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A comparative study between Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) by Statistics Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) saw AIP retained more immigrants one year after admission than PNPs.
AIP is a permanent immigration option that allows local employers to nominate foreign talents to immigrate to any of the four Atlantic provinces without having to get the expensive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LIMA).
Atlantic Canada consists of provinces such as New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, and Labrador.
The one-year retention rate of skilled workers admitted under AIP stood at 67.6% in 2019. This is more than three times higher than the 21.5% rate in 2016.
The purpose of the report is to simplify immigration decisions for thousands of aspirants manifesting the dreams of Canadian immigration.
Improved Retention Rates in Atlantic Canada
Another report identified major reasons for immigrants to retain themselves in Atlantic Canada, even after two years of their stay because
- they liked their community,
- the cost of living was affordable, and
- they liked their job.
Nova Scotia saw the highest retention rate among newcomers while Prince Edward Island saw the lowest retention rate in the country despite recording the largest increase in admissions between 2010-2015.
Non-Atlantic provinces of Canada like Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan experienced drops in retention rates in the range of 5% – 10% between 2010-2015.
The study noted those who arrive in a province through an economic immigration program are less likely to remain in their province of admission. Whereas those who arrived under family class sponsorship had a 92.3% retention rate in 2015.
Take this free assessment online to determine your unique eligibility based on your work profile.
How to Qualify for AIP?
Candidates for the AIP must have 1,560 hours of work experience over the past five years. There is an education requirement that can vary depending on your National Occupational Codes (NOC) TEER. The language requirements also vary depending on the NOC TEER category of your job offer.
International students with graduation in any four of the Atlantic provinces can apply. However, they must already be in Canada on a study permit and have lived in one of the Atlantic provinces for at least 16 months during the past two years before graduation.
Is Canada PNP Favoring Immigrants More in 2023?
Canada PNP is the most preferred pathway for economic-class immigration in recent times. PNP is set to make a record in 2022 with over 80,000 allocations to be filled by various streams. PNP nominations for permanent residence in 2023 will target over 105,000 profiles under specific Express Entry and provincial streams.
Various PNP options to settle in Atlantic Canada include
- Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
- New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
- Newfoundland And Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
- Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
While immigrants under “base” and “enhanced” Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams have shown above-average retention rates, the AIP proved to be significant in improving the positive short-term outcomes for immigrants.
The success of the AIP led to the program becoming permanent in 2022 as well as the establishment of other pilot programs such as the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program.
Any foreigner with adequate work experience and language proficiency can gain “Canadian experience” through permanent visa options like AIP and qualify for Canada PR within 3 years.
The “Canadian experience” would typically include work experience in any province, family ties in any province, or study/graduation from any provincial institution.
If you are looking to immigrate to Canada any time soon, you need to consult a reputed and experience immigration lawyer & consultant. CanApprove helps you with all the necessary documentation, counseling, and other legal support.
Book your free appointment with us today!
