Atlantic International Graduate Program
Atlantic
International Graduate Program (AIGP)
The Atlantic International Graduate Program (AIGP) is part of the Atlantic Immigration Program. It allows graduates to submit an application for permanent residence without first having to obtain work experience.
Through the AIGP, eligible foreign workers with a job offer from an employer in Atlantic Canada can submit an application for Canadian permanent residence. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aims to process 80 percent of applications within six months.
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Table of Contents
Job Offer
The AIGP is an employer-driven program, and therefore all applicants are required to obtain a valid job offer.
Applicants to the AIGP must demonstrate that they have a job offer that is:
- from a designated employer in one of the four Atlantic provinces;
- for full-time employment for at least one year;
- non-seasonal;
- skilled (i.e. in a managerial, professional, or technical/trades position at skill type 0, A or, B of the National Occupational Classification [NOC]); and
- supported by a provincial certificate of endorsement from the province that indicates that the job offer is genuine and that a needs assessment has been completed and a settlement plan is in place for the applicant and each member of the family.
Employers in the Atlantic region can review designation requirements on our AIPP Employer Designation page.
Applicants to AIGP must demonstrate that they:
Education
- obtained a degree, diploma, certificate or trade or apprenticeship credential following completion of a post-secondary education program of at least two years from a recognized publicly-funded institution in Atlantic Canada (i.e. in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador);
- were enrolled as a full-time student in Canada for a minimum of two years;
- lived in either Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador for at least 16 months within the 24-month period before their credential was granted; and
- had valid or legal temporary resident status throughout their stay in Canada and had authorization for any work, study or training they engaged in while in Canada.
IRCC states that the educational credential must have been obtained within 24 months of the date on the application for permanent residence.
Institution | Province |
|---|---|
Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick | New Brunswick |
Maritime College of Forest Technology | New Brunswick |
Mount Allison University | New Brunswick |
New Brunswick College of Craft and Design | New Brunswick |
New Brunswick Community College | New Brunswick |
Saint Thomas University | New Brunswick |
Université de Moncton | New Brunswick |
University of New Brunswick & University of New Brunswick Saint Jean | New Brunswick |
College of the North Atlantic | Newfoundland |
Memorial University of Newfoundland | Newfoundland |
Acadia University | Nova Scotia |
Atlantic School of Theology | Nova Scotia |
Cape Breton University | Nova Scotia |
Dalhousie University | Nova Scotia |
Mount Saint Vincent University | Nova Scotia |
Nova Scotia College of Art and Design | Nova Scotia |
Nova Scotia Community College | Nova Scotia |
Saint Francis Xavier University | Nova Scotia |
Saint Mary’s University | Nova Scotia |
Université Sainte-Anne | Nova Scotia |
University of Kings College | Nova Scotia |
Collège de l’Île | Prince Edward Island |
Holland College | Prince Edward Island |
University of Prince Edward Island | Prince Edward Island |
Language Ability
Applicants to the AIGP must prove language ability of at least fluent basic level in either English or French in order to apply to the program. This is equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4. To find out how this corresponds with the standardized language tests recognized by IRCC for this program, use the Canada Immigration Language Converter.
The following language tests are approved for the AIGP:
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) — General test only.
- CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) — General test only.
- TEF (Test d’évaluation de français).
- Test de connaissance du français (TCF Canada)
Potential applicants may note that the language threshold for this program is lower than for many other Canadian economic immigration programs, including the programs managed under the Express Entry system. Moreover, because there is no points system for the AIGP, once a potential applicant has proven the required language ability, there is no additional incentive — with respect to applying to the AIGP, at least — in re-taking a language test.
Language test results must be less than two years old at the time the application is submitted.
Settlement Funds
The required settlement funds must be equal to or greater than the sums listed below for each family size.
Number of family members (including those supported by the applicant, even if they are not included on the application) | Funds required |
|---|---|
1 | $3,167 |
2 | $3,943 |
3 | $4,847 |
4 | $5,885 |
5 | $6,675 |
6 | $7,528 |
7 or more | $8,381 |
Applicants must show that they have enough money to support themselves and their family member, if applicable, after landing in Canada unless they are working in Canada under a valid work permit.
These funds cannot be borrowed from another person.
Provincial Endorsement
Applicants must be endorsed by an Atlantic province in order for the application to be complete and accepted by IRCC.
An endorsement letter is issued by the province to persons who have been endorsed. Applicants should submit a copy of this letter with their application for permanent residence submitted to IRCC.
All endorsements are valid for six months after the date of issuance, and extensions are not permitted under these programs. The application for permanent residence must be submitted before the expiry date of the endorsement letter.