FEDERAL PILOTS

Atlantic Immigration Program

A permanent federal pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers and international graduates who want to work and live in Atlantic Canada.

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PLAIN-LANGUAGE OVERVIEW

A permanent, employer-driven Atlantic pathway

The Atlantic Immigration Program offers permanent residence to skilled foreign workers and international graduates from a post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada who want to work and live in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador.

IRCC began accepting permanent residence applications under this program on March 6, 2022. It replaced the temporary Atlantic Immigration Pilot, which expired at the end of 2021. The program is employer-driven: a designated Atlantic employer makes the job offer, the province endorses the candidate, and IRCC decides the permanent residence application.

Who this guide may suit

Skilled workers who want to settle in one of the four Atlantic provinces rather than a large metropolitan centre.
Candidates with a genuine job offer from an employer designated under the program.
Recent graduates of a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada with a qualifying job offer.
People already in Canada as temporary residents, as well as candidates living abroad, since both may be considered.
Employers in Atlantic Canada who want to understand how designation and candidate endorsement work.

Eligibility factors to review

Immigration rules change frequently.

These are key factors, not a complete eligibility test. Check the current official instructions and your individual circumstances before applying.

Designated job offer

You must receive a job offer from an employer designated by the Atlantic province where you will work. Employers apply to their province for designation before they can hire under the program.

Provincial endorsement

The province reviews the candidate and the offer and issues an endorsement certificate. Without endorsement, the permanent residence application cannot proceed.

Settlement plan

Candidates work with an approved settlement service provider to prepare a settlement plan, which the designated employer includes with the endorsement application.

Work experience, language, education

Skilled workers generally need qualifying recent work experience along with minimum language proficiency and education requirements. International graduates of Atlantic institutions may be exempt from the work experience requirement.

A careful, step-by-step approach

Secure a designated job offer

Confirm the employer holds current designation from the relevant Atlantic province before treating the offer as program-eligible.
Prepare the settlement plan

Connect with an approved settlement service provider and complete the settlement plan for yourself and any accompanying family.
Obtain provincial endorsement

The designated employer submits the endorsement application with your settlement plan; the province issues an endorsement certificate.
Apply to IRCC

Submit the permanent residence application online with the endorsement certificate and all supporting documents, and review whether a work permit is needed while it is processed.

Your document starting point

The exact checklist depends on your route, stage, and circumstances. This list helps prepare the discussion; it does not replace IRCC's personalized document requirements.

Valid job offer from a designated Atlantic employer.
Provincial endorsement certificate.
Settlement plan from an approved settlement service provider.
Language test results from an approved testing organization.
Educational credentials and, where required, an educational credential assessment.
Employer reference letters covering qualifying work experience.
Passport and identity documents for all applicants.

Refusal risks and preparation pitfalls

Eligibility and evidence both matter. The following points deserve attention; this is not an exhaustive list or a prediction of a decision.

Treating a job offer as program-eligible when the employer is not actually designated.
Endorsement refused because the province is not satisfied with the offer or the candidate.
Settlement plans that are incomplete or prepared without an approved provider.
Work experience documents that do not clearly cover the required period and duties.
Language or education results that do not meet the minimum for the claimed category.

Common questions

Does the Atlantic Immigration Program use Express Entry?

No. It is a separate federal route. You apply for permanent residence directly under the program after endorsement, not through the Express Entry pool.

Does the employer need an LMIA?

The program uses a provincial employer-designation model rather than an LMIA-based process. The employer must be designated by the province before making a qualifying offer.

Can I get a work permit while my application is processed?

IRCC describes an optional work permit step for candidates with a designated job offer and a referral letter from the Atlantic province, subject to the published conditions.

Which provinces are covered?

New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Each province runs its own employer designation and endorsement process.

Do international graduates need work experience?

Recent graduates of recognized Atlantic post-secondary institutions may be exempt from the work experience requirement if they meet the other conditions set out by IRCC.

Related guides

Go to the official source

Use the links below for current government requirements and application instructions.

Last reviewed: September 2026.

This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. It does not assess your eligibility or guarantee an outcome. A review of your full circumstances and current rules is needed before taking action.

PERSONAL GUIDANCE. PRACTICAL NEXT STEPS.

Check your Atlantic route
before you commit to it.

Discuss your circumstances with Balpreet Singh, RCIC #R525492.

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