The Atlantic Immigration pilot program was launched in 2017 as part of a joint initiative to stimulate economic growth in Canada’s Atlantic provinces by attracting skilled workers. The Atlantic provinces include New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

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In order to qualify for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, applicants must have an official job offer from a designated employer. In 2018 the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program aimed to welcome a maximum of 2,500 new immigrants to the Atlantic region, with targets increasing to 4,000 by 2020. The Atlantic Immigration Pilot program is commonly referred to as AIPP, it has been extended until December 2021. The pilot program forms part of an overall Atlantic Growth Strategy that is focused on the following five priority areas:

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• skilled workforce and immigration;

• innovation;

• clean growth and climate change;

• trade and investment; and

• infrastructure.

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HOW DOES AIPP WORK?

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The Atlantic Immigration Pilot is an employer-driven immigration program that facilitates the hiring of foreign workers. All principal applicants arriving in Canada under the pilot program must have a job offer from a designated employer and an individualized settlement plan for themselves and their family. 

 

Once a designated employer finds a candidate who meets their employment needs and the program criteria, that employer will need to first offer them a job. Employers do not need to go through the process of obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under this program.

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Once the candidate accepts the job, the employer can then connect the candidate with a designated settlement service provider organization for a needs assessment and to develop a settlement plan, which is mandatory requirement of this program. Employers are also required to support the long-term integration of the new immigrant and their family allowing them to reach the goals of their settlement plan once they arrive in Canada.

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WHAT PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE UNDER AIPP?​

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There are 3 programs available under the Atlantic Immigrant Pilot Program (AIPP):

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• Atlantic International Graduate Program

• Atlantic High-skilled Program

• Atlantic Intermediate-skilled Program

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PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS MATRIX​

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