AIP 2025: Key Sectors Prioritized in Atlantic Canada

Atlantic Immigration Program 2025: What Sectors Are Being Prioritized in Canada’s Atlantic Provinces?

If you’re thinking about making Atlantic Canada your new home in 2025, the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) continues to be one of the most attractive pathways to Canadian permanent residence. However, with a reduced federal allocation this year, the four Atlantic provinces are tightening focus and prioritizing workers in specific sectors.

Whether you’re in healthcare, construction, manufacturing, or certain tech or agriculture roles, you may have a leg up in the 2025 immigration landscape. Let’s take a closer look at what’s changing and how to position yourself for success.

Key Highlights

• In 2025, Atlantic provinces are prioritizing immigration applications in key sectors due to reduced program allocations.
• Healthcare, construction, and manufacturing are top priorities across most provinces.
• Newfoundland and Labrador is also emphasizing tech and aquaculture occupations.
• New Brunswick has paused AIP applications for the remainder of the year.
• Applicants need a job offer from a designated employer and must meet work experience, education, language, and settlement fund requirements.
• The AIP offers faster processing and access to temporary work permits while PR is being finalized.

What Is the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)?

The AIP is a federal immigration program designed to help employers in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island (PEI), and Newfoundland and Labrador hire skilled foreign workers and international graduates.

It’s an employer-driven program, meaning you must first secure a valid job offer from a designated employer before applying. Once the job offer is endorsed by the province, you can apply directly to the federal government for permanent residence—no provincial nomination required, unlike with Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

The AIP also offers access to a temporary work permit, allowing you to start working while your PR application is being processed.

Which Occupations Are Being Prioritized by Province in 2025?

Here’s a province-by-province breakdown of the sectors currently being prioritized under the AIP in 2025:

Prince Edward Island (PEI)

PEI has narrowed its AIP intake to three high-demand industries: healthcare, construction, and manufacturing. This means the province will only accept endorsement applications for workers in these sectors for the rest of 2025. If you’re working in another field, you can still explore options through the PEI PNP.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is prioritizing workers already living and working in the province, especially those whose work permits expire in 2025. Top sectors include:

• Healthcare and social assistance (NAICS 62)
• Construction (NAICS 23)

International candidates in healthcare, construction, and select other critical industries like trucking, science and tech, clean energy, and resource development may also receive priority processing under AIP.

Newfoundland and Labrador

This province is sticking with the AIP but has released a detailed list of in-demand occupations across three key sectors:

Healthcare

• Family physicians, psychiatrists, pathologists, radiologists, and more
• Nurse Practitioners, LPNs, Personal Care Attendants
• Clinical psychologists, radiation therapists, medical physicists

Tech/ICT

• Software developers, web developers, UI/UX designers
• Engineers (biomedical, electrical, mechanical)
• AI developers, cybersecurity and cloud specialists, technical writers

Aquaculture

• Cage site technicians, area managers, captains (FM4 certification)
• Feeding and farming managers, site/facility technicians

As of February 19, 2025, Newfoundland and Labrador uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) model for AIP applicants. This means you’ll need to submit an EOI and wait for an invitation before applying for endorsement.

New Brunswick

Unfortunately, New Brunswick has paused its AIP intake for the rest of 2025 due to reaching federal limits. No new endorsement applications will be accepted from designated employers until 2026.

The good news? The province did receive 1,500 additional nominations under its NB PNP, which may offer alternative pathways for those interested in settling there.

Who’s Eligible to Apply Under the AIP?

To qualify for the AIP, you must:

• Have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated Atlantic employer
• Meet education and language requirements based on the job’s skill level
• Show you have recent work experience or be a recent graduate from an Atlantic Canadian institution
• Have enough settlement funds (unless already living and working in Canada)

Work Experience Requirements

Skilled Workers

• Minimum 1,560 hours of work in the last 5 years
• Experience must fall under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4

International Students

• Completed a 2-year credential at an Atlantic Canadian institution
• Lived in the region for at least 16 of the past 24 months before graduation
• Studied full-time and maintained legal status

Education Requirements

• TEER 0/1 jobs: At least one year of post-secondary education
• TEER 2/3/4 jobs: High school diploma

If your studies were outside Canada, you’ll need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to verify your education level.

Language Proficiency

• TEER 0–3: CLB/NCLC 5
• TEER 4: CLB/NCLC 4

Language tests must be from IRCC-approved organizations and taken within the last two years.

Settlement Funds

You’ll need to show proof of funds to support yourself and your family, unless you already live and work in Canada on a valid work permit. The required amount depends on your family size.

How to Apply for AIP in 2025

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:

1. Check your eligibility based on work experience, language, education, and funds.
2. Find a job with a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces.
3. Create a settlement plan with help from your employer and a recognized settlement service provider.
4. Get your job offer endorsed by the province through your employer.
5. Apply for permanent residence to the federal government using your endorsement certificate.
6. Apply for a temporary work permit if you want to start working while your PR application is processed.

If you’re unsure where to begin, reach out to a trusted immigration consultant or use a free assessment tool to evaluate your eligibility.

Final Thoughts: Is the AIP Right for You in 2025?

The Atlantic Immigration Program is still one of Canada’s most streamlined and employer-friendly immigration