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October 2026

Atlantic Immigration Program 2026–2027: Best Jobs in Healthcare and Trades

Atlantic Immigration Program 2026–2027: Best Jobs in Healthcare and Trades

No LMIA, no Express Entry points race. The Atlantic Immigration Program connects skilled workers directly with employers in Canada's four Atlantic provinces. Here's who qualifies.

What is the Atlantic Immigration Program, and why is it worth considering?

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a permanent federal program built for one purpose: helping employers in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador hire workers for jobs they can't fill locally. If you get a job offer from an approved employer in one of these provinces, this becomes one of the most direct routes to permanent residence in Canada.

Why it stands out:

  • No LMIA required. The province pre-approves ("designates") the employer, so there's no separate labour market approval needed for your specific hire.

  • No competitive points system. Unlike Express Entry, you don't compete against other candidates by score — if you meet the requirements and have a valid job offer, you can apply. But each province has a limited number of endorsements, and New Brunswick now picks candidates from a monthly pool.

  • Lower language and education bar for many roles, especially in trades and support-level healthcare jobs.

  • Provinces are prioritizing healthcare, education, construction trades, and French speakers in 2026 — all areas with genuine, ongoing demand.

  • A clear settlement plan is built into the process, so you have real support adjusting to life in a new province.

One honest note on hospitality roles: access to AIP for hospitality jobs has narrowed in 2026. Since February 3, 2026, New Brunswick no longer endorses most accommodation and food service jobs (such as cooks, chefs and restaurant managers), and only endorses people living outside Canada through government-led recruitment in healthcare, education and construction trades. Nova Scotia has paused endorsements for some food service jobs, such as food service supervisors and kitchen helpers. Rules in Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador also change often, so confirm current provincial rules before counting on this path.

Eligibility

See who qualifies

To qualify, you generally need:

  • A valid, full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated employer in one of the four Atlantic provinces

    • TEER 0–3 jobs: offer must last at least 1 year after you become a permanent resident

    • TEER 4 jobs: offer must be permanent, with no end date

  • At least 1,560 hours (about 1 year) of qualifying work experience in the last 5 years — waived for recent graduates of a recognized Atlantic Canada school (you need a program of at least 2 years, to have lived in the region for at least 16 of the last 24 months before graduating, and to apply within 2 years of graduating)

  • Language requirements, which depend on the job level:

    • TEER 0/1 (management, professional): CLB 5, plus 1 year of post-secondary education or higher

    • TEER 2/3 (technical, skilled trades): CLB 5, plus a Canadian high school diploma (or equivalent)

    • TEER 4 (entry-level support roles): CLB 4, plus a Canadian high school diploma (or equivalent)

  • Enough settlement funds, unless you're already living and working in Canada on a valid work permit

  • A completed settlement plan, done with a local settlement service provider

  • Provincial endorsement confirming the employer, job offer, and your eligibility all meet program standards

Qualifications

See the best-fit jobs

Strong fits for this program in 2026 include:

  • Healthcare — nurses, personal support workers, nurse aides, and related support roles

  • Skilled trades — electricians, plumbers, construction workers, and related technical trades

  • Early childhood education — a consistently in-demand category across the region

  • French-speaking candidates — especially valued in New Brunswick, Canada's only officially bilingual province

If you're an international graduate from a recognized Atlantic Canada institution, you get a major advantage: the 1-year work experience requirement is waived, as long as you meet the graduate conditions above.

Documents

See the document checklist

  • Valid passport

  • Signed job offer letter from a designated employer

  • Language test results matching your job's TEER level

  • Proof of education (diploma, degree, or credential assessment if earned outside Canada)

  • Proof of work experience, unless waived as an Atlantic graduate

  • Settlement plan confirmation

  • Proof of funds, unless you're already living and working in Canada on a valid work permit

  • Police certificates from each country you've lived in for 6+ months since age 18

  • Medical exam from an IRCC-approved doctor

How to Apply

  1. Confirm your sector and province — check that your occupation is currently open for AIP endorsement in the province you're targeting, especially if you're in hospitality.

  2. Secure a job offer from an employer officially designated by that province.

  3. Complete your settlement plan with a recognized settlement service provider.

  4. Apply for provincial endorsement, confirming the employer, job, and your eligibility.

  5. Submit your permanent residence application to IRCC once endorsed.

Provincial rules under this program shift often — what's open in one province may be paused in another. The fastest way to know exactly where you stand, and which Atlantic province currently matches your job and background, is to check with our chatbot.

[Check your eligibility for the Atlantic Immigration Program now →]