Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program was recently made permanent by the Canadian government and provides employers in Atlantic Canada the opportunity to hire foreign skilled workers who want to immigrate to Atlantic Canada and international graduates who want to stay in Atlantic Canada after they graduate from a post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada.

To be eligible for the program you have to show proof that you meet the language, education and work experience requirements and that you have enough money to support you and your family when you come to Canada.

• Atlantic International Graduate Program
• have a degree, diploma or other credential from a publicly funded institution in an Atlantic province
• have lived in an Atlantic province for at least 16 months in the 2 years before getting your degree, diploma or credential
• take a language test to show you can communicate in English or French
• show you can support yourself and your family when you come to Canada
• Work experience is not required for international graduates hired through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot.
• Atlantic High-Skilled Program
• have worked in a management, professional or technical/skilled job for at least a year
• have at least a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent education
• take a language test to show you can communicate in English or French
• show you can support yourself and your family when you come to Canada
• The employer must also meet certain requirements.
• Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program
• have worked in a job that requires a high school education and/or job-specific training for at least a year
• have at least a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent education
• take a language test to show you can communicate in English or French
• show you can support yourself and your family when you come to Canada
• The employer must also meet certain requirements.

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 primary occupation at Skill level 0, A, B, C
• you have performed the activities 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 was acquired from paid work (volunteer work or unpaid internships do not count);
• your work experience was acquired overseas or in Canada (as long as you were legally authorized to work in Canada as a temporary resident).

Job Offer

• from a designated employer in an Atlantic province,
• full time and non-seasonal,
• at skill level O, A, B or C

Education

• You must have a high-school diploma, post-secondary certificate or degree that is valid and equal to a Canadian equivalent.
• If you did not complete your studies in Canada, you’ll need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to show that your studies are equal to a Canadian secondary or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree.
• Your ECA report must be less than five years old on the date we receive your application.

Language requirements

CLB 4 in IELTS or CELPIP (4.5 listening, 3.5 reading, 4.0 writing, 4.0 speaking)

• If you have already done language testing, your test results must not be more than two years old on the date your application is received.

Funds needed to settle in Canada

You must submit proof with your application to show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada. Examples of documents you can submit are:

• current bank statements or certification letter
• proof of your savings balance
• deposit statements

You cannot borrow this money from another person. You must be able to use this money to pay the costs of living for your family (even if they are not coming with you) depending on the size of family.