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Atlantic Immigration Program

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The application deadline for this grant program was July 9, 2024.

Q: Where is the Atlantic Immigration Program available?

The Atlantic Immigration Program program is available the province of Nova Scotia.

Q: Is the Atlantic Immigration Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Atlantic Immigration Program is a Expert Advice

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Atlantic Immigration Program?

Atlantic Immigration Program is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Government of Canada

Last Update: October 27, 2025

NS, Canada

Hire qualified foreign workers permanently in Atlantic Canada

Expert Advice

Immigration

Refugees and Citizenship Canada

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals

Improve employee retention

Develop employee skills

Eligible Funding

No Condition

Timeline

Open Date : May 15, 2024
Closing date : July 9, 2024

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries

All industries

Location

Nova Scotia

Legal structures

Financial cooperative
Non-profit
Public or Parapublic institution
For-profit business
Sole proprietorship
Social economy enterprise
Non-financial cooperative

Annual revenue

All revenue ranges

Organisation size

All organization sizes

Audience

Newcomers to Canada

Non-profit candidates

Sector of operation

Economic, Social and Community Development
Employment and Training
Diversity and Inclusion

Target groups

New immigrants & refugees
Business owners / entrepreneurs
Academia / students

Revenue structures

All structures

Scope

Regional
Provincial
International

Overview

Get help to hire qualified candidates from overseas or living in Canada temporarily, for jobs you haven't been able to fill locally. Before you can make a job offer and hire a candidate, you must be designated by the provincial government of the Atlantic

Activities funded

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 230,000

Recruiting experienced engineers to develop renewable energy solutions for local communities

$ 180,000

Hiring qualified software engineers to develop a new mobile application revolutionizing financial services

$ 90,000

Bringing in international chefs to enhance the culinary offerings at a community kitchen

$ 320,000

Hiring skilled machinists to enhance manufacturing capabilities in an industrial plant

$ 240,000

Recruiting specialized medical professionals to provide advanced care in rural clinics

Eligibility

To be eligible as a company under the Atlantic Immigration Program, employers must fulfill specific criteria related to their designation status in the Atlantic provinces.

The employer must apply to become designated by the provincial government of the Atlantic province where the candidate will be working.
The employer must comply with the province-specific application process for designation.
The employer is required to demonstrate the inability to fill the position locally.

Who is eligible?

The Atlantic Immigration Program is open to both employers in the four Atlantic Canadian provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador) and to skilled foreign workers or international graduates from Canadian institutions who are seeking permanent residency in these provinces.

Employers must become designated by the provincial government to hire through the program.
International candidates must have a job offer from a designated employer.
Candidates can be recent graduates from recognized post-secondary institutions in Atlantic Canada or skilled workers, either living abroad or as temporary residents in Canada.

Who is not eligible

Some types of companies may not be eligible for the Atlantic Immigration Program grant. Common exclusions include:

Companies that do not operate in one of the Atlantic provinces
Companies that do not have designated status from the provincial government
Companies that do not meet the program's job requirements

Eligible geographic areas

This grant supports companies located in the Atlantic provinces of Canada to promote regional employment through international workers. The program specifically targets businesses unable to fulfill job vacancies with local talent.

New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland and Labrador

Selection criteria

There are evaluation and selection criteria for the Atlantic Immigration Program grant:

Evaluation is based on the candidate meeting the program requirements and the employer becoming designated.
Selection criteria include the candidate receiving a job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada.

How to apply

Apply for Designation

Visit the website of the Atlantic province where your candidate will be working: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, or Prince Edward Island.
Locate the application to become a designated employer on the province’s website.
Complete and submit the application as per the province’s instructions. Note that there is no cost to become designated.

Recruit International Candidates

Once designated, you are eligible to recruit skilled international workers or graduates.
Ensure that the job offer meets the program's requirements.

Issue a Job Offer

Offer the candidate a position that aligns with the program's criteria.
Ensure all details of the job offer comply with provincial guidelines.

Support Employee’s Application

Upon acceptance of the job offer, support the employee in obtaining the necessary referral letter from the Atlantic province.

Additional information

Here is an additional relevant detail for this grant:

While there is no cost to become a designated employer, it is crucial to keep updated with each province's specific application process requirements as they may vary.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Atlantic Immigration Program Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Atlantic Immigration Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Atlantic Immigration Program?

What is the deadline to apply?

Who is eligible for the Atlantic Immigration Program program?

To be eligible for the Atlantic Immigration Program program, you must: The employer must become a designated organization by the provincial government of the specific Atlantic province where the candidate will work. Each province has its own application process for designation, which must be followed by the employer. There is no cost to become a designated employer, but designation is a prerequisite for making job offers to international candidates.