Atlantic Immigration Program

The Atlantic Immigration Program is a federal immigration program that helps employers recruit skilled foreign workers and international graduates to meet labour needs.

This new employer-driven program builds on the success of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, which closed in 2021. Participants in the pilot program must reapply to use the permanent program.

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.

Eligibility

To participate in the Atlantic Immigration Program, employers must first be approved by being designated and then have their positions endorsed by the Province.

Once the employer’s positions are endorsed, foreign worker(s) identified by the employer can apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for permanent residency. The foreign worker can also get a temporary work permit while waiting for permanent residency.

How to Apply

Review the guides and resources listed below
Complete the online application form and include all required information

Applications for designation and endorsement must be submitted using the online system. Sample application forms below are not an accepted form of submission.

Apply Online

Process

1. Employer Designation

To become designated, an employer must:

Have a business operating in good standing
Provide information on labour needs
Commit to working with a service provider organization on settlement and retention

Employer Designation Guide
Changes – Designation Guide
Sample Designation Form
Use of a Representative (AIP 50 Form)

2. Employer Position Endorsement

To have a position endorsed, an employer must:

- Demonstrate that efforts to hire locally have been unsuccessful
- Recruit a foreign worker
- Provide a valid, full-time, non-seasonal job offer co-signed by the foreign worker
- Provide an individualized settlement plan co-signed by the foreign worker
- Complete mandatory onboarding training and, if required, intercultural competency training

Employer Endorsement Guide
Changes – Endorsement Guide
Sample Endorsement Form
IMM0157E Job Offer Form
Nova Scotia Employer Registration Certificate
Use of a Representative (AIP 50 Form)

3. Foreign Worker Immigration Application

To apply for permanent residency foreign workers must:

Have a valid endorsement certificate issued by the province
Foreign workers who require a work permit must have a work permit referral letter issued by the Province
Employers supporting work permit applications must register in the federal employer portal, submit the job offer and pay a compliance fee