AIP EMPLOYER DESIGNATION
Atlantic Immigration Program: Employer Designation
Employers in Atlantic Canada who wish to hire foreign talent through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) must first receive employer designation.
The AIP is an immigration program, introduced in 2017 as a pilot, became a permanent program in 2021. It allows eligible skilled workers, intermediate level workers, and international graduates to become permanent residents of Canada and immigrate to one of the Atlantic provinces, namely Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
All programs under the AIP are employer-driven, meaning that applicants require a job offer in order to satisfy the criteria. As such, local employers play a big role in the process.
There is no Labour Market Impact Assessment process under the AIP. However, employers must still follow a few steps in order to hire through this program.
Under the AIP, employers also work with settlement service provider organizations in their province. This will help newcomers settle and integrate in Canada.
The employer designation process and settlement service provider organizations are different for each province:
In all cases, the employer must send the job offer, the settlement plan for each adult family member, and an endorsement application to the province for review. If the province approves the application, they will send the applicant/candidate an endorsement letter. This letter must be included with the immigration application.
Nova Scotia AIP employer requirements
Employers in Nova Scotia looking to fill persistent labour gaps through the AIP must first be approved for eligibility by being designatedand then endorsed by the province.
To become designated, an employer must:
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Have a business operating in good standing;
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Provide information on labour needs; and
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Commit to working with a service provider organization on settlement and retention
To become endorsed, an employer must:
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Demonstrate efforts to hire locally have not been successful;
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Recruit a foreign worker;
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Provide a valid, full-time, non-seasonal job offer co-signed with the foreign worker; and
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Provide an individualized settlement plan co-signed with the foreign worker.
Employers must also work with a settlement service provider in the province. See below for a list of currently available providers.
New Brunswick AIP employer requirements
Employers in New Brunswick interested in participating in the AIP must meet the following designation criteria:
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The employer wants to hire full-time, non-seasonal international candidates;
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The employer and their business are well-established and in good standing; and
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The employer is committed to meet the settlement needs of international candidate(s) and accompanying family members.
Prince Edward Island AIP employer requirements
Employers in PEI interested in participating in the AIP must meet the following designation criteria.
The employer must:
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Want to hire full-time, non-seasonal international candidates;
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Be in good standing with provincial and federal standards and legislation;
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Demonstrate preparedness to receive and meet the settlement needs of international candidate(s) and accompanying family members, and agree to do so; and
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Understand and agree to the reporting requirements for the program.
The Employer Designation Application Form must be completed before you can apply for endorsement of a foreign national under the Atlantic Immigration Program. Designated employers are eligible to apply for endorsement of a foreign national they wish to hire.
New Foundland & Labrador AIP employer requirements
Designation is the first step for employers in Newfoundland and Labrador interested in participating in the AIP. The designation process is designed to confirm that:
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The AIP is the immigration program best suited to address the employer’s needs;
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The employer wants to hire full-time, non-seasonal international candidates;
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The employer and their business is established and in good standing as per the program guidelines;
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The employer has demonstrated their preparedness to receive and meet the settlement needs of international candidate(s) and accompanying family members, and has agreed to do so; and,
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The employer understands and agrees to the reporting requirements for the program.