There are several ways through which you can migrate to Canada. The most common path is the express entry. Also, there are other paths like the student route and the startup visa program. This article will focus on how to migrate to Canada through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot program.
1.0 What is the Atlantic Immigration Pilot?
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates who want to work and live in one of Canada’s 4 Atlantic Provinces. This is an employer-driven program designed to help employers in Atlantic Canada hire qualified candidates for jobs they have been unable to fill locally.
To immigrate to Atlantic Canada through the pilot, you must be a recent graduate of a publicly funded institution in Atlantic Canada or a skilled worker who meets the program requirements. It doesn’t matter whether you are living abroad or already in Canada temporarily, you must receive a job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada to participate in the pilot program.
2.0 Requirements for the program?
There are 3 programs in the pilot that employers can hire you through. You may qualify for more than 1 program, but you can only apply through 1. For all 3 programs, you have to show proof that you meet the language, education and work experience requirements and that you have enough money to support you and your family when you come to Canada.
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2.1 The Atlantic International Graduate Program
To qualify for this program, you need to meet the requirements below:
- have a degree, diploma or other credential from a publicly funded institution in an Atlantic province
- have lived in an Atlantic province for at least 16 months in the 2 years before getting your degree, diploma or credential
- take a language test to show you can communicate in English or French
- show you can support yourself and your family when you come to Canada
Work experience is not required for international graduates hired through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot. However, the employer must also meet certain requirements. For more information, read the full requirements for the Atlantic International Graduate Program.
2.2 The Atlantic High-Skilled Program
To qualify for this program, you need to meet the requirements below:
- have worked in a management, professional or technical/skilled job for at least a year
- have at least a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent education
- take a language test to show you can communicate in English or French
- show you can support yourself and your family when you come to Canada
In addition, the employer must also meet certain requirements. For more information, read the full requirements for the Atlantic High-Skilled Program.
2.3 Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program
To qualify for this program, you need to meet the requirements below:
- have worked in a job that requires a high school education and/or job-specific training for at least a year
- have at least a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent education
- take a language test to show you can communicate in English or French
- show you can support yourself and your family when you come to Canada
In addition, the employer must also meet certain requirements. For more information, read the full requirements for the Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program.
Aside the requirements for the different programs stated above, you must receive a job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada to participate in the pilot. For the list of designated employers participating in the pilot, check the provincial websites below:
When a designated employer offers you a job, you will receive an Offer of Employment to a Foreign National form [IMM 5650].
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3.0 Gather the documents for your permanent residence application
As with every other Canada immigration application, you need to submit some documents. So, you should get these documents early to avoid delays when you apply for your permanent residence in Atlantic Canada. You will find below the details of the documents you need.
3.1 Language
You must take a language test and send the results with your application. You must do this even if you studied in Canada.
3.2 Education
If you studied outside Canada, you need an Educational Credential Assessment report. This shows how your education compares to a Canadian one.
3.3 Proof of funds
When you arrive in Canada, you need enough money to support yourself and your family. So, you will need to a document that shows that you have enough fund. Find out how much money you should have when you arrive in Canada.
3.4 Other required documents
There are other documents you must include in your application. Each program has an application guide with a checklist of all the documents and forms you must submit. Use the checklist for the different program below to make sure you have all of the required documents:
You can start filling in your application now but don’t submit it until you have all of the required documents.
3.5 Get a settlement plan
In addition to getting a job offer from a designated employer, you need to get a settlement plan. The settlement plan will help you and your family adjust to your new home in Atlantic Canada. It will provide you with useful resources and contacts to help you feel welcome in your new community.
Whether you are in Canada or not, you must work with a settlement service provider organization in the region where you will be working. Your designated employer can help you find one. Once you have your settlement plan, give a copy to your employer and keep a copy for yourself. If you are not in Canada, bring the plan with you when you move to Canada.
3.6 Get your Certificate of Endorsement
After you have your settlement plan, the province must endorse your job offer. Your employer will handle this process. You should not submit your permanent residence application until you confirm with the employer that your offer has been endorsed. If the province endorses your job offer, you will get a Certificate of Endorsement in the mail. Include your endorsement certificate with your permanent residence application.
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4.0 Submit your application for permanent residence
The different program has its application process. So, choose the application package for the program you will be applying through below:
Each application package includes the instruction guide and all the forms you need to fill out, including the Atlantic Immigration Pilot documents below:
- Offer of Employment to a Foreign National
- Certificate of Endorsement
As part of the application process, you will need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) after you apply. So, find out where biometrics fits in the application process.
As a permanent residence applicant under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, you may be eligible for a 1-year work permit. The work permit lets you work while your permanent residence application is being processed. This work permit
- is only for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot
- is valid for 1 year
- only lets you work for the employer who offered you the job
Please note that you must send your permanent resident application within 90 days of submitting your temporary work permit application. Also, getting a temporary work permit does not automatically mean your application for your permanent residence application will be approved.
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