Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), Prince Edward Island (PEI), Nova Scotia (NS), and New Brunswick (NB) are the four provinces Atlantic Canada is made up of.
In the last decade and a half, the share of immigrants has nearly tripled according to Canada’s most recent census. There is an increment of 2.3% in the percentage of Canadian immigrants over the last 15 years, i.e., from 1.2% (2006) to 3.5% (2021).
Various Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) and Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) are a few possible paths of immigration to Canada.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Provincial Nominee Programs operated by 11 out of 13 provinces and territories, excluding Quebec and Nunavut, allow province/ territory to select foreign nationals who are suitable for addressing territorial and provincial labour market needs.
Different province or territory has different requirements for selecting an individual as follows:
Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Entry Program (NLPNP):
It has five streams:
Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker is for foreign nationals holding an existing valid job offer and an active Express Entry profile in the federal pool of eligible candidates. International Graduate Category, is for recent graduates who hold a valid job offer as well as Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). International Entrepreneur Category, is for people who want to start, purchase or co-manage a business after operating a business in NL. Only those candidates are eligible in this category who have operated a business for a year or so on a work permit in the province. International Graduate Entrepreneur Category is reserved for graduates of a post-secondary institution in NL that want to establish, co-own or run a business. Skilled Worker Category is for skilled individuals with a job offer including those who are already in NL with a work permit.
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP):
It has three streams:
PEI PNP Express Entry is for foreign nationals that have valid Express Entry profiles with IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada). Labour Impact Category is for Skilled Workers, Critical Workers, and International Graduates. Business Impact Category is for foreign internationals who want to invest in a business situated in PEI.
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP):
It has 9 different streams:
Nova Scotia Experience (Express Entry) is reserved for candidates having an active Express Entry Profile in the Federal Pool of eligible candidates. This stream does not require a job offer. Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities is reserved for candidates who do not just hold an active Express Entry Profile but also have received a Letter of Interest from NSOI (Nova Scotia Office of Immigration). Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians is reserved for candidates who apart from having an Express Entry profile and Letter of Interest from NSOI, also possess a job offer from Nova Scotia Health Authority or IWK Health Centre as a general practitioner, family physician, or a specialist physician. Skilled Workers is an NSNP stream reserved for candidates aged 21-55, have a permanent job offer from a provincial employer. International Graduates working in occupations deemed to be high demand in throughout Nova Scotia. Entrepreneurs, is a stream requiring a minimum of 21 years of age and a minimum of CAD $ 600000 of net business and personal assets. International Graduate Entrepreneurs, is reserved for immigrants who have done a full-time Nova Scotia post-secondary diploma or have a degree that is at least two years long, and they must have lived in NS full-time during their studies. People working in occupations deemed to be high in demand throughout the province of Nova Scotia. To apply through the Physicians stream, one must meet the requirements to be licensed in NS and have a signed approved opportunity with the Nova Scotia Health Authority or IWK Health Centre.
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP):
It has 4 streams:
Express Entry Stream is reserved for foreign nationals who are best suited to help the province meet its specific demographic and labour market needs/goals. Candidates have to hold a permanent, full-time job offer to apply through Skilled Workers Stream. If a candidate is planning to own and actively manage a business, Business Immigration Stream is reserved for him. Strategic initiative Stream is reserved for francophone immigrants, those who have skills, education, and work experience to contribute to the province and want to reside/work permanently in NB.
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
It is an immigration program where foreign nationals holding an existing job offer in Atlantic Canada are exempt from obtaining a labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). It was officially introduced on January 1, 2022. Once the candidate has accepted the job, the employer will connect the candidate with a designated settlement provider service organization for a needs assessment and the development of a settlement plan. Employer will also support the long-term integration of the newcomer and their family in Canada beyond providing a starting point in his/her career. This help will ensure that immigrants through AIP can reach their settlement upon arriving at their new home.
