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Hiring through the

Atlantic Immigration Program

About the Program

• The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) assists in hiring qualified candidates for job positions which have been challenging to fill.
  
• Candidates can be from overseas or residing in Canada as temporary residents.
  
• To offer a job to a candidate, you must first obtain designation from the relevant Atlantic province’s government.
  
• Following the job offer acceptance, both you and the candidate must complete specific steps.
  
• If all requirements are met, the candidate can apply for permanent resident status in Canada.
  

About the Designation

• To make a job offer to hire a candidate, you must obtain designation from the Atlantic province’s government where the candidate will work.
  
• Being ‘designated’ is the authorization to hire candidates through the Atlantic Immigration Program.
  
• The responsibility for designating employers lies with the provinces.
  
• To be designated, your organization must:
  
1. not be in violation of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) or the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR)
   
2. be in good standing and comply with employment standards and occupational health and safety legislation
   
3. not recruit or hire workers for the purpose of establishing a pool of candidates that can be later transferred or contracted out to separate businesses for staffing purposes.
   
4. have been in continuous, active operation under the same management for at least 2 years in 1 of the Atlantic provinces, or be able to show continuous, active operation in another location with confirmation of approval from the province in which you’re applying for designation.
   
5. work with a settlement service provider organization to help your candidates get settlement services.
   
6. commit to taking the free onboarding training
   
7. commit to taking the free intercultural competency training, unless you’re exempted by the province
   

Application to the Province to Become Designated

• One application for designation covers all candidates; no need to apply for each candidate separately.
  
• You can apply for designation before finding a candidate.
  
• Candidates can only be hired under the Atlantic Immigration Program if they work in an Atlantic Province.
  
• Upon designation, you’ll receive a Confirmation of Designation from the province.
  
• Assistance in navigating the process is available through our Employment Links team.
  

Required Training

• As an employer with designation status, you are required to finish two training programs prior to submitting your initial endorsement. These courses are designed to assist you in understanding and successfully navigating the various stages of the Atlantic Immigration Program.
  
• 1. Onboarding training
  
• 2. Intercultural competency training
  

Find a Candidate

• With designation, you can employ skilled workers and international students who have completed their education at a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada.
  
• The Atlantic Immigration Program does not facilitate the matching of candidates with jobs. Candidates can be self-discovered or may reach out to you independently.
  

Meet the Requirements

• The Atlantic Immigration Program has specific prerequisites for hiring candidates and you must ensure your job offer and candidates meet these requirements.
  
• Job offer criteria:
  
1. Full-time
   
2. Non-seasonal
   
3. Minimum duration of one year (measured from the candidate’s permanent resident status) if the job falls under NOC 2021 categories TEER 0,1,2, or 3.
   
4. Must be a permanent position if the job falls under NOC 2021 category TEER 4.
   

Candidate Requirements,

Work Experience

• Over the past five years, you should have accumulated a minimum of 1,560 working hours, equivalent to a year’s worth of work at 30 hours per week.
  
• Include hours worked in both part-time and full-time roles.
  
• Only consider paid work hours; volunteering and unpaid internships are not included.
  
• Self-employment hours should not be included in the count.
  
• The hours counted should be accrued over a period of at least 12 months.
  
• Satisfy the language requirements, which vary between CBL 4 or 5 depending on the specific position.
  

Settlement Funds

• Sufficient financial resources are required to support both yourself and your family upon arrival in Canada, with the required amount determined by your family’s size.
  
• Your family size encompasses those you support, even if they aren’t accompanying you as immigrants.
  
• Find out specific financial requirements for your situation by visiting the official; government website through this provided link.
  
• If you are presently residing and employed in Canada with a valid work permit, there is no obligation to demonstrate proof of funds.
  

Make a Job Offer

• When you possess both a candidate and a job that align with the program’s criteria, extend the job offer to the candidate using the specified form.
  

Settlement Plan

• Collaborate with a provincial settlement service provider organization to assist your newly arrived employees and their families.
  
• These organizations can conduct a needs and assets assessment for your candidate, leading to the development of a settlement plan.
  
• The candidate with provide you with a copy of the settlement plan, which is essential for obtaining endorsement.
  

Submit an Endorsement Application to the Province

• Before the candidate can seek permanent residence, the province must endorse your job offer, and some key points to consider include:
  
• Endorsement is under the province’s jurisdiction.
  
• The endorsement application necessitates demonstrating:
  
• Inability to fill the job position locally.
  
• Job offer compliance with program requirements.
  
• Inclusion of the settlement plan for the candidate and their accompanying family members.
  
• Requesting a referral letter from provincial government during endorsement application.
  
• The candidate must incorporate the referral letter when applying for a temporary work permit.
  
• Provincial endorsement application forms will provide guidance on submitting this information, and additional documentation may be requested by the province.
  
• Upon successful endorsement of the job offer by the province, the candidate will receive a Certificate of Endorsement. With this certificate, the candidate can proceed with the permanent residence application.
  

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