Atlantic Canada immigration has gained immense popularity among Canadian newcomers. Four Canadian provinces, including Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Labrador, form Atlantic Canada.
Atlantic Canada immigration alternatives
According to the latest Census, the percentage of newcomers settling in Canada multiplied at least thrice over the past several years. Moreover, Canadian newcomers who prefer to settle in Atlantic Canada have increased from 1.2 percent in 2006 to 3.5 percent in 2021. This is an estimate of more than 15 years.
Individuals interested in moving to Atlantic Canada have access to the following immigration paths:
Atlantic Immigration Program
The concept of the Atlantic Immigration Program officially came out on January 1, 2022. AIP enables foreign nationals with an available employment offer in Atlantic Canada to remain exempt from the LMIA process. Moreover, once the candidate accepts the employment offer, the employer is liable to connect the candidate to a settlement service provider, which is a designated organization. Doing so will help the employees develop a settlement plan and undergo a needs assessment.
Under this program, employers will help newcomers in their integration into Canada in the long run. Apart from this, it will also provide an innovative career pathway for Canadian immigrants. Additionally, when immigrants reach Canada, they would also reach the settlement through AIP.
Canadian immigration application process through AIP
The application process for Canadian immigration through AIP can be done through the following alternatives. They’re as follows:
Provincial Nominee Programs
In total, eleven Canadian provinces function their separate Provincial Nominee Programs, excluding Nunavut and Quebec. These PNPs enable provinces or territories to choose foreign nationals who might support in combating the labor market requirements of the provinces or territories.
Atlantic Canada is an outcome of the four Canadian provinces, and the PNP categories for AIP comprise the following-
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program
The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program comprises four streams, including the Express Entry stream, Business Immigration stream, Skilled Worker stream, and Strategic Initiative stream.
Let’s look at what each stream has to offer.
- Express Entry Stream– The Express Entry stream is most appropriate for foreign nationals who can support New Brunswick to meet particular demographic and labor market requirements and objectives.
- Skilled Workers Stream– The Skilled Workers Stream urges candidates to possess a permanent and full-time employment offer.
- Business Immigration Stream– The Business Immigration Stream’s applicants must demonstrate serious plans to actively own and manage a business.
- Strategic Initiative Stream– Applicants under the Strategic Initiative Stream must demonstrate considerable work experience, skills, and education. They must prove their potential in terms of contributing to the province. Moreover, it applies to individuals who seek to stay or work permanently in New Brunswick.
Newfoundland and Labrador PNP
The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program comprises the following five streams:
- Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker– This stream apply to foreign nationals who have an existing Express Entry profile in the federal pool among other competing candidates. They must also have a valid employment offer.
- Skilled Worker Category– The Skilled Worker category under Newfoundland and Labrador PNP applies to skilled workers holding an employment offer. Moreover, this category also caters to individuals already staying in Newfoundland and Labrador with a valid work permit.
- International Graduates Category– This category of International Graduates applies to freshly graduated students who possess a Post-Graduate Work Permit and an employment offer.
- International Graduate Entrepreneur Category- This stream applies to post-secondary institution graduates in NL who aspire to establish a business, hold co-ownership, or run an existing one.
Nova Scotia Nominee Program
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program comprises the following nine pathways:
- Nova Scotia Experience– The stream of Nova Scotia Experience doesn’t require an employment offer but applies to those with an active Express Entry profile in the pool.
- Nova Scotia Labour Priorities– The stream of Nova Scotia Labour Priorities applies to individuals holding an active and valid Express Entry profile. Additionally, applicants must display a letter of interest from NSOI regarding their Express Entry profile.
- Nova Scotia Labour Priorities for Physicians– This stream’s applicants will have to present a letter of interest from NSOI, along with a working and authentic profile under Express Entry. Besides this, they must also show a job letter from the province’s Health Authority or IWK Health Centre. They must demonstrate experience as family physicians, general practitioners, and specialist physicians.
Furthermore, at least six categories of individuals will have access to separate designated streams under the NSNP streams. They’re as follows:
- Skilled Workers– The first group is skilled workers between the age group of 21 and 55. They must display a valid, full-time, and permanent job letter under a provincial employer.
- In-demand occupation workers– The second group of people are those already working in occupations considered to be in high demand in Nova Scotia.
- International Graduates– The third category is international graduates who are already working in high-demand occupations in the province.
- Entrepreneurs– The fourth group of individuals belongs to Entrepreneurs aged 21 years and also hold a net worth of $600,000 in terms of business and personal assets.
- International Graduate Entrepreneurs– Individuals in the fifth category must qualify with a full-time post-secondary diploma or degree in Nova Scotia of at least two years duration. Additionally, they must reside full-time in Nova Scotia during the study period.
- Physicians– The sixth category of individuals applies to family physicians, general practitioners, or specialist physicians. Applicants will need to fulfill all requirements to obtain a license in Nova Scotia. Besides this, they must also have a signed letter from Nova Scotia Health Authority.
Atlantic Canada immigration through Prince Edward Island PNP
The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program focuses on the following three streams-
- PEI PNP Express Entry– This stream applies to foreign nationals holding a valid Express Entry profile with IRCC.
- Labour Impact Category– The Labour Impact Category comprises an individual stream for International Graduates, Skilled Workers, and Critical Workers.
- Business Impact Category– The Business Impact Category applies to foreign nationals who aspire to make business investments in Prince Edward Island’s business.