IMMERGITY
What Is the Atlantic Immigration Program?
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a federal employer-driven immigration pathway providing a direct route to Canadian permanent residence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland. Unlike Express Entry, AIP has no CRS score requirement — if you have a qualifying job offer from a designated Atlantic employer and meet the program requirements, you can apply directly for PR. Use IMMERGITY's free Eligibility Assessment to check whether AIP is one of your eligible pathways.
AIP covers a broader occupation range than Express Entry-only routes, including NOC TEER 3 roles. If your occupation falls in TEER 3 and you have struggled with CEC eligibility or FSW grid requirements, AIP may be your clearest path forward.
Eligibility Requirements
The Employer Must Be Designated
Each province maintains its own list of designated employers. Employers not yet designated can apply — the process takes several weeks. Your job offer must come from a designated employer in one of the four Atlantic provinces.
Job Offer Requirements
- Full-time (30+ hours per week) and non-seasonal
- Located in one of the four Atlantic provinces
- NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation
- Meets or exceeds the provincial median wage for the occupation
- Employer must complete a Settlement Plan with you
Candidate Work Experience
- At least 1,560 hours (1 year full-time equivalent) within the last 5 years
- Canadian or foreign work experience accepted
- Self-employment counts if verifiable
Language Requirements
- TEER 0/1: CLB 7 minimum in all four abilities
- TEER 2/3: CLB 5 minimum in all four abilities
Use IMMERGITY's CLB Converter to confirm your scores.
The AIP Process
- Find a designated Atlantic employer
- Receive a qualifying job offer
- Complete a Settlement Plan with a settlement service provider (free)
- Receive provincial endorsement (4–8 weeks)
- Submit PR application to IRCC
- Receive PR (~12–16 months IRCC processing)
Total timeline: 14–18 months. See our Canada PR timeline guide for a full comparison.
AIP vs Express Entry
- CRS required: AIP — No; Express Entry — Yes (480–525 for all-program draws)
- Job offer required: AIP — Yes (designated employer); Express Entry — No (most streams)
- TEER 3 eligible: Both — Yes
- Location restriction: AIP — Must intend to live in Atlantic Canada; Express Entry — None
- Processing time: AIP — 14–18 months; Express Entry post-ITA — 6–12 months
If your CRS score is competitive (480+), Express Entry is faster. If you are below 460 and cannot get a provincial nomination, AIP is often the most direct route. Use the PNP Program Finder to compare all provincial options.
AIP for International Students
Graduates of recognized Atlantic Canadian post-secondary institutions (2+ year programs) may qualify under the international graduate stream with reduced work experience requirements.
Important: Genuine Settlement Intent
AIP requires genuine intention to settle in the endorsing Atlantic province. Applying with no real intention of staying constitutes misrepresentation. Read our guide to immigration refusals for more.
Use IMMERGITY's free Eligibility Assessment to check whether AIP is the right pathway for your profile. For a detailed strategy, book a consultation with IMMERGITY.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)?
AIP is a federal employer-driven pathway to Canadian PR in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland. There is no CRS score requirement — you need a qualifying job offer from a designated Atlantic employer and must meet work experience and language requirements. Check your AIP eligibility at the Eligibility Assessment.
Do I need a CRS score for the Atlantic Immigration Program?
No. AIP has no CRS score requirement. You apply directly for PR once you have a qualifying job offer, provincial endorsement, and completed settlement plan. This makes AIP one of the most accessible PR pathways for candidates with lower CRS scores.
How long does AIP processing take in 2026?
Approximately 14–18 months total: 4–8 weeks for provincial endorsement, plus 12–16 months for IRCC PR processing. For a full comparison of all pathways, see our Canada PR timeline guide.
What are the language requirements for AIP?
TEER 0/1 occupations require CLB 7 in all four abilities. TEER 2/3 occupations require CLB 5 in all four abilities. Use the CLB Converter to verify your language scores meet the AIP minimum for your NOC level.
Can I use AIP if my CRS score is too low for Express Entry?
Yes. AIP has no CRS minimum. If your score is below 460 and you cannot secure a provincial nomination, AIP with an Atlantic employer job offer is often the clearest available route. Use the PNP Program Finder to compare AIP alongside other options.
Does AIP cover TEER 3 occupations?
Yes. AIP covers NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 — the same range as Express Entry. TEER 4 and TEER 5 are not eligible.