If you searched for AIPP requirements, the first thing to know is that the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) closed to new applications on March 5, 2022. The federal government replaced it the next day with the permanent Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). The eligibility rules, the four Atlantic provinces, and the employer-driven structure all carried over, but the streams, the language thresholds, and the application forms changed. This guide uses the legacy “AIPP requirements” wording readers still type into Google, but every rule and number on this page reflects the program that is actually open in 2026.
You qualify for the AIP if you have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated Atlantic employer, 1,560 hours of paid work in the past five years (or a recent qualifying credential from an Atlantic Canadian school), Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 or CLB 4 by NOC TEER, an Educational Credential Assessment for any foreign education, settlement funds under the IRCC schedule, and a settlement plan endorsed by the province where the job sits. There is no Comprehensive Ranking System and no draw. You apply when your endorsement is in hand.
This guide walks through every current AIP rule that decides whether your file passes or gets refused: the AIPP-to-AIP transition, the four pillars of eligibility, the TEER-by-TEER language and education chart, the settlement-funds table effective July 2025 (still current in April 2026), the post-April 30 2026 IRCC fee schedule, the realistic 40-month processing time, and the document checklist a complete file needs. Every program rule on this page is cited directly to canada.ca.
Key Takeaways
- The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) was a five-year pilot that ran from March 2017 to March 5, 2022. It admitted more than 10,000 permanent residents to Atlantic Canada and was replaced on March 6, 2022 by the permanent Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). AIPP requirements as a standalone program no longer exist; the questions readers ask under that keyword now resolve to the AIP rules. (CBC News on the transition)
- The AIP is an employer-driven federal economic immigration program for Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick. There is no points draw. You need a full-time, non-seasonal offer from a provincially designated employer to even start.
- Skilled workers need 1,560 hours (one year of full-time-equivalent paid work) within the past five years. International graduates from a recognized Atlantic Canadian post-secondary institution need a 2-year-plus credential and 16 months of residence in the region in the prior 24 months, but no work experience.
- The language threshold is CLB 5 in all four abilities for jobs at NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3, and CLB 4 for TEER 4 jobs. That is a meaningfully lower bar than the CLB 7 that the Federal Skilled Worker stream requires for TEER 0 and 1.
- Settlement funds for a single applicant in 2026 are CAD$3,815 under the schedule IRCC posted on July 29, 2025. Applicants already living in Canada on a valid work permit do not need to show settlement funds. (CIC News on the 2025 settlement funds increase)
- IRCC raised most permanent residence fees on April 30, 2026. A single principal applicant now pays CAD$1,590 federally (CAD$990 processing plus CAD$600 Right of Permanent Residence Fee). (CIC News on the April 2026 fee increase)
- The IRCC service standard for the AIP is 11 months. The posted processing time as of April 2026 is 40 months, up from 33 months in March, with roughly 13,200 files in the inventory. (Liberty Immigration April 2026 IRCC processing-times update)
Check Out Canada Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program | AIPP Requirements:
AIPP vs. AIP: What Changed in 2022
Most articles ranking for “AIPP requirements” still describe the old pilot. The pilot is closed. Here is what actually changed when IRCC and the four Atlantic provinces flipped the program from pilot to permanent on March 6, 2022.
| Element | AIPP (2017-2022, closed) | AIP (2022-present) |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Five-year pilot | Permanent federal program |
| Streams | Atlantic High-Skilled, Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled, Atlantic International Graduate | One unified program with TEER-based pathways |
| Job classification | NOC 2016 skill levels (0, A, B, C) | NOC 2021 TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Language minimum | CLB 4 (Intermediate-Skilled) to CLB 5 (High-Skilled / Graduate) by stream | CLB 5 (TEER 0-3) or CLB 4 (TEER 4) |
| Employer status | Designated employer + LMIA-exempt | Designated employer + LMIA-exempt |
| Settlement plan | Required, no formal SPO partnership rule | Required, prepared with a recognized settlement service provider organization (SPO) |
| Settlement funds | Not always required at intake | Required unless already working in Canada on a valid work permit |
| Endorsement | Required, provincial | Required, provincial |
| Application forms | IMM 5562 / IMM 5669 plus pilot-specific guides (Guide 5424, 5466, 5497) | Single AIP guide (Guide 0154) and document checklist (IMM 0155); employer offer form IMM 0157 |
| Closed to new applications | March 5, 2022 | Open and ongoing |
If you started a file under the old pilot but never submitted it, you cannot revive it. The AIP is now the only Atlantic-specific federal economic stream open to new applicants. The McInnes Cooper labour and immigration team summarized the legal-side changes in detail when the program transitioned (McInnes Cooper: From Pilot to Permanent).
Atlantic Immigration Program: The Short Answer
The Atlantic Immigration Program is a federal economic immigration pathway that grants permanent residence to skilled workers and international graduates who have a job offer from a designated employer in one of the four Atlantic provinces and a settlement plan endorsed by that province. You qualify if you have 1,560 hours of paid skilled work in the past five years (or a 2-year-plus Atlantic Canadian credential with 16 months of regional residence and no work-experience requirement), a passing language test at CLB 5 (TEER 0-3) or CLB 4 (TEER 4), an ECA for any foreign education, and the settlement funds IRCC requires for your family size. There is no Comprehensive Ranking System, no points draw, and no Express Entry pool. The program is employer-driven from start to finish.
Why Most Eligible Candidates Choose the Atlantic Path
The AIP’s structural advantages stack up for candidates who would struggle in the Express Entry pool but who can land a real job offer in Atlantic Canada.
- No CRS, no draw. Express Entry’s Canadian Experience Class draws are clearing at CRS 507-515 in 2026. AIP candidates do not compete on CRS. A complete file with a designated job offer and a provincial endorsement moves to IRCC.
- Lower language threshold than Express Entry. CLB 5 across the four abilities is enough for any TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 job. The Federal Skilled Worker stream demands CLB 7 across the board.
- Lower education threshold for many roles. A Canadian high school diploma (or foreign equivalent with an ECA) is enough for TEER 2, 3, and 4 jobs. FSW candidates need at least a one-year Canadian post-secondary credential or its assessed equivalent.
- No CRS-style settlement-funds penalty for in-Canada workers. Applicants already working in Canada on a valid work permit are exempt from the settlement-funds requirement. FSW applicants face the same exemption only if they hold an arranged-employment letter.
- Built-in optional work permit. AIP-specific employer-specific work permits run up to 24 months, and accompanying spouses or common-law partners can apply for an open work permit during processing. That keeps the household earning while IRCC works the file.
- LMIA-exempt offer. A designated AIP employer does not have to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment for the offer that anchors the application. That cuts months off the front end of the process.
- Mandatory settlement support. Every applicant works with a recognized settlement service provider organization to build a settlement plan before the province issues an endorsement. That single requirement is one reason Atlantic Canada has a higher one-year retention rate among new permanent residents than several larger provinces.
The trade-offs are real. Processing has slowed sharply in 2026: the posted AIP time hit 40 months in April, well past the 11-month service standard. The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan revised the AIP target down to roughly 4,000 admissions in 2026 from the 5,000 figure carried in the previous plan, which means competition for designated job offers is tightening. The program is still off-limits for anyone who plans to settle in Quebec, where provincial immigration runs through Quebec-administered pathways.
Where the Program Operates: The Four Atlantic Provinces
The AIP only operates in Canada’s four Atlantic provinces. The job offer must come from an employer in one of these provinces, and the candidate must intend to live and work in that province after landing.
- Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). Designated-employer applications are reviewed by the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism. Major demand sectors: health care, fish and seafood processing, IT, construction.
- Nova Scotia (NS). Designated-employer reviews and AIP coordination run through the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration and the Live in Nova Scotia portal at liveinnovascotia.com. Major demand sectors: health care, IT, financial services, advanced manufacturing, hospitality.
- Prince Edward Island (PEI). Reviews run through the PEI Office of Immigration. Major demand sectors: aerospace, bioscience, food and beverage, tourism, IT.
- New Brunswick (NB). Reviews run through the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour and the Working NB platform. Major demand sectors: information and communications technology, advanced manufacturing, aquaculture, health care.
Quebec is not part of the program. Workers who plan to settle in Quebec apply through the province’s own programs.
AIP Eligibility Requirements (Replaces the Old AIPP Requirements)
Six pillars decide whether a file passes the AIP eligibility test. Miss any one and the application is refused regardless of how strong the other five look.
1. Job Offer From a Designated Atlantic Employer
A designated AIP employer is an employer in one of the four Atlantic provinces that has been approved by the provincial government to use the AIP as a hiring pathway. The designation is free for employers, but it requires the employer to commit in writing to settlement support and to a specific recruitment workflow. Not every Atlantic employer is designated, and a job offer from a non-designated employer does not count.
The job offer itself has to clear the following tests:
- Full-time and non-seasonal. At least 30 hours per week of guaranteed paid work, with no end-of-season layoff.
- Duration. At least one year for jobs at TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. Permanent (no end date) for jobs at TEER 4.
- Skill level alignment. The job’s TEER level must match or sit above the candidate’s qualifying work experience. A TEER 0 offer can be filled by anyone with experience at TEER 0 through TEER 4. A TEER 4 offer can only be filled by someone with TEER 4 experience.
- Wage. Meets or exceeds the applicable provincial median wage for the occupation. Provinces enforce this at the endorsement stage.
- Form. Recorded on Form IMM 0157 (Offer of Employment), signed by both the employer and the candidate.
Designated AIP employers do not need to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment for these offers. The designated-employer process is the AIP’s substitute for the LMIA test.
2. Work Experience or International Graduate Status
There are two doors into the AIP. You walk through one or the other.
Skilled Worker Track (1,560 Hours)
Skilled-worker candidates need at least 12 months of paid work, totaling 1,560 hours, in the five years before the application. The work has to be in a single NOC occupation that aligns with the TEER level of the job offer (or higher), and it can come from anywhere in the world. Full-time and part-time hours both count if they total 1,560 hours over a continuous twelve-month period within the five-year window. Self-employment, unpaid internships, and volunteer work do not count.
If the candidate worked while studying, those hours count only if the work was authorized under their study permit and was paid (co-op terms in some Canadian programs, for example, can qualify; on-campus jobs that meet the rules can qualify). If the work was unauthorized, it never counts.
International Graduate Track (No Hours Required)
International graduate candidates do not need any work experience at all. They qualify if they have:
- A degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship credential from a recognized publicly funded post-secondary institution in one of the four Atlantic provinces.
- A program length of at least two years of full-time study.
- 16 months of physical residence in Atlantic Canada in the 24 months before graduation.
- A valid study permit or visa for the entire study period.
The international graduate track is the lowest-friction door into the AIP for someone who completed a Canadian post-secondary credential in the region. The candidate does not need to take a different language test; the same CLB 5 / CLB 4 thresholds apply by TEER level of the job offer.
3. Education
| Job offer TEER | Minimum education |
|---|---|
| TEER 0 | One-year Canadian post-secondary credential or assessed foreign equivalent |
| TEER 1 | One-year Canadian post-secondary credential or assessed foreign equivalent |
| TEER 2 | Canadian high school diploma or assessed foreign equivalent |
| TEER 3 | Canadian high school diploma or assessed foreign equivalent |
| TEER 4 | Canadian high school diploma or assessed foreign equivalent |
If the credential was issued outside Canada, the candidate has to file an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from an IRCC-designated organization (World Education Services, IQAS, ICAS, CES at the University of Toronto, or a regulated profession’s national body). The ECA must be less than five years old on the day IRCC receives the application, and the credential being assessed must have been obtained within the last 24 months at the moment of application (a rolling rule that catches stale assessments).
4. Language Proficiency: CLB 5 or CLB 4 by NOC TEER
The AIP language minimum is set by the TEER level of the job offer, not by a single across-the-board threshold. The minimums are lower than Express Entry’s:
| Job offer TEER | Minimum CLB / NCLC | All four abilities |
|---|---|---|
| TEER 0 | 5 | Yes |
| TEER 1 | 5 | Yes |
| TEER 2 | 5 | Yes |
| TEER 3 | 5 | Yes |
| TEER 4 | 4 | Yes |
The candidate has to take an IRCC-approved language test:
- English: IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, or PTE Core (PTE Core has been accepted by IRCC for economic immigration since 2024).
- French: TEF Canada or TCF Canada (NCLC scale, equivalent to CLB).
The result has to be valid (less than two years old) on the day IRCC receives the application. A candidate cannot mix scores across two test sittings to assemble a composite.
Critical: The language test result must be valid on the day IRCC receives the AIP application, not the day the provincial endorsement is issued. The endorsement and the federal application are separate steps, and a result that expires between them triggers a refusal. Test 8 to 14 months before you expect to file with IRCC.
5. Settlement Funds
Applicants need to show enough liquid funds to support themselves and their family for the first weeks in Canada. The amounts are based on Statistics Canada’s Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) and IRCC updates them each summer. The figures below took effect on July 29, 2025 and remained in effect in April 2026.
| Family size | Minimum settlement funds (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $3,815 |
| 2 | $4,750 |
| 3 | $5,840 |
| 4 | $7,090 |
| 5 | $8,042 |
| 6 | $9,070 |
| 7 | $10,098 |
| Each additional family member | +$1,028 |
Two timing rules matter:
- Family size counts non-accompanying dependents. A spouse or dependent child who does not plan to come to Canada with you still counts toward the family size that sets the funds figure.
- Funds must be liquid and accessible. Letters from a bank confirming current balances and average balances over the past six months are the standard documentation. Equity in real estate, retirement accounts that cannot be drawn without penalty, and pending salary do not count.
Applicants already living in Canada on a valid work permit are exempt from the settlement-funds requirement. That exemption is one of the AIP’s most underused advantages for candidates who entered Canada under another stream and converted to an AIP file.
6. Settlement Plan and Provincial Endorsement
Every AIP applicant has to prepare a written settlement plan in partnership with a recognized settlement service provider organization (SPO). The SPO meets with the candidate, reviews their household profile, and produces a plan that covers schooling, housing, language training, transportation, and any health-care or community-integration needs the candidate has flagged. The plan is not optional and a one-page summary will not pass the endorsement review.
After the SPO produces the plan, the candidate gives it to the designated employer. The employer attaches it to a request for endorsement filed with the relevant province. The province reviews the package, and if the file is complete, issues an Endorsement Certificate. That certificate is the document the candidate needs to file the federal PR application with IRCC.
Endorsement timelines vary by province. Nova Scotia introduced a 12-month validity period for its Expressions of Interest effective May 1, 2026. The other three Atlantic provinces operate similar windows; check the most recent provincial guidance before you file.
How to Find a Designated Employer in Atlantic Canada
The AIP starts and ends with the job offer. A candidate who treats this step as a generic Canadian job search wastes time. Designated employers sit on a public list maintained by each Atlantic province.
- Newfoundland and Labrador: gov.nl.ca/immigration (designated-employers page)
- Nova Scotia: liveinnovascotia.com (Atlantic Immigration Program section)
- Prince Edward Island: princeedwardisland.ca (Office of Immigration, AIP designated-employers page)
- New Brunswick: www2.gnb.ca/immigration (Atlantic Immigration Program section)
Two practical tactics speed up the search. First, filter Job Bank Canada (jobbank.gc.ca) and Indeed Canada by the four Atlantic provinces and the keyword “Atlantic Immigration Program,” which pulls jobs that explicitly flag AIP designation. Second, check sector-specific portals such as health-care recruitment offices in each Atlantic province, which often pre-screen for AIP-designated openings. For broader Canadian job-search advice that complements this regional search, see our pillar on how to secure a Canadian job offer.
How the AIP Application Works (Step by Step)
The full path runs in seven steps from “I think I qualify” to a permanent resident landing.
Step 1: Secure a Job Offer From a Designated Employer
Identify a designated employer in your target province, apply for a posted role or pitch the employer directly, interview, and accept a written offer. The employer signs Form IMM 0157 and provides a signed employment contract. If you are an international graduate candidate, the same step applies; your credential simply substitutes for the work-experience test.
Step 2: Build a Settlement Plan With a Recognized SPO
Contact one of the recognized settlement service provider organizations in the province where the job sits. The SPO will meet with you (often virtually) and produce a written settlement plan covering housing, schooling, language training, transportation, and integration needs. There is no fee for this service. The SPO sends the plan to you; you forward it to the employer.
Step 3: Get a Provincial Endorsement Certificate
The employer attaches the offer, the settlement plan, and any provincially required forms to an endorsement application filed with the province. Provinces enforce wage and TEER alignment at this stage. A complete file produces an Endorsement Certificate, which is your ticket to apply to IRCC.
Step 4: Submit a Complete PR Application to IRCC
Use the Atlantic Immigration Program guide (Guide 0154) and document checklist (IMM 0155). Submit Form IMM 0008 (Generic Application), IMM 5669 (Schedule A), IMM 5406 (Additional Family Information), IMM 5562 (Travel History), and any required supplemental forms. Pay the processing fee at submission. The Right of Permanent Residence Fee can be paid at submission or after a positive eligibility decision.
Step 5: Apply for the Optional Two-Year AIP Work Permit
If you are outside Canada or your existing work permit is close to expiring, file the AIP-specific employer-specific work permit application after IRCC issues your acknowledgement of receipt. The permit is valid up to 24 months and is tied to the designated employer. Accompanying spouses or common-law partners can apply for an open work permit using the same intake.
Step 6: Biometrics, Medical, and Police Certificates
IRCC issues a Biometrics Instruction Letter and a request for an immigration medical exam from a panel physician. Biometrics fees are CAD$85 per person or CAD$170 per family; the medical exam is paid directly to the clinic and runs CAD$200-450 depending on city and required tests. Police certificates are required from every country (other than Canada) where you have lived for six months or more in a row since age 18.
Step 7: Land as a Permanent Resident
A successful application produces a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). You present the COPR (and a permanent resident visa, if your nationality requires one) to a Canada Border Services Agency officer at a port of entry to land as a permanent resident of Canada. Once you land, you can apply for a PR card and start counting days toward Canadian citizenship eligibility.
Documents You Need for an AIP Application
A complete e-application after the endorsement needs every document on this list. Missing items push the file into a procedural fairness loop or, worse, refusal for incomplete submission.
- Endorsement Certificate from the relevant Atlantic province.
- Offer of Employment (IMM 0157), signed.
- Signed employment contract matching the offer.
- Settlement plan prepared by a recognized SPO.
- Civil documents. Birth certificate, marriage certificate (or divorce decree), and birth certificates for any dependent children.
- Valid passport. Every page scanned, including blanks.
- Status documents in Canada (if applicable). Current and prior work or study permits, visa records.
- Employer reference letters (skilled worker track) for each NOC-claimed role, on company letterhead, listing dates, hours, salary, and main duties matching the NOC code.
- Pay stubs and tax documents supporting the work-experience claim.
- Education credentials. Diplomas, degrees, transcripts, and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for any foreign post-secondary education.
- Language test results. IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada, less than two years old on the day IRCC receives the application.
- Police certificates from every country (other than Canada) where you have lived for six or more consecutive months since age 18.
- Proof of settlement funds. Bank letters confirming current balances and average balances over the past six months; not required if you are already working in Canada on a valid work permit.
- IRCC-spec photographs for every applicant in the family.
- Forms. IMM 0008, IMM 5669, IMM 5406, IMM 5562, plus any province-specific supplementary forms.
- Biometrics confirmation after the instruction letter.
- Medical exam confirmation from a panel physician.
A clean file ships every document on the first attempt. Files that send incomplete documentation rarely save time, because the procedural fairness letter that follows resets the review clock.
AIP Fees in 2026
IRCC’s permanent residence fee schedule changed at 09:00 EDT on April 30, 2026. Every application paid after that timestamp falls under the new schedule.
| Fee item | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Processing fee, principal applicant | $990 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF), principal applicant | $600 |
| Principal applicant total | $1,590 |
| Spouse or common-law partner (processing + RPRF) | $1,590 |
| Dependent child (processing only) | $270 each |
| Biometrics, individual | $85 |
| Biometrics, family (two or more applying together) | $170 |
Two timing rules matter:
- The processing fee is charged on the date the application is e-submitted. Applications transmitted before 09:00 EDT on April 30, 2026 retain the prior fee schedule.
- The RPRF is charged on the date paid, not the date the application was submitted. Applicants who deferred the RPRF until after April 30, 2026 pay the new $600 figure even on files submitted earlier.
Critical: The Right of Permanent Residence Fee is billed at the rate in effect on the day you actually pay it, not the day you submitted the application. A file submitted on April 15, 2026 with the RPRF deferred and paid on May 1, 2026 owes the new $600 amount, not the prior figure.
Add language test fees (CAD$300-450), the panel-physician medical exam (CAD$200-450), translation and notarization for any non-English / non-French documents, and courier costs. A typical single-applicant AIP file in 2026 lands between CAD$2,000 and CAD$2,500 in direct IRCC, vendor, and document costs, before any consultant fees. Our full Canada immigration cost guide breaks down the line items by family size and program.
AIP Processing Time in 2026
The IRCC service standard for the Atlantic Immigration Program is 11 months from receipt of a complete application. As of April 2026, the posted processing time is 40 months, up from 33 months in March, with roughly 13,200 files in the inventory (Liberty Immigration April 2026 update). The size of the gap suggests IRCC is working through older, more complex files and is publishing a defensive figure to set candidate expectations rather than a forecast for a brand-new file.
Practical implications for an applicant planning a 2026 AIP file:
- Plan for 24 to 40 months from a complete IRCC submission to landing under current conditions. Newer files with no inadmissibility issues and prompt police certificates have moved faster than the headline number, but no candidate should plan around the 11-month service standard.
- File the AIP-specific two-year employer-specific work permit at the same time. Working through processing keeps the household earning and the candidate inside Canada, which simplifies the medical and biometrics steps.
- Apply for an open work permit for an accompanying spouse or common-law partner. That second income matters across a multi-year processing window.
- Front-load police certificates from slow-issuing countries. A police certificate from a country that takes 4 to 6 months to issue is one of the most common reasons a file slips well past the published time.
Atlantic Immigration Program vs. Express Entry
Many candidates qualify for both the AIP and Express Entry. The right choice depends on the strength of the job offer and the candidate’s CRS score.
| Factor | Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) | Express Entry (FSW / CEC / FST) |
|---|---|---|
| Selection model | Employer-driven. No CRS, no draws. | Points-based. CRS draws every two weeks. |
| Job offer required | Yes. Designated Atlantic employer. | No (FSW), but worth 50-200 CRS points. |
| Minimum work experience | 1,560 hours in past 5 years (or none for Atlantic graduates) | 1,560 hours in past 3 years (CEC) or 10 years (FSW) |
| Language threshold | CLB 5 (TEER 0-3) or CLB 4 (TEER 4) | CLB 7 (FSW, CEC TEER 0/1) or CLB 5 (CEC TEER 2/3) |
| Education threshold | High school diploma equivalent (TEER 2-4) | One-year Canadian post-secondary credential or assessed foreign equivalent |
| Settlement funds | Required unless already working in Canada | Required for FSW / FST; not for CEC |
| Geographic restriction | Must intend to settle in NL, NS, PEI, or NB | Outside Quebec |
| Service standard | 11 months | 6 months |
| Posted processing time (April 2026) | 40 months | 7 months (CEC) |
| Best fit | Candidates with a designated job offer in Atlantic Canada and lower CLB scores | High-CRS candidates anywhere in the world |
Candidates whose Express Entry CRS sits in the high 400s and who can land a designated AIP offer should run both files, since the same work-experience claim can support both pathways. Candidates whose CRS falls below 460 and who do not have a Provincial Nominee Program nomination route should treat the AIP as the strongest realistic federal alternative, paired with our pillar on the Canadian Experience Class for the Express Entry comparison.
Common AIP Mistakes That Cause Refusals
Three patterns produce most AIP refusals. They are all preventable.
- Accepting a job offer from a non-designated employer. A great Atlantic job from an employer that has not gone through the provincial designation process does not anchor an AIP application. Verify the employer’s designation status with the province before signing.
- Misclassifying the NOC code. Claiming a TEER 0 or 1 occupation when the duties only stretch to TEER 2 or 3 invites IRCC to demand additional documentation and frequently leads to a procedural fairness letter. Match the NOC duties from noc.esdc.gc.ca line by line to the offer letter and to the employer’s reference letter.
- Submitting a generic settlement plan. A one-page plan that does not address the candidate’s actual housing, schooling, language, and transportation needs gets bounced at the provincial endorsement stage. Work with the SPO until the plan reflects the household, not a template.
Critical: If your education was earned outside Canada and the ECA is more than five years old on the day IRCC receives the application, the application is incomplete. Re-run the ECA before filing if the original is past four-and-a-half years old.
A fourth, less common refusal trigger: the candidate’s settlement funds drop below the IRCC minimum between the date of the original bank letter and the date IRCC requests an updated proof. Keep funds liquid and accessible until landing; transferring them out for a property purchase or a business investment mid-application is a documented refusal pattern.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are AIPP requirements still valid?
No. The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) closed to new applications on March 5, 2022. The permanent Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) replaced it on March 6, 2022. AIPP requirements as a standalone program no longer exist; the AIP is the program that grants permanent residence in the four Atlantic provinces today, and most readers searching for “AIPP requirements” are asking about the AIP rules.
What replaced the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program?
The permanent Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) replaced the AIPP on March 6, 2022. The permanent program kept the four Atlantic provinces, the designated-employer model, and the LMIA-exempt offer structure but consolidated the three former AIPP streams into one TEER-based pathway under NOC 2021. The application forms, the language thresholds, and the document checklist are all AIP-specific.
What CLB do I need for the Atlantic Immigration Program?
You need Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in all four abilities (speaking, listening, reading, writing) for a job offer at NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. You need CLB 4 in all four abilities for a TEER 4 job. IRCC accepts IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada, and TCF Canada. Test results must be less than two years old when IRCC receives the application.
How many hours of work experience do I need for the AIP?
Skilled-worker candidates need 1,560 hours of paid work in the past five years, accumulated over a continuous twelve-month period. Both full-time and part-time hours count if they meet the totals. Self-employment, unpaid internships, and volunteer hours are not eligible. International graduates from a recognized Atlantic Canadian post-secondary institution do not need any work experience to qualify.
Do international graduates need work experience for the AIP?
No. International graduates qualify without work experience if they hold a degree, diploma, or certificate from a publicly funded post-secondary institution in one of the four Atlantic provinces (program length two years or more), they lived 16 of the prior 24 months in Atlantic Canada before graduation, and they held a valid study permit through the program. The same CLB 5 / CLB 4 language thresholds apply by TEER level.
What is a designated employer under the Atlantic Immigration Program?
A designated employer is an employer in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or New Brunswick that has been approved by the provincial government to use the AIP as a hiring pathway. Designation is free for the employer but requires a written commitment to settlement support. A job offer from a non-designated employer does not anchor an AIP application.
How much money do I need to settle in Atlantic Canada under the AIP?
The minimum settlement funds for a single applicant in 2026 are CAD$3,815, rising on a sliding scale to CAD$10,098 for a family of seven and CAD$1,028 per additional family member. The amounts come from IRCC’s July 29, 2025 schedule, which remained in effect in April 2026. Applicants already living in Canada on a valid work permit do not need to show settlement funds.
How long does AIP processing take in 2026?
The IRCC service standard for the Atlantic Immigration Program is 11 months. As of April 2026, the posted processing time is 40 months, up from 33 months in March. Roughly 13,200 files are in the IRCC inventory. The high posted figure reflects IRCC working through older, more complex files; new files with clean documentation may move faster than the headline number.
How much does the AIP cost in 2026?
A single principal applicant pays CAD$1,590 in IRCC fees (CAD$990 processing plus CAD$600 RPRF) under the schedule that took effect April 30, 2026. A spouse or common-law partner adds CAD$1,590, and a dependent child adds CAD$270. Biometrics are CAD$85 individual or CAD$170 family. Add language tests, the medical exam, ECA, and document costs for a total of roughly CAD$2,000-2,500 for a single file.
Can I apply for the AIP from outside Canada?
Yes. The provincial endorsement and the federal application can both be submitted from outside Canada. The job offer still has to come from a designated Atlantic employer, and the candidate still has to intend to live in the endorsing province after landing. Candidates who file from outside Canada can apply for the AIP-specific two-year employer-specific work permit to enter the province and start the job before final IRCC approval.
Can I get a work permit while my AIP application is processed?
Yes. The AIP includes an optional employer-specific work permit valid up to 24 months. The candidate has to have an Endorsement Certificate, a confirmed designated job offer, and the language and education documentation IRCC requires under the program. The work permit is tied to the designated employer; changing employers usually requires a new permit application.
Does my spouse get a work permit under the AIP?
Yes. A spouse or common-law partner accompanying the principal applicant can apply for an open work permit valid for the same period as the principal applicant’s AIP-specific work permit. The open work permit lets the spouse work for any Canadian employer in any role, which is useful when the principal applicant’s job is in a smaller Atlantic community and the spouse needs flexibility.
What is the difference between the AIP and Express Entry?
The AIP is employer-driven and runs without a Comprehensive Ranking System; you apply when your provincial endorsement is in hand. Express Entry is points-driven and runs draws every two weeks, with the Canadian Experience Class clearing CRS 507-515 in 2026. The AIP has lower language and education thresholds (CLB 5, high school equivalent for TEER 2-4) than the Federal Skilled Worker stream (CLB 7, post-secondary credential).
Can I move to a different province after landing through the AIP?
Yes, but the program asks every applicant to commit at endorsement to settling in the endorsing Atlantic province. Mobility rights under the Canadian Charter still apply once you land, so you can legally move. IRCC and the provinces do track post-landing residency, and a candidate who applied to one Atlantic province with no genuine intent to settle there risks misrepresentation findings. Treat the commitment seriously at application time.