The federal government through the new Atlantic’s immigration pilot program in Canada aims to invite 2000 new foreign employees with their families, together with other provinces government of New Brunswick, Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Foundland. The Atlantic region of Eastern Canada for which the applications are invited is referred to as “Maritimes”.

Canada’s Minister of Immigration on July 2016 met with the provincial heads of the four Atlantic provinces. The provinces worked together to establish this Immigration pilot project. The provincial and the federal government have identified that these provinces need more new foreign employees who can establish themselves in the local communities and the labor market as well.

The pilot Program of three-years has been initialised in order to help the sectors who are facing a huge amount of resource gaps and also to help the businesses to maintain and attract global talent. This program also includes the support for population growth, to increase employment rates and to develop a workforce that is highly skilled.
This program is a part of the overall growth strategy that would focus on Five major areas

• skilled workforce and immigration
• innovation
• clean growth and climate change
• trade and investment
• infrastructure

As per the targets are given by “Canada’s 2017 immigration Plan”, this Immigration Pilot Program will facilitate the entry of 2000 new immigrants into Atlantic Canada in 2017.

How does the Atlantic Immigration pilot program work?

All the foreign applicants coming to Canada under the immigration Pilot Program will have a job offer from a specific employer and a settlement plan for their family and themselves.

This program is considered to be an employee driven program, with substantial involvement of the employers in the provinces.

Once the employer finds a relevant candidate who fulfills their employment and program criteria, then that employer would be needed to offer a job to the eligible candidate. Employers in this program are not required to go through the process of obtaining an LMIA (Labour market Impact Assessment).

As soon as the candidate accepts the job offer, the candidate would be connected with a designated settlement service provider organization by the employer to develop a settlement plan and for assessment needs. If applicable, the employees of the designated company would also support the long term integration of their new employee along with their family so that they can reach the goals of settlement plans once they reach Canada.

Employers who are required to fill the job vacancies on an urgent note can get an access to a temporary work permit so that the employed candidate with their family can move to Canada as soon as possible.

In Order to Receive the Work Permit Candidates Would Require:

• A valid job offer
• Letter from the respective province
• Commitment from the candidate to apply within 90 days of the temporary work permit application for permanent residence.

Candidates Requirement

Two programs are designated for skilled workers by the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program:

• AHSP – Atlantic High-Skilled Program
• AISP – Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program

Program for international student graduates:

• AIGP – Atlantic International Graduate Program

Find the table below for the review of requirements: