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The Atlantic Immigration Program: Your Path to Living and Working in Eastern Canada in 2025

Are you a skilled worker or international graduate seeking to live and work in Eastern Canada through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)? The AIP, a pathway to permanent residency in Canada’s Atlantic provinces—New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador—has been a game-changer for addressing labor shortages and boosting population growth. However, in 2025, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have paused new AIP applications due to reaching their allocation limits, while Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador may still accept applications.

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What Is the Atlantic Immigration Program?

The Atlantic Immigration Program is an employer-driven immigration pathway launched in 2017 to attract skilled workers and international graduates to Canada’s four Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Designed to fill labor shortages and support economic growth, the AIP has welcomed over 32,000 newcomers since its inception, with 6,000 annually in recent years. Unlike other programs requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), the AIP allows designated employers to hire foreign nationals directly, streamlining the process. In 2025, the program has paused new endorsement applications in New Brunswick (effective April 4, 2025) and Nova Scotia (for certain sectors like food services) due to high demand and limited allocations under the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan. This section explores the program’s goals and its impact on Eastern Canada.

Eligibility Criteria for the Atlantic Immigration Program

Although new applications are paused in some provinces, understanding the Atlantic Immigration Program’s eligibility criteria is crucial for existing applicants and those targeting open streams in Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador. To qualify in 2025, you must:

  • Job Offer: Secure a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated employer in an Atlantic province, aligned with National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4. For TEER 0–3, the job must last at least one year; for TEER 4, it must be permanent. Certain healthcare roles (e.g., NOC 33102 nurse aides) allow lower-skill job offers if you have experience in NOC 32101 (licensed practical nurses) or NOC 31301 (registered nurses).

  • Work Experience: Have at least 1,560 hours (30 hours/week for one year) of paid work experience in the last 5 years in a TEER 0–4 occupation, unless you’re an international graduate from an Atlantic Canadian institution. Hours can be from part-time or full-time jobs, inside or outside Canada, but must be legally authorized (e.g., via a work permit in Canada) and exclude self-employment or unpaid internships.

  • Education: For TEER 0 or 1 job offers, you need a one-year Canadian post-secondary credential or foreign equivalent (verified by an Educational Credential Assessment, ECA). For TEER 2–4, a Canadian high school diploma or foreign equivalent is required.

  • Language Proficiency: Achieve Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for TEER 0–3 or CLB 4 for TEER 4 in English or French, proven by tests like IELTS or TEF Canada (results less than 2 years old).

  • Settlement Funds: Show sufficient funds to support yourself and your family, unless working in Canada with a valid work permit. For example, a single applicant needs approximately CAD $3,943; a family of four needs CAD $10,110.

  • International Graduates: Graduates from a recognized Atlantic Canadian post-secondary institution (minimum 2-year program) are exempt from work experience requirements if they studied full-time, lived in an Atlantic province for 16 months in the 2 years before graduating, and held valid study/work permits.

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Farm and food workers, such as butchers (NOC 63201) or general farm workers (NOC 8431), are in demand, especially in agriculture-heavy regions like Prince Edward Island.

Why Did the AIP Pause in 2025?

The Atlantic Immigration Program paused new endorsement applications in New Brunswick (April 4, 2025) and Nova Scotia (for sectors like food services, NOC 62020) due to high application volumes and limited 2025 allocations under the Immigration Levels Plan. New Brunswick’s pause affects new designations and endorsements, but applications submitted before April 4, 2025, are still processed. Nova Scotia paused applications in the accommodation and food services sector (NAICS 72) as of April 17, 2024, reflecting regional capacity limits. Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador may still accept applications, but candidates should check provincial websites for updates. This closure mirrors the Agri-Food Pilot Program’s early closure on February 13, 2025, highlighting competitive immigration caps in 2025.

Alternative Immigration Pathways for Farm and Food Workers

With the Atlantic Immigration Program paused in some provinces, farm and food workers can explore alternative pathways to live and work in Eastern Canada or other regions in 2025. Here are five options:

  1. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Each Atlantic province offers PNP streams aligned with Express Entry or standalone applications. For example, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Priority Skills Stream targets agriculture workers (e.g., NOC 8431), requiring a job offer and CLB 4. Nova Scotia’s Occupations In-Demand Stream also supports farm workers, with salaries of CAD $45,000–$70,000.

  2. Express Entry (Category-Based Selection): In 2025, Express Entry prioritizes agriculture occupations like butchers (NOC 63201) in category-based draws. A job offer or Canadian work experience boosts your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, with processing times around 6–8 months.

  3. Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Launched in 2025, this pilot targets rural communities, including those in Atlantic Canada, and supports agriculture workers with job offers. It’s ideal for farm workers in regions like Prince Edward Island, offering salaries of CAD $50,000–$75,000.

  4. Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP): TFWP provides work permits for agriculture roles, allowing you to gain Canadian experience for future PNP or Express Entry applications. Employers in meat processing or greenhouse production may secure a two-year LMIA.

  5. Quebec’s Regular Skilled Worker Program: While not in Atlantic Canada, Quebec’s agriculture sector hires farm workers (e.g., NOC 8431) through Arrima, with salaries starting at CAD $50,000. A Certificate of Selection from Quebec (CSQ) leads to permanent residency.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Immigrating in 2025

Navigating the Atlantic Immigration Program (if still open in some provinces) or alternative pathways involves these steps:

  1. Check Eligibility: Use IRCC’s Come to Canada tool or consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) to match your skills (e.g., NOC 63201 for butchers) with open programs.

  2. Secure a Job Offer: Contact designated employers via provincial websites (e.g., New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island) or Job Bank for roles like farm workers or food processors.

  3. Obtain an ECA: If your education is from outside Canada, get an ECA from organizations like the University of Toronto’s CES (CAD $210).

  4. Prove Language Skills: Achieve CLB 4–5 via IELTS or TEF Canada (CAD $300). Results must be less than 2 years old.

  5. Submit an Application: For AIP (if open), obtain a provincial endorsement and apply for permanent residency (PR) with IRCC, including a settlement plan from a designated provider. For PNPs, submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via provincial portals. Express Entry requires a profile creation.

  6. Apply for a Work Permit (Optional): If urgent, apply for a temporary work permit with a provincial referral letter, committing to PR application within 90 days.

  7. Prepare Documents: Include job offer, ECA, language results, passport, and proof of funds. Processing times are 6–8 months for AIP, 6–12 months for PNPs, and 6–8 months for Express Entry.

Costs include application fees (CAD $1,365–$2,300), biometrics (CAD $85), and third-party fees (e.g., medical exams, CAD $200–$500).

Challenges and Tips for Success

Navigating immigration in 2025 presents challenges for farm and food workers:

  • Program Pauses: AIP pauses in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia limit options. Check Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador for open streams.

  • Job Offer Competition: Securing a designated employer’s job offer is critical. Use Job Bank or attend virtual job fairs hosted by provinces like New Brunswick.

  • Documentation Accuracy: Incomplete applications cause delays. Use IRCC checklists and consult an RCIC for accuracy.

  • Language Barriers: CLB 4–5 is achievable but requires preparation. Use Duolingo or local language schools to improve proficiency.

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Tips include networking on LinkedIn, targeting agriculture-heavy provinces, and applying early to avoid 2025 allocation caps.

Top Provinces for Farm and Food Workers

Despite AIP pauses, these Atlantic provinces offer opportunities in 2025:

  1. Prince Edward Island: Known for agriculture, PEI hires farm workers (NOC 8431) with salaries of CAD $45,000–$70,000 via PNP streams or AIP (if open).

  2. Newfoundland and Labrador: The Priority Skills Stream supports butchers and farm workers, with wages of CAD $50,000–$75,000.

  3. Nova Scotia: Despite pauses in food services, agriculture roles remain in demand, with salaries starting at CAD $45,000.

  4. New Brunswick: Post-pause, explore PNP streams for farm workers, offering CAD $50,000–$80,000.

Conclusion: Your Path to Eastern Canada in 2025

The Atlantic Immigration Program has been a vital pathway for farm and food workers to live and work in Eastern Canada, but 2025 pauses in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia shift focus to Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, or alternative programs like PNPs and Express Entry. By securing a job offer, meeting eligibility criteria, and preparing a complete application, you can achieve permanent residency and join Atlantic Canada’s thriving agriculture sector. Visit Canada.ca for official guidance or consult an RCIC for personalized support. Start your journey to Eastern Canada today