Atlantic Immigration Program

Atlantic Immigration Program

The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration has temporarily paused the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry (NSEEE) stream to NOC 62020 – food service supervisors. 

The following are currently not eligible:

- Under NSEEE, work experience with NOC 62020
- Under AIP, job offers with NOC 62020

The following remain the same:

- Candidates using NOC 62020 can apply through the Skilled Worker Stream.
- Businesses working in the food and hospitality sectors will continue to be able to use the Skilled Worker stream to recruit food service supervisors.
- Employers are also able to recruit food and beverage servers (NOC 65200) and food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations (NOC 65201) through the Occupations in Demand (OiD) stream.

Currently, transport truck drivers (NOC 73300) applications are not being accepted by Nova Scotia’s Atlantic Immigration Program. Transport trucking employers are encouraged to use the Nova Scotia Nominee Program’s Skilled Worker stream, Occupations in Demand stream or Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry.

ELIGIBILITY

To participate in the Atlantic Immigration Program, employers must first be approved by being designated and then have their positions endorsed by the Province. 

Once the employer’s positions are endorsed, foreign worker(s) identified by the employer can apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for permanent residency. The foreign worker can also get a temporary work permit while waiting for permanent residency.

HOW TO APPLY

1. Review the guides and resources below.
2. Complete the online application form and include all required information.
3. If you're submitting applications for designation and endorsement, you must use the online system. Sample application forms below are not an accepted form of submission.

Apply Online

STEP 1: EMPLOYER DESIGNATION

To become designated, an employer must:

• Have a business operating in good standing
• Provide information on labour needs
• Commit to working with a service provider organization on settlement and retention
   

DESIGNATION GUIDES AND FORMS

• Employer Designation Guide
• Changes – Designation Guide
• Sample Designation Form
• Use of a Representative (AIP 50 Form)

STEP 2: ENDORSEMENT 

To have a position endorsed, an employer must:

• Demonstrate that efforts to hire locally have been unsuccessful
• Recruit a foreign worker
• Provide a valid, full-time, non-seasonal job offer co-signed by the foreign worker
• Provide an individualized settlement plan co-signed by the foreign worker
• Complete mandatory onboarding training and, if required, intercultural competency training

ENDORSEMENT GUIDES AND FORMS

• Employer Endorsement Guide
• Changes – Endorsement Guide
• Sample Endorsement Form
• IMM0157E Job Offer Form
• Nova Scotia Employer Registration Certificate
• Use of a Representative (AIP 50 Form)
   

STEP 3: FOREIGN WORK IMMIGRATION APPLICATION

To apply for permanent residency foreign workers must:

• Have a valid endorsement certificate issued by the province
• Foreign workers who require a work permit must have a work permit referral letter issued by the Province
• Employers supporting work permit applications must register in the federal employer portal, submit the job offer and pay a compliance fee