Permanent residency in Canada through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP)

Thinking of permanent residency in Canada (as a skilled immigrant)? The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) is available asides the popular Express Entry

This Info covers

- What AIPP is
- AIPP requirement & procedure
- How to look for AIPP job offer
- Fees/costs

Canada's Atlantic region (comprising of the provinces of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador) is one of the 5 regions in the country.

The other 4 regions are:
- West Coast
- Central Canada
- The Prairies
- Northern Territories 

In 2017, the Government of Canada started the AIPP

The 3-year pilot allows local employers to identify, recruit & retain global talent. To support population growth, develop a skilled workforce & increase employment rates in the Atlantic region.

Details bit.ly/2ul89IK 

There are 3 sub-programs in AIPP

-Atlantic International Graduate Program
-Atlantic High-skilled Program
-Atlantic Intermediate-skilled Program

Any of the 3 can be used to hire qualified candidates (in or outside Canada) for jobs the employers haven’t been able to fill locally. 

Atlantic International Graduate- for graduates from an institution in the region

Atlantic High-skilled - if you have 1-year experience in NOC 0, A or B

Atlantic Intermediate-skilled - if you have 1-year experience in NOC C or as a Nurse

Find your NOC at bit.ly/2XzFuMz 

If you're applying outside Canada, your focus should be Atlantic High-skilled or Intermediate-skilled Program. The one to choose is based on the NOC classification of your job. Once the NOC is decided, there are other requirements to fulfill

Importantly, AIPP is employer-driven! 

Read also : Scholarships & Jobs in Canada.

It means you must have an eligible job offer from an employer designated by the government of the Atlantic province you will be working.

The job offer must also be
- Full time
- Non-seasonal
- Fit the NOC level
- Last for at least 1 year. 

Designated employers for the AIPP

-Prince Edward Island bit.ly/39ifCqD
-Nova Scotia bit.ly/31AsGVE
-New Brunswick bit.ly/2umjqbM
-Newfoundland & Labrador bit.ly/37c8BGk

Note that this list doesn't mean the employers are currently recruiting. However, with the list of designated employers, you know where to search for available jobs.

Almost (if not all) the employers have websites with career/recruitment sections.

- Decide your NOC
- Find an employer in your field
- Regularly visit their websites for available jobs. 

Some employers/provinces also regularly travel around the world to scout for employees.

Immigration Officers & employers from New Brunswick have held some International recruitment events from Jan - Feb 2020 (still ongoing).Be on the lookout for such.

Sign up at http://bit.ly/2FNPpDv

Once you get a job offer from a designated employer, some paper works will be done by both the employer and the applicant, and you are good to go with your PR Application.

Compared to the Express Entry, the language score and settlement funds required for the AIPP is also lower. 

Read also : 15 things to do as a new permanent resident in Canada.

Required Language score for AIPP is Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4. Details bit.ly/2UDaCbV

Required proof of funds (POF) for AIPP is also by family members. Details bit.ly/2vkO4lF

In comparison, POF for one applicant in EE is $12,960; in AIPP it is $3,240 

The application fees/cost is the same as EE:

- Application & Right of permanent residence fee $1,040 CAD (single applicant)

- For a family, an additional $1,040 CAD for spouse & $150 CAD for each dependent child

- Biometric Fee $85 CAD (single applicant), or $170 CAD (family) 

You can only submit your application for PR (under the AIPP), after you & the employer have completed all the steps above.

Unlike the Express Entry, the AIPP is also a paper application. You will mail your application to the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Sydney, NS, Canada. 

In summary, to become a permanent resident in Canada through Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

-Decide your eligibility
-Find & receive a job offer from a designated employer
-Do all the paper works required
-Submit your application for PR

I hope some find this useful. Cheers! 

Author

Read also : Canada's Provincial Nominee Programs as a skilled immigrant.