurse (NOC 3012)
  • registered psychiatric nurse (NOC 3012)
  • licensed practical nurse (NOC 3233)

This experience can only be included if the applicant has a job offer as a:

  • nurse’s aide (NOC 3413)
  • orderly (NOC 3413)
  • patient services associate (NOC 3413)
  • home support worker (NOC 4412)

In addition, you must have a high-school diploma, post-secondary certificate or degree that is valid and equal to a Canadian equivalent and must have a level 4 in the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) for listening, speaking, reading and writing.

For more information, click here.

Atlantic International Graduate Program (AIGP)

To qualify for the AIGP, you must:

  • have lived in an Atlantic province for at least 16 months in the 2 years before getting your degree, diploma, or credential;
  • meet the education requirements;
  • take a language test to show you can communicate in English or French; and
  • show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family in Canada.

The AIGP does not require applicants to have work experience.

To learn more, click here.

In addition to the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, the Atlantic provinces also operate distinct Provincial Nominee Programs, through which they may nominate people already in their province and around the world for permanent residence based on criteria set locally. Those programs include: