The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates from a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada who want to work and live In New Brunswick. The program helps New Brunswick employers hire qualified candidates for jobs they haven’t been able to fill locally.
ELIGIBILITY
Employers facing shortages in the identified sectors below, must first become “designated” to have their positions “endorsed” by the Province.
Being “designated” means you can hire candidates under the Atlantic Immigration Program. The provinces are responsible for designating employers.
Eligible sectors
- Healthcare
- Business Service Centers
- Information Technology
- Hospitality- hotel and full-service restaurants
- Skilled Trades
- Forestry
- Education
- Public Service
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 may also receive a temporary work permit while waiting for permanent residency.
PROCESS
1. Employer Designation
To be designated, your organization must:
- not be in violation of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) or the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR)
- be in good standing and comply with employment standards and occupational health and safety legislation
- not recruit or hire workers for the purpose of establishing a pool of candidates that can be later transferred or contracted out to separate businesses for staffing purposes
- have been in continuous, active operation under the same management for at least 2 years in 1 of the Atlantic provinces, or be able to show continuous, active operation in another location with confirmation of approval from the province in which you’re applying for designation
- work with a New Brunswick settlement service provider organization to help your candidates get settlement services
- commit to taking the onboarding training
- commit to taking the intercultural competency training, unless you’re exempted by the province. A New Brunswick workforce attraction officer will inform you if you need to take the training during the intake conversation.
Atlantic Immigration Program – New Brunswick Employer Designation Guidelines
Expression of Interest for the Atlantic Immigration Program Form – New Brunswick Employers
*A fillable Designation application form will be provided to eligible employers once the Expression of Interest is reviewed by the Province.
Atlantic Immigration Program – New Brunswick Employer Designation Application Form – SAMPLE
2. Employer Position Endorsement
To have a position endorsed, an employer must:
- Receive Designation from New Brunswick
- 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 through one of New Brunswick’s settlement service providers, co-signed by the foreign worker
- Complete mandatory onboarding training;
- Complete intercultural competency training, unless exempted by the province.
3. Foreign Worker Immigration Application
To apply for permanent residency foreign workers must:
- Have a valid endorsement certificate issued by New Brunswick.
- 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.
CONTACT INFORMATION
To learn more about the Atlantic Immigration Program, please contact our Team at AIP-PICA@gnb.ca
506-453-3981
We’re here to help.