Atlantic Immigration Program
Permanent residence for skilled workers and international graduates with a job offer from a designated Atlantic employer.
Explore Atlantic Immigration ProgramFEDERAL & COMMUNITY PILOTS
Federal pilots and community programs.
Chosen through employers
and communities.
Some federal routes select candidates through designated employers and community recommendation rather than a federal points draw. This hub explains the open pilots and gives the current status of programs that are closed or paused.
WHY THESE PROGRAMS EXIST
Built for regions,
not just for scores.
Pilot programs spread immigration benefits beyond the largest cities by matching newcomers with the employers and communities that need them.
Instead of ranking everyone in a single national pool, these routes let a designated employer or a participating community identify the candidate. Local endorsement is usually the key step before an IRCC decision.
Pilots are time-limited by design. They can open, pause, close, or be replaced with something new, so the current official status always needs checking before plans are made.
THE PROGRAM GUIDES
Choose a guide to explore.
Rural Community Immigration Pilot
A community-recommended route to permanent residence for workers settling in participating rural communities.
Explore Rural Community Immigration PilotFrancophone Community Immigration Pilot
A French-language route to permanent residence for candidates settling in francophone minority communities outside Quebec.
Explore Francophone Community Immigration PilotStart-up Visa
Not accepting new applications. Read the current status and what IRCC has announced about a replacement.
Read the status noteCaregiver Pilots
The caregiver pilots are paused to new applications. Read the current status and alternative routes.
Read the status noteHOW THESE PROGRAMS WORK
Selection by endorsement.
Most pilots replace a federal ranking with a local one: an employer or a community selects the candidate first, then IRCC assesses the application for permanent residence.
Community-driven selection
Designated employers make qualifying job offers to candidates they need. In the community pilots, a local economic development organization reviews the candidate and issues a community recommendation.
Settlement support is part of the model: candidates work with local settlement services so that newcomers and families arrive with a practical integration plan.
Pilots change
A pilot is a test, not a permanent fixture. Programs can be extended, redesigned, paused, or closed, and closed programs are sometimes replaced with new ones that work differently.
Anyone considering a pilot route should confirm the current status on the official IRCC page and have an alternative pathway in mind.
Immigration rules change frequently.
These guides describe how pilot routes generally work. Current eligibility, participating communities, and intake status must be checked against the official source before any application is planned.
FEDERAL PILOTS FAQ
Common questions.
Do these programs use the Express Entry points system?
No. Pilot routes are applied for separately from Express Entry. Endorsement or recommendation is the key selection step, followed by an IRCC assessment.
Do I need a job offer for a pilot program?
The Atlantic, rural, and francophone pilots all require a valid job offer from a designated employer. Closed or paused programs have their own history, explained in the status notes.
What happens if a pilot closes while I am interested?
Applications already accepted are usually processed to completion, but new intake stops. Check the official status and discuss alternative routes rather than waiting on announcements.
Can I apply from outside Canada?
It depends on the pilot. Some accept candidates living abroad and some have separate conditions for workers already in Canada. The program guide explains the current position.
Do these programs replace a Provincial Nominee Program?
No. They are separate federal routes. Some candidates compare both and pursue whichever fits their job offer and location plans.
Official federal pilot resources
- IRCC: Atlantic Immigration Program
- IRCC: rural and francophone community pilots
- IRCC: Rural Community Immigration Pilot eligibility
- IRCC: immigration programs, including paused and closed ones
Last reviewed: September 2026.
Immigration rules change frequently. This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Current requirements and individual circumstances need review before action is taken.
PERSONAL GUIDANCE. PRACTICAL NEXT STEPS.
Find the route
that fits your situation.
Discuss your circumstances with Balpreet Singh, RCIC #R525492.