Atlantic Immigration Program

The job must be from an employer designated by the Atlantic province where the candidate will work. It must be full-time (at least 30 hours a week) and non-seasonal (consistent and paid all year). For TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3, the offer must last at least one year from the time the candidate becomes a permanent resident; for TEER 4, it must be permanent with no set end date. The employer gives the candidate an Offer of Employment to a Foreign National form (IMM 0157) and a copy of its confirmation of designation.

At least 1,560 hours of paid work experience over the past 5 years (about 30 hours a week for one year), spread over at least one year. Volunteer work, unpaid internships and self-employment do not count. Work in Canada must have been done with a valid work permit. The experience must match the duties in the NOC description and be at the same TEER category as the job offer or higher (for example, a TEER 4 offer accepts only TEER 4 experience in IRCC's table; a TEER 0 offer accepts TEER 0 to 4).

Graduates do not need the work experience if all of these apply: a degree, diploma, certificate or trade or apprenticeship certification of at least 2 years from a recognised post-secondary institution in an Atlantic province; received less than 2 years before applying for permanent residence; full-time study the whole time; lived in an Atlantic province for at least 16 months in the 2 years before graduating; and held the right visa or permit. Programs where language study or distance learning made up at least half do not count, nor do studies on a scholarship requiring a return home.