Atlantic Immigration Program

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers and international graduates from a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada who want to work and live in one of Canada's four Atlantic provinces — New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador. The program helps employers hire qualified workers for jobs they cannot fill with the existing local workforce.

Information for PEI Employers

Participating employers must first be designated by the province in which they operate or where the candidate will be working.

As part of the designation process, employers are required to complete two training programs:

  • Onboarding training offered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
  • Intercultural competency training (ICT) offered by IRSA in greater Charlottetown and greater Summerside area in the English language

The onboarding training is offered online twice a month. Employers must sign up in advance on the IRCC website.

Employers in PEI outside of Charlottetown and Summerside can get the ICT through CBDC Community Navigators.

Francophone employers in PEI can get the ICT in French through CIF PEI.

More information | IRSA contacts

Information for Immigrants Applying for AIP

To participate in the program, an applicant may be living abroad or already in Canada as a temporary resident.

To be eligible for the program, applicants must:

  • have qualifying work experience (except international graduates of recognized post-secondary institutions in Atlantic Canada)
  • meet or exceed the educational requirements
  • meet or exceed the language requirements
  • show that they have enough money to support themselves and their family when they get to Canada (unless already living and working in Canada with a valid working permit as a temporary resident)

IRSA can provide settlement plans for AIP candidates once they have been hired by an AIP-designated employer in PEI.

More information | IRSA contacts