The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP)

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) is an employer-driven immigration program that helps employers in Atlantic Canada hire qualified foreign workers and international graduates to fill labour shortages in their businesses.

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot is a fast-track immigration program that allows employers in Canada’s four Atlantic provinces — Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island — to hire foreign nationals for jobs they haven’t been able to fill locally.

The program is a partnership between the Government of Canada, the four Atlantic Provinces (New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island), and employers in the region. The program provides an opportunity for employers to hire temporary foreign workers and permanent residents, and to provide support to help immigrants and their families settle in Atlantic Canada.

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) is a three-year economic immigration program designed to help Atlantic Canadian employers recruit, hire and retain international workers and international graduates whose skills are in high demand, and support their successful settlement in the region.

The requirements for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program are as follows:

• The applicant must have a full-time job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada. 
• The applicant must meet the language requirements of the job offer. 
• The applicant must have the necessary skills, education and work experience for the job. 
• The applicant must have sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their family during their stay in Canada. 
• The applicant must demonstrate that they have the intention and ability to permanently settle in Atlantic Canada.

The amount of funds required for all 3 immigration pathways under AIPP will depend on the type of pathway you choose. Generally, the funds required for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) are the most expensive, while the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) are less expensive. 

For the FSWP, applicants must demonstrate that they have at least $12,475 in settlement funds to support themselves and their family members in Canada. For the PNP and AIPP pathways, the funds required are dependent on the specific program, but generally range from $10,000 to $50,000.

The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration has temporarily paused the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry (NSEEE) stream to NOC 62020 – food service supervisors. The following are currently not eligible:

• Under NSEEE, work experience with NOC 62020
• Under AIP, job offers with NOC 62020

The following remain the same:

• Candidates using NOC 62020 can apply through the Skilled Worker Stream
• Businesses working in the food and hospitality sectors will continue to be able to use the Skilled Worker stream to recruit food service supervisors.
• Employers are also able to recruit food and beverage servers (NOC 65200) and food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations (NOC 65201) through the Occupations in Demand (OiD) stream.

If you need further assistance, please contact our office for help identifying the best option to recruit food service supervisors.

Currently, transport truck drivers (NOC 73300) applications are not being accepted by Nova Scotia’s Atlantic Immigration Program. Transport trucking employers are encouraged to use the Nova Scotia Nominee Program’s Skilled Worker stream, Occupations in Demand stream or Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry.