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Hire a permanent foreign worker - Nova Scotia - Canada
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Source verified July 4, 2026

Hire a permanent foreign worker

Employer pathway to hire permanent foreign workers
Offered by
Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Official source: canada.ca
Latest source update
Last Update: May 17, 2026
Latest change: The grant content now reflects updated Atlantic immigration timing and employer guidance, including a 12-month EOI validity rule and refreshed designated-employer information.
View change
Hire permanent foreign worker updates
The grant content has been refreshed with a notable timing change for Atlantic Immigration Program EOIs, now showing a 12-month validity period effective May 1, 2026. It also points applicants to updated selection-priority and EOI-selection guidance, which may affect how applications are reviewed. Employer-facing guidance was also adjusted in related pages, including a refreshed designated-employers list for New Brunswick and a small update to post-endorsement form naming. Most other visible changes are cosmetic or link-label updates, with no change to funding terms or portal endpoints.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Who can apply
New Brunswick employers.
See full eligibility

Overview

The Atlantic Immigration Program helps employers in Atlantic Canada hire skilled foreign workers and international graduates for permanent residence pathways. It covers employer designation, endorsement of job offers, and support for permanent residence applications.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Attract or retain talent
  • Develop an online presence
  • Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
  • Varies by project
Funds Providers

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Location
  • Nova Scotia
Legal structures
  • For-profit business
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Newcomers to Canada

Next Steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Become a designated employer to participate in the Atlantic Immigration Program.
  • Offer jobs under the Atlantic Immigration Program.
  • Submit endorsement applications under the Atlantic Immigration Program.
  • Support new hires or existing workers in obtaining permanent residence.

Official resources

Official page

Hire a permanent foreign worker

Program guide

Atlantic Immigration Program

Atlantic Immigration Program

Hire a provincial nominee

Application form

AIP endorsement application guidelines

Atlantic Immigration Program

Atlantic Immigration Program

Use of a Representative

Supporting document

Atlantic Immigration Program

Employer

Immigrate through the Atlantic Immigration Program: Apply for permanent residence

Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • New Brunswick employers.
  • Employers in Atlantic Canada.
  • Employers seeking to hire skilled foreign workers.
  • Employers seeking to hire international graduates.

Who is not eligible

  • Employers outside Atlantic Canada.
  • Employers applying for candidates who will not work in an Atlantic province.

Eligible expenses

There are eligible expenses for this grant, including:

  • Costs associated with hiring foreign workers or recent graduates
  • Supporting an employee in their permanent residence journey

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • You can't hire a candidate if they won't be working in an Atlantic province.

Eligible geographic areas

  • New Brunswick
  • Nova Scotia
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Newfoundland and Labrador

Selection criteria

  • Applications are selected for processing based on provincial labour market needs.
  • Applications are selected for processing based on available allocation.
  • Applications are selected for processing based on other priorities determined by the Government of New Brunswick.

How to apply

  • To become a designated employer, complete onboarding training and intercultural competency training before you apply for designation with the province.
  • Email the Atlantic Immigration Program’s dedicated service channel to sign up for onboarding training.
  • Applications for designation must be submitted using the online application system.
  • To submit an online Designation application, upload the required documents through your Nova Scotia Online Service account.
  • If you want to hire a provincial nominee, the applicant must receive a nomination from a province or territory and apply for permanent residence though a non-Express Entry stream of the provincial nominee program.

Processing and Agreement

  • ImmigrationNB selects applications from the AIP candidate pool for processing based on provincial labour market needs, available allocation, and other priorities determined by the Government of New Brunswick.
  • Applicants are responsible for monitoring their INB profile.
  • Immigration New Brunswick is unable to provide processing times for individual applications and cannot guarantee that an application will be evaluated or approved before a work permit expires.

Additional information

  • Access to the Employer Portal is crucial for managing job offers and foreign worker applications.
  • Job Match services can assist in locating suitable candidates effectively.
  • Utilizing the Job Bank can streamline the hiring process of foreign skilled workers.
  • Becoming a designated employer under specific immigration programs can facilitate the hiring process.
  • Employers are encouraged to use outreach services to optimize their use of immigration programs.
  • Employers must ensure that job offers meet the criteria for Express Entry and other immigration applications.
  • Guide documents are available to assist in hiring and retaining internationally trained workers.

Contacts

ERC@novascotia.ca
902-424-4311

Frequently Asked Questions about the Hire a permanent foreign worker Program

What is the Hire a permanent foreign worker?

The Atlantic Immigration Program helps employers in Atlantic Canada hire skilled foreign workers and international graduates for permanent residence pathways. It covers employer designation, endorsement of job offers, and support for permanent residence applications.

Who is eligible for the Hire a permanent foreign worker program?

To be eligible for the Hire a permanent foreign worker program, you must: The employer must be designated in the province where the candidate will work. Only designated employers can offer jobs and submit endorsement applications under the AIP. Employers with multiple business names still need an ERC for each business that wants to employ foreign workers.

What expenses are eligible under Hire a permanent foreign worker?

Become a designated employer to participate in the Atlantic Immigration Program. Offer jobs under the Atlantic Immigration Program. Submit endorsement applications under the Atlantic Immigration Program. Support new hires or existing workers in obtaining permanent residence.

Who can I contact for more information about the Hire a permanent foreign worker?

You can contact Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) by email at ERC@novascotia.ca or by phone at 902-424-4311.

Where is the Hire a permanent foreign worker available?

The Hire a permanent foreign worker program is available the province of Nova Scotia.

Is the Hire a permanent foreign worker a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Hire a permanent foreign worker is a Grant and Funding

Who are the financial supporters of the Hire a permanent foreign worker?

Hire a permanent foreign worker is funded by Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Immigration