Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) — employer-driven

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is an employer-driven federal-provincial partnership program for permanent residence in the four Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador).

AIP differs from PNP in that the EMPLOYER is the primary driver — they must be "designated" and "endorse" the applicant. Faster processing than many PNPs (target 6 months).

Draft AIP application strategy for [CLIENT_NAME] employed at [ATLANTIC_EMPLOYER] in [PROVINCE] as [POSITION_TITLE] (NOC [NOC_CODE], TEER [TEER_LEVEL]).

§1 — AIP ELIGIBILITY (180-220 words)

For the APPLICANT:
  (a) Work experience: 1 year (1,560 hours) of full-time experience within last 5 years in NOC TEER 0/1/2/3
      Exception: graduates of designated Atlantic post-secondary institutions can apply within 2 years of graduation without prior work experience
  (b) Education:
      • TEER 0/1: at least 1-year Canadian post-secondary credential or equivalent foreign credential with ECA
      • TEER 2/3: secondary school diploma or equivalent
  (c) Language:
      • TEER 0/1/2: CLB 5 each band
      • TEER 3: CLB 4 each band
  (d) Settlement funds: same as FSW (Family of 1 → CAD 14,690) UNLESS applicant already legally working in Atlantic Canada

For the EMPLOYER ([ATLANTIC_EMPLOYER]):
  (a) Must be designated by the provincial government as an AIP employer
  (b) Have a genuine job offer for [CLIENT_NAME]
  (c) Job must be:
      • Full-time (≥30 hours/week)
      • Non-seasonal
      • At least 1 year duration (TEER 0/1/2) or permanent (TEER 3)
      • Wage at or above the provincial median for the occupation
  (d) Demonstrated need (no LMIA required, but employer must show recruitment efforts)
  (e) Designation valid + employer in good standing
  (f) Employer connects applicant with a settlement service provider organisation

§2 — AIP PROCESS (200-250 words)

Stage 1 — Employer designation:
  [ATLANTIC_EMPLOYER] must already be designated. Verify via:
  • New Brunswick: gnb.ca/aip
  • Nova Scotia: novascotiaimmigration.com
  • PEI: princeedwardisland.ca/aip
  • Newfoundland & Labrador: gov.nl.ca/aip

Stage 2 — Job offer:
  [ATLANTIC_EMPLOYER] issues a job offer letter using:
  • Province-specific Confirmation of Job Offer Form
  • Detailed position description matching NOC duties
  • Wage at or above provincial median for [NOC_CODE]
  • Start date

Stage 3 — Settlement plan:
  Employer connects applicant to a Settlement Service Provider Organisation (SPO) in the province. SPO provides:
  • Welcome letter
  • Settlement plan (housing, banking, schools, networks)
  • Cultural orientation

Stage 4 — Endorsement application:
  Applicant submits Endorsement Application to the province with:
  • Job offer
  • Settlement plan
  • Educational credentials
  • Language test
  • Work experience evidence

Stage 5 — Endorsement issued:
  Provincial government endorses the applicant. Endorsement valid 6 months.

Stage 6 — PR application:
  Apply to federal IRCC for PR within 6 months of endorsement.
  Application fee: CAD 1,365 (principal applicant)
  Processing time: 6 months target.

§3 — APPLICANT PACKAGE (120-150 words)

Endorsement application requires:
  □ Provincial endorsement application form
  □ Job offer from [ATLANTIC_EMPLOYER]
  □ Settlement plan from designated SPO
  □ Passport bio + photos
  □ Education credentials + ECA (foreign)
  □ Language test ([IELTS_GENERAL] mapped to CLB)
  □ Work experience reference letters
  □ Settlement funds proof (if not already working in AC)
  □ Provincial endorsement fee (varies by province, typically CAD 250-700)

Federal PR application requires the same package PLUS:
  □ Schedule A (IMM 5669)
  □ Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)
  □ Use of Representative (IMM 5476 if RCIC retained)
  □ Police certificates from all countries 6+ months since 18
  □ Medical exam (12 months valid)
  □ Federal application fee: CAD 1,365

§4 — POST-PR (40-60 words)

  • Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) issued
  • Land in Atlantic Canada
  • Start work with [ATLANTIC_EMPLOYER]
  • Access to settlement services for 5 years post-arrival
  • Path to citizenship: 3 years of physical presence in Canada (within 5 years of becoming PR)

§5 — APPEAL OF AIP FOR INDIAN BUYERS (40-60 words)

vs Express Entry: AIP much easier on CRS (none required); lower language threshold (CLB 5 vs 7).
vs SINP / AAIP: AIP has dedicated employer onboarding; settlement plan mandatory makes it more buyer-friendly.
Trade-off: must commit to Atlantic Canada specifically; lower wages, smaller cities.

End with: "DRAFT AIP APPLICATION — for RCIC review. Verify [ATLANTIC_EMPLOYER] is currently designated; designation status changes. Provincial endorsement criteria vary slightly between four provinces — confirm provincial nuances at the relevant provincial portal."