Migrate to Canada
ATLANTIC IMMIGRATION PILOT PROGRAM
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot is a fast-track immigration program that allows employers in Canada’s four Atlantic provinces — Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island — to hire foreign nationals for jobs they haven’t been able to fill locally.
Introduced in 2017, the federal government and its provincial government partners aim to welcome more than 7,000 newcomers and their families to the Atlantic Canada region by 2021 through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program.
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot is designed to welcome additional newcomers to the Atlantic Canada region to fill the needs of local employers and communities.
The three-year pilot program allows designated local employers to identify, recruit and retain global talent. The program also has the goals of supporting population growth, developing a skilled workforce, and increasing employment rates in the region.
The pilot program forms part of an overall Atlantic Growth Strategy that is focused on the following five priority areas:
- skilled workforce and immigration;
- innovation;
- clean growth and climate change;
- trade and investment; and
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot is an employer-driven program that facilitates the hiring of foreign workers. All principal applicants arriving in Canada under the pilot program must have a job offer from a designated employer and an individualized settlement plan for themselves and their family.
Once a designated employer finds a candidate who meets their employment needs and the program criteria, that employer will need to first offer them a job. Employers do not need to go through the process of obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under this program.
Once the candidate has accepted the job, the employer will connect the candidate with a designated settlement service provider organization for a needs assessment and to develop a settlement plan. Employers will also support the long-term integration of the new immigrant and his or her family, if applicable, so they can reach the goals of their settlement plan once they arrive in Canada.
Employers that need to fill a job vacancy quickly will have access to a temporary work permit, so that the candidate and his or her family can come to Canada as soon as possible. In order to obtain this work permit, candidates will need:
- a valid job offer;
- a letter from the province; and
- a commitment to apply for permanent residence within 90 days of the temporary work permit application.
Employers that would like to hire skilled immigrants under the pilot program must apply to the province(s) in order to receive designation. Employers with locations in multiple provinces will require a separate designation for each province. Employers must meet certain requirements, including a commitment to support the newcomer and his or her family as they integrate into their new life in Atlantic Canada.
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program has two programs for skilled workers:
- Atlantic High-Skilled Program (AHSP)
- Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program (AISP)
and one program for international student graduates:
- Atlantic International Graduate Program (AIGP)
The work experience, education, and job offer required will depend on whether the individual is applying as a worker or as an international student graduate. The other requirements are the same for both.
See the table below for a review of the requirements.
| Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program (AISP) | Atlantic High-Skilled Program (AHSP) | Atlantic International Graduate Program (AIGP)
|
Job offer from a designated employer | · Full time · Indeterminate · NOC 0, A, B or C
| · Full time · One-year contract · NOC 0, A or B
| · Full time · One-year contract · NOC 0, A, B or C
|
Skilled work experience | · One year in occupation related to job offer
| N/A
| |
Education | · Completion of at least high school · Educational Credential Assessment or Canadian credential is required
| · Two-year post-secondary diploma from a publicly funded learning institution in the Atlantic region, obtained within the 12 months before the submission of the application for permanent residence | |
Language | Level 4 of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) in English or the Niveau de compétencelinguistiqueCanadien in French
| ||
Provincial endorsement | Letter of endorsement
| ||
The Atlantic provinces have already been active in immigration over recent years, principally through the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Through these programs, the provinces have been able to welcome a wide range of skilled workers, graduates who have studied in Canada, and business immigrants such as entrepreneurs.
Since 2015, each Atlantic province has created at least one PNP stream aligned with the federal Express Entry system, allowing candidates in the Express Entry pool who are also eligible to immigrate through one of these streams to submit an application to immigrate to the given province.
Currently, the Atlantic PNP options include:
- Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
- New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
- Newfoundland And Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
- Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
Atlantic High-Skilled Program (AHSP)
The Atlantic High-Skilled Program (AHSP) is part of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP), a new Canadian immigration venture for 2017 and beyond.
Through this program, 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 (IRCC) aims to process 80 percent of applications within six months.
The AHSP is an employer-driven program, and therefore all applicants are required to obtain a valid job offer.
Applicants to the AHSP 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 the AHSP must demonstrate that they have obtained work experience for at least one year (1,560 hours total/30 hours per week), non-continuous, full-time or an equal amount in part-time, within the last three years. This work experience must be:
- paid work (i.e. volunteer work, unpaid internships do not count); and
- in a managerial, professional, or technical/trades position (NOC 0, A, or B).
Additional notes on work experience:
- Applicants must have carried out the activities listed in the lead statement of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) description and a substantial number of the main duties.
- Canadian experience must have been obtained while the foreign national was authorized to work in Canada as a temporary resident.
- Applicants do not have to be employed at the time they apply.
- Periods of self-employment will not be included when calculating the period of qualifying work experience.
- Work experience acquired during a period of study is allowed, as long as the work hours did not exceed what the applicant was authorized to do for that period.
Applicants to AHSP must demonstrate they have one of the following:
- a Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree; or
- a completed foreign educational credential.
For applicants with an education completed outside Canada, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is required in order to prove that the level of education is commensurate with Canadian standards. The ECA must be less than five years old the time the application is submitted.
Applicants to the AHSP 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 AHSP:
- 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 AHSP, once a potential applicant has proven the required language ability, there is no additional incentive — with respect to applying to the AHSP, 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.
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.
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.
Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program (AISP)
The Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program (AISP) is part of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP), a new Canadian immigration venture for 2017 and beyond.
Through the AISP, 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 (IRCC) aims to process 80 percent of applications within six months.
The AISP is an employer-driven program, and therefore all applicants are required to obtain a valid job offer.
Applicants to the AISP must demonstrate that they have a job offer that is:
- from a designated employer in one of the four Atlantic provinces;
- for full-time, indeterminate employment;
- non-seasonal;
- skilled or intermediate level (i.e. in a managerial, professional, technical/trades, or intermediate position at skill type 0, A, B, or C 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 the AISP must demonstrate that they have obtained work experience for at least one year (1,560 hours total/30 hours per week) within the last three years. This work experience may be non-continuous, full-time or part-time, but must add up to a total of 1,560 hours. This work experience must be:
- in one occupation (work with different employers is permitted);
- paid work (i.e. volunteer work, unpaid internships do not count); and
- in a NOC C level occupation.
Additional notes on work experience:
- Applicants can include work experience under skill level B obtained while working as a registered nurse (NOC 3012), registered psychiatric nurse (NOC 3012) and licensed practical nurse (NOC 3233). This experience can only be included if the applicant has a job offer as a nurse’s aide (NOC 3413), orderly (NOC 3413), patient services associate (NOC 3413) or home support worker (NOC 4412).
- Applicants must have carried out the activities listed in the lead statement of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) description and a substantial number of the main duties.
- Canadian experience must have been obtained while the foreign national was authorized to work in Canada as a temporary resident.
- Applicants do not have to be employed at the time they apply.
- Periods of self-employment will not be included when calculating the period of qualifying work experience.
- Work experience acquired during a period of study is allowed, as long as the work hours did not exceed what the applicant was authorized to do for that period.
Applicants to AISP must demonstrate they have one of the following:
- a Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree; or
- a completed foreign educational credential.
For applicants with an education completed outside Canada, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is required in order to prove that the level of education is commensurate with Canadian standards. The ECA must be less than five years old the time the application is submitted.
Applicants to the AISP 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 AISP:
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) — General test only.
- CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) — General test only.
- TEF (Test d’Evaluation Du 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 AISP, once a potential applicant has proven the required language ability, there is no additional incentive — with respect to applying to the AISP, 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.
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.
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.
Atlantic International Graduate Program (AIGP)
The Atlantic International Graduate Program (AIGP) is a unique immigration option for international graduates of eligible educational institutions in Atlantic Canada.
This program allows graduates to submit an application for permanent residence without first having to obtain work experience. The AIGP is part of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP), a new Canadian immigration venture for 2017 and beyond. 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 (IRCC) aims to process 80 percent of applications within six months.
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:
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program: Find a Designated Employer
Foreign workers interested in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) must receive a job offer from an employer designated by its respective provincial government to take part in the pilot.
The Government of Canada encourages foreign workers to ensure the employer has been officially designated under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot. All job offers from designated employers must be endorsed by the respective province before the foreign worker can apply for Canadian permanent resident status through the AIPP.
The Atlantic provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island (PEI), and New Brunswick have published their lists of designated employers under the AIPP.
Please note that designation under the AIPP does not mean an employer is actively recruiting foreign nationals nor does it imply that they intend to in the future.
Follow the links below for a list of AIPP-designated employers in each Atlantic province:
- Newfoundland and Labrador Designated Employers
- Nova Scotia Designated Employers
- Prince Edward Island Designated Employers
- New Brunswick Designated Employers
The provinces of Nova Scotia and PEI also encourage foreign job seekers to consult their respective employment pages for current job opportunities: Careers Nova Scotia and Work PEI.
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program: Employer Designation
Employers in Atlantic Canada who wish to hire foreign talent through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) must first receive employer designation.
The AIPP is an immigration pilot program, introduced in 2017. It allows eligible skilled workers, intermediate level workers, and international graduates to become permanent residents of Canada and immigrate to one of the Atlantic provinces, namely Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. All programs under the AIPP are employer-driven, meaning that applicants require a job offer in order to satisfy the criteria. As such, local employers play a big role in the process.
There is no Labour Market Impact Assessment process under the AIPP. However, employers must still follow a few steps in order to hire through this program. Under the AIPP, employers also work with settlement service provider organizations in their province. This will help newcomers settle and integrate in Canada.
The employer designation process and settlement service provider organizations are different for each province:
- Nova Scotia employer requirements
- New Brunswick employer requirements
- Prince Edward Island employer requirements
- Newfoundland and Labrador employer requirements
In all cases, the employer must send the job offer, the settlement plan for each adult family member, and an endorsement application to the province for review. If the province approves the application, they will send the applicant/candidate an endorsement letter. This letter must be included with the immigration application.
Employers in Nova Scotia looking to fill persistent labour gaps through the AIPP must first be approved for eligibility by being designated and then endorsed by the province.
- Have a business operating in good standing;
- Provide information on labour needs; and
- Commit to working with a service provider organization on settlement and retention
- Demonstrate efforts to hire locally have not been successful;
- Recruit a foreign worker;
- Provide a valid, full-time, non-seasonal job offer co-signed with the foreign worker; and
- Provide an individualized settlement plan co-signed with the foreign worker.
Employers must also work with a settlement service provider in the province. See below for a list of currently available providers.
Employers in New Brunswick interested in participating in the AIPP must meet the following designation criteria
- The employer wants to hire full-time, non-seasonal international candidates;
- The employer and their business are well-established and in good standing; and
- The employer is committed to meet the settlement needs of international candidate(s) and accompanying family members.
Employers in PEI interested in participating in the AIPP must meet the following designation criteria.
The employer must:
- Want to hire full-time, non-seasonal international candidates;
- Be in good standing with provincial and federal standards and legislation;
- Demonstrate preparedness to receive and meet the settlement needs of international candidate(s) and accompanying family members, and agree to do so; and
- Understand and agree to the reporting requirements for the program.
The Employer Designation Application Form must be completed before you can apply for endorsement of a foreign national under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot. Designated employers are eligible to apply for endorsement of a foreign national they wish to hire.
Designation is the first step for employers in Newfoundland and Labrador interested in participating in the AIPP. The designation process is designed to confirm that:
- The AIPP is the immigration program best suited to address the employer’s needs;
- The employer wants to hire full-time, non-seasonal international candidates;
- The employer and their business is established and in good standing as per the program guidelines;
- The employer has demonstrated their preparedness to receive and meet the settlement needs of international candidate(s) and accompanying family members, and has agreed to do so; and,
- The employer understands and agrees to the reporting requirements for the program.
RURAL AND NORTHERN IMMIGRATION PILOT
Through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, the Government of Canada works with small and remote communities in Ontario, Western Canada and the three territories to attract and retain foreign workers.
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is community-driven, which means participating communities take the lead in attracting new immigrants and matching them with local job vacancies, promoting a welcoming community, and connecting newcomers to established members of the community and local settlement services. Old Farmhouse in Canada for Rural Northern Immigration
NOTE: The pilot will launch in participating communities at different times. Please see the participating community list below to see which local pilots have launched.
The following communities are participating in the pilot. Those that are linked have launched their component of the pilot:
- North Bay, Ontario
- Sudbury, Ontario
- Timmins, Ontario
- Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
- Thunder Bay, Ontario
- Brandon, Manitoba
- Altona/Rhineland, Manitoba
- Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
- Claresholm, Alberta
- Vernon, British Columbia
- West Kootenay (Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson), British Columbia
To be considered eligible to participate in the pilot, the community must:
- have a population of 50,000 people or less and be located at least 75 km from the core of a Census Metropolitan Area OR up to 200,000 people and be considered remote from other larger cities (using Statistics Canada’s index of remoteness)
- be located in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Yukon;
- have job opportunities;
- have an economic development plan;
- have a local economic development organization that can manage the pilot for your community;
- have the capacity to settle new immigrants in the community by having or developing:
- relationships with local or regional immigrant-serving organizations;
- opportunities to connect newcomers with established members of the community, such as through mentoring or networking;
- access to key services like education, housing, transportation, and health care.
How to Immigrate under the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
In order to be considered for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program (RNIP), potential candidates must meet the following federal criteria as well as requirements established by the participating community where they are hoping to settle.
The federal criteria are:
- Have a recommendation from one of the designated communities
- Have one year of continuous work experience in the past three years (a minimum of 1,560 hours)
- OR
- Have graduated from a publicly funded post-secondary institution in the recommending community
- Have a genuine job offer to work in one of the designated communities
- Meet the language threshold for the NOC skill type/level of the job being offered
- Have sufficient funds to settle and support themselves and their family in the community
- Have an intention to live in the community
A community recommendation is based on the candidate’s:
- intention to live in the designated community
- job offer and the community’s economic needs
- work experience and skills
- ties to the community
Recommendations are made by a designated community economic development organization.
Eligible candidates must have:
- a minimum of 1,560 hours (one year) of continuous, paid work experience in the past three years;
- the work experience must be in one occupation but can be with different employers
- the work experience can be obtained in Canada or outside Canada
- Self-employed work experience is not eligible
Candidates must have performed the majority of the main duties and all the essential duties listed in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) for their profession as well as the activities listed in the lead statement.
Candidates must have:
- A Canadian high school diploma or the foreign equivalent;
- Diplomas obtained outside Canada must have their equivalency confirmed by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from a designated organization.
- The ECA report must be less than five years old at the time of application
Individuals who have graduated from a post-secondary program in the community that is recommending them are exempt from the work experience requirement if they graduated with:
- a degree, diploma, certificate or trade or apprenticeship from a post-secondary program of 2 years or more and:
- were a full-time student for the entirety of the 2+ years
- obtained the credential within 18 months before the application for permanent residence
- were in the community for at least 16 months of the last 24 months of study
OR
- a master’s degree or a PhD and:
- were a full-time student for the entirety of the degree
- obtained the credential within 18 months before the application for permanent residence
- were in the community for the entirety of the degree
Individuals who cannot apply as international students include those who:
- studied at distance for more than half the program
- studied English or French for more than half the program
- received a scholarship or fellowship that requires they return to their home country to apply their studies
Potential candidates must have a genuine, full-time, permanent, job offer in one of the participating communities. The wage must meet the minimum wage listed for that NOC in the Canada Job Bank and the candidates’ previous experience must demonstrate that they can perform the duties of the job offered.
The Government of Canada defines a genuine job offer as one that:
- must meet the needs of the employer
- the employer must actively be in the business for which the offer has been made
- the employer must be able to fulfill the terms of the offer
- the employer must have complied with all employment laws and rules in the past
Additionally, the job offer must be of the same skill level or one skill level above or below the NOC that best applies to the candidate’s work experience. Candidates whose NOC is rated skill level D, however, must have a job offer in the same occupation.
The minimum language requirement is based on the NOC skill type or level that applies to the candidate’s job offer.
The minimum requirements for each NOC skill type/level are as follows. “CLB” stands for Canadian Language Benchmark.
- NOC 0 and A: Minimum language score of a CLB 6 is required
- NOC B: Minimum language score of a CLB 5 is required
- NOC C and D: Minimum language score of a CLB 4 is required
Candidates must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their families after they move to Canada. These funds must be their own and cannot be borrowed from anyone.
The following documents can be used as proof of funds:
- bank account statements
- documents that show real property or other investments (such as stocks, bonds, debentures, treasury bills, etc.)
- documents that guarantee payment of a set amount of money payable to you (such as banker’s drafts, cheques, traveler’s cheques or money orders)
The minimum required amount is as follows:
Number of family members (including those you support who aren’t immigrating with you) | Funds you need (in Canadian dollars) |
1 | $8,722 |
2 | $10,858 |
3 | $13,348 |
4 | $16,206 |
5 | $18,380 |
6 | $20,731 |
7 or more | $23,080 |
Individuals working legally in Canada at the time of application are exempt from the settlement funds requirement.
AGRI-FOOD IMMIGRATION PILOT
Canada’s Agriculture and Agri-Food industry is a vital component of the Canadian economy and contributes more than $110 billion annually to the country’s gross domestic product.
In order to attract and retain the workers needed to sustain and grow this output, the Government of Canada introduced the three-year Agri-Food Immigration Pilot to provide eligible temporary foreign workers in the sector with a pathway to Canadian permanent residence.
The occupations and industries eligible under the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot include:
- meat processing
- retail butcher
- industrial butcher
- food processing labourer
- harvesting labourer for year-round mushroom production and greenhouse crop production
- general farm worker for year-round mushroom production, greenhouse crop production, or livestock raising
- farm supervisor and specialized livestock worker for meat processing, year-round mushroom production, greenhouse crop production or livestock raising
Candidates with work experience in the above occupations must also meet the following eligibility requirements in order to be considered for Canadian permanent residence under the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot.
- 12 months of full-time, non-seasonal Canadian work experience in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in one of the eligible occupations.
- a Canadian Language Benchmark level 4 in English or French
- the foreign equivalent of a high school level education or greater
- an indeterminate job offer for full-time, non-seasonal work in Canada, outside of Quebec, at or above the prevailing wage.
Eligible employers in the meat processing sector who use the pilot will be issued a two-year Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
In order to be eligible, meat processors will be required to outline their plans to support the temporary foreign worker in obtaining permanent residency.
Unionized meat processors will require a letter of support from their union and non-unionized meat processors will have to meet additional requirements to ensure the labour market and migrant workers are protected, IRCC says.
CAREGIVER PATHWAYS TO PERMENENT RESIDENCE
Canada has a number of immigration pathways to facilitate permanent residence in Canada for eligible foreign caregivers.
This provides information on both active and recently terminated pathways to permanent residence for caregivers:
Caregiver Permanent Residence Pathways:
- Permanent residence through the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP)
- Caring for Children (terminated June 18, 2019)
- Caring for People with High Medical Needs (terminated June 18, 2019)
- Interim Pathway for Caregivers (no longer accepting applications)
- Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots (effective June 18, 2019)
Although the LCP is officially closed to new applicants, individuals can apply for permanent residence through the program if they have at least two years of work experience in the program and:
- They are already working in Canada with an LCP work permit; or
- They were approved for their first LCP work permit based on an employer’s positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application submitted on or before November 30, 2014.
The Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot replace the Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs pilots and provide eligible caregivers with a pathway to permanent residence once they’ve acquired two years of Canadian work experience.
Caregivers with work experience in NOC 4411 (excluding foster parents) will be eligible for permanent residence through the Home Child Care Provider Pilot.
Caregivers with work experience in NOC 4412 (excluding housekeepers) will be eligible for permanent residence through the Home Support Worker Pilot.
Both the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot will only provide work permits to caregivers who have a job offer in Canada and who meet the following criteria:
- Language tests results showing a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 5;
- One year of Canadian post-secondary education or the foreign equivalent; and
- Admissible to Canada.
Caregivers already working in Canada on a work permit who meet these criteria can also apply for permanent residence through the new pilots.
Each program will accept a maximum of 2,750 principal applicants each, for a total of 5,500 principal applicants, per year.
The pilots also provide:
- Occupation-specific work permits for caregivers, providing the ability to change jobs quickly if necessary.
- Open work permits for spouses/common-law partners and study permits for dependent children, to allow the caregiver’s family to accompany them to Canada.
Employers hiring a caregiver from overseas will no longer need a Labour Market Impact Assessment.
SELF EMPLOYED
The government of Canada, as well as the government of the province of Quebec, provide immigration programs for individuals who are self-employed in certain industries.
To qualify for business immigration to Canada under the Self-Employed Persons Program, an applicant must demonstrate that he or she has relevant agricultural, artistic, or athletic experience that will allow the applicant to be successfully self-employed in Canada and to make a significant contribution to his or her field.
The Quebec Self-Employed category of Canadian immigration was designed to allow qualified individuals the opportunity to obtain Canadian permanent residence provided that they can effectively establish themselves in the Province of Quebec by practicing a trade or profession for their own account.
Federal Self Employed
Canada’s Self-Employed Persons Program allows eligible self-employed foreign nationals with relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics to establish themselves in Canada as permanent residents.
Candidates for the Self-Employed Persons Program must have the experience, intention and ability to make a “significant contribution” to Canada’s cultural life or sports in Canada.
Interested candidates must meet both the eligibility requirements and achieve at minimum a passing mark under the program’s selection criteria in order to be considered for immigration as a self-employed person.
There is no regulated minimum net worth requirement for the Self-Employed Persons Program. However, self-employed applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to settle in Canada along with their dependents and finance the work for which their selection is based.
A foreign national must first meet the Government of Canada’s definition of a self-employed person in order to be considered eligible for assessment.
A self-employed person is defined as someone with relevant self-employed experience in a cultural or athletic activity.
Relevant experience consists of at least two years of experience either self-employed in or participating at a world-class level in cultural activities or athletics as defined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Under the Self-Employed Persons Program, eligible occupations within Canada’s artistic, cultural and athletic fields include:
Professional Occupations in Art and Culture | |
5111 | Librarians |
5112 | Conservators and Curators |
5113 | Archivists |
5121 | Authors and Writers |
5122 | Editors |
5123 | Journalists |
5124 | Professional Occupations in Public Relations and Communications |
5125 | Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters |
5131 | Producers, Directors, Choreographers and Related Occupations |
5132 | Conductors, Composers and Arrangers |
5133 | Musicians and Singers |
5134 | Dancers |
5135 | Actors and Comedians |
5136 | Painters, Sculptors and Other Visual Artists |
Technical and Skilled Occupations in Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport | |
5211 | Library and Public Archive Technicians |
5212 | Technical Occupations Related to Museums and Art Galleries |
5221 | Photographers |
5222 | Film and Video Camera Operators |
5223 | Graphic Arts Technicians |
5224 | Broadcast Technicians |
5225 | Audio and Video Recording Technicians |
5226 | Other Technical and Co-ordinating Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Performing Arts |
5227 | Support Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Performing Arts |
5231 | Announcers and Other Broadcasters |
5232 | Other Performers |
5241 | Graphic Designers and Illustrators |
5242 | Interior Designers and Interior Decorators |
5243 | Theatre, Fashion, Exhibit and Other Creative Designers |
5244 | Artisans and Craftspersons |
5245 | Patternmakers – Textile, Leather and Fur Products |
5251 | Athletes |
5252 | Coaches |
5253 | Sports Officials and Referees |
5254 | Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation, Sport and Fitness |
The Quebec Self-Employed category of Canadian immigration was designed to allow qualified individuals the opportunity to obtain Canadian permanent residence provided that they can effectively establish themselves in the Province of Quebec by practicing a trade or profession for their own account.
Applications from interested candidates are assessed against the points assessment for self-employed business immigration to Canada. The pass mark for the self-employed persons program is 35 points out of 100.
Selection Factors | Points |
Experience | Maximum 35 points |
Age | Maximum 10 points |
Education | Maximum 25 points |
Ability in English or French | Maximum 24 points |
Adaptability | Maximum 6 points |
Total | Maximum 100 points |
Pass Mark | 35 points |
Factor 1: Experience
Relevant experience must have been obtained within the five-year period before an application is signed and ends when a decision is made on an application. Applicants may obtain up to 35 points under the experience factor.
Years of experience | Points |
Two years of relevant experience | 20 |
Three years of relevant experience | 25 |
Four years of relevant experience | 30 |
Five years of relevant experience | 35 |
Factor 2: Age
Applicants will be awarded selection points based on their age at the time of application.
Age | Points |
16 or under | 0 |
17 | 2 |
18 | 4 |
19 | 6 |
20 | 8 |
21-49 | 10 |
50 | 8 |
51 | 6 |
52 | 4 |
53 | 2 |
54+ | 0 |
Factor 3: Education
Self-employed applicants can be awarded up to 25 points under the education factor.
Education | Points |
Master’s Degree or Ph.D. and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study | 25 |
Two or more university degrees at the bachelor’s level and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study | 22 |
Three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study | 22 |
University degree of two years or more at the bachelor’s level and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study | 20 |
Two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study | 20 |
One-year university degree at the bachelor’s level and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study | 15 |
One-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study | 15 |
One-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study | 12 |
High school diploma | 5 |
Factor 4: Language Ability
Self-employed persons may be awarded up to 24 points depending on their proficiency in English or French.
Proficiency Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing
|
HIGH: Individual can communicate effectively in most social and work situations. | Speaking: High | Listening: High | Reading: High | Writing: High |
MODERATE: Individual can communicate comfortably in familiar social and work situations. | Speaking: Moderate | Listening: Moderate | Reading: Moderate | Writing: Moderate |
BASIC: Individual can communicate in predictable contexts and on familiar topics, but with some difficulty. | Speaking: Basic | Listening: Basic | Reading: Basic
| Writing: Basic |
NO: Individual does not meet the above criteria for basic proficiency. | Does not meet Basic Level | Does not meet Basic Level | Does not meet Basic Level | Does not meet Basic Level |
Factor 5: Adaptability
Self-employed individuals may obtain up to six (6) points for adaptability based on the following:
Adaptability | Points |
Spouse or common-law partner’s level of education · Secondary school (high school) diploma or less: 0 points · A one-year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, or university degree and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies: 3 points · A two or three-year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, or university degree and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies: 4 points · A master’s degree or PhD and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies: 5 points | 3-5 |
Previous work in Canada
| 5 |
Previous study in Canada
| 5 |
Relatives in Canada | 5 |
Quebec Self Employed
The Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program grants qualified individuals the opportunity to obtain permanent residence provided they can effectively establish themselves as an independent tradesperson or professional in the province.
Quebec will accept 50 applications for selection under its Self-Employed Worker Program between November 1, 2019, and September 30, 2020. Candidates who can demonstrate advanced intermediate abilities in French oral expression and French oral comprehension by way of a MIFI-recognized language test are exempt from this cap and can apply at any time between November 1, 2019, and October 31, 2020.
Quebec accepts applications from self-employed from foreign nationals who meet the requirements of the program.
Quebec welcomes self-employed foreign nationals interested in coming to Quebec to work as an independent tradesperson or professional. In addition to meeting the minimum requirements for the program, the Government of Quebec says the self-employed worker must accept the following conditions:
- choose the means of work performance;
- organize the work;
- provide the required tools and equipment;
- carry out most of the specialized duties; and
- collect the profits and support the loss risks resulting from the work.
Quebec’s Immigration Ministry, the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI), says that foreign nationals interested in obtaining permanent residence in Quebec under the Self-Employed Worker Program must be at least 18 years of age and meet other program requirements.
To be considered for selection, self-employed workers based in Montreal must register a start-up deposit of $50,000 or more at a local financial institution. Candidates based in regions outside of Montreal will have to deposit at least $25,000.
All Self-Employed Worker Program candidates must meet the passing score under the Quebec Economic Class selection grid for the Quebec Self-Employed Program. Candidates will be awarded up to 99 points (112 points if accompanied by a spouse or common-law partner) for factors that include education level, professional experience, language proficiency in French and English, stay and family in Quebec, age, financial self-sufficiency, amount of deposit, and financial resources.
All Quebec Self-Employed Worker applicants must demonstrate the intention to reside in Quebec. During the review of an application, Quebec Self-employed candidates may be invited to attend a selection interview.
The following are the minimum requirements for the program:
Factor | Minimum requirements |
Education level | Secondary school general diploma |
Professional experience as a self-employed worker | Have acquired a minimum of two years of experience in the profession or trade that they intend to practice after establishing themselves in Quebec. |
Financial self-sufficiency | Submit a contract to prove financial self-sufficiency. |
Deposit for startup | Register a start-up deposit of at least $50,000 at a local financial institution if based in the metropolitan area of Montreal. Candidates based outside of Montreal will be required to deposit at least $25,000. |
Minimum net worth | Have legally acquired a minimum of CAD$100,000 in net worth, alone or with the help of their spouse or common-law partner in the event that the spouse or common-law partner is accompanying. |