Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program is a partnership program between Canada’s federal government and the four provinces in the region: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island.

To immigrate to Atlantic Canada through the pilot, you must be a recent graduate of a publicly funded institution in Atlantic Canada or a skilled worker who meets the program requirements.

You can be living abroad or already be in Canada temporarily.

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot is an employer-driven program that facilitates the hiring of foreign workers. All principal applicants arriving in Canada under the pilot program must have a job offer from a designated employer and an individualized settlement plan for themselves and their families.

Once a designated employer finds a candidate who meets their employment needs and the program criteria, that employer will need to first offer them a job. 

Employers do not need to go through the process of obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under this program.

Once the candidate has accepted the job, the employer will connect the candidate with a designated settlement service provider organization for a needs assessment and develop a settlement plan. Employers will also support the long-term integration of the new immigrant and his or her family, if applicable, so they can reach the goals of their settlement plan once they arrive in Canada.

Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program: How it works

Employers that need to fill a job vacancy quickly will have access to a temporary work permit so that the candidate and his or her family can come to Canada as soon as possible. In order to obtain this work permit, candidates will need:

  • a valid job offer;
  • a letter from the province; and
  • a commitment to apply for permanent residence within 90 days of the temporary work permit application.

In order to hire employees under Atlantic Immigration Program, you do not require any Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). There are certain requirements that one must meet to make eligible job offers.

Under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot program, the candidates are targeted under various categories:


Atlantic High-Skilled Program
Professionals who have professional or technical skilled job experience fall under this category. There are many other requirements as well in order to be eligible under this category.


Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program
Candidates who aim for employment after high school education or job-specific training. However, there is specificity regarding the job to be permanent.


Atlantic International Graduate Program
This program is for the candidate show have a degree or a diploma from a publicly funded institution in an Atlantic province. Work experience is not mandatory. The job offer must last for a minimum of one year.