Atlantic Immigration

This program helps employers in Atlantic Canada hire foreign skilled workers who want to immigrate to Atlantic Canada and international graduates who want to stay in Atlantic Canada after they graduate.

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) is an innovative partnership aimed at attracting and retaining skilled immigrants and international graduates to meet the unique workforce needs of the Atlantic region. The goal is to ensure the long-term retention and integration of newcomers in Atlantic Canada to help drive economic growth.

To achieve these results, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Atlantic provinces participated in almost 1,000 meetings, industry events, career fairs and information sessions with regional employers and international student advisory groups throughout the Atlantic region.

Initially launched as a three-year pilot, the AIP will be extended by two years to December 2021. This will give IRCC and the Atlantic provinces more time to assess the innovative aspects of this pilot: its employer-driven focus, mandatory settlement plan, and new model of partnership with the Atlantic provinces and ACOA.

In addition, recent changes to the AIP will see benefits for international students, employers in the healthcare sector and the provinces: