Update Covid-19: Professionals specialized in health care, food processing and logistics are authorized to enter Canada. Check it out on the complete list here.
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Project was created to attract more people to Atlantic Canada. The program is employer-driven and its objective is to match job seekers with employment opportunities in Atlantic Canada.
For those obtaining a job offer from overseas, the residency process is accelerated. For most aspiring immigrants, however, getting a job offer from a Canadian company they have never met can be difficult.
In principle, a candidate is eligible for residency if they have a high school education, an official English test score, and one-year work experience within the last three years, in the same job description as the job offer.
In practice, having the education, language ability, and job experience in the same job code is a difficult combination. Skills may be transferable if they remain in the same NOC levels of A, B, or C, however, the final decision is subjective and up to the discretion of the reviewing officer. NOC D occupations are not eligible for the pilot project and down skilling your experience to find an employment contract is not permitted.
Speaking from experience, the Atlantic Immigration Pilot has proven effective at retaining temporary foreign workers already in Canada. By coming into the country as a foreign worker, and transitioning into residency, candidates can avoid cost-prohibitive settlement fees.
I recommend that unsuccessful job seekers understand the supply and demand factors of the Canadian labour market.
ATLANTIC
PROVINCES
Choose one to navigate
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a picturesque island of planted fields rolling towards the ocean. Red cliffs, and white sandy beaches make PEI a favorite summer destination for tourist. There are approximately 150,000 people on the island in the winter and the numbers can almost double in the summer.
Prince Edward Island and its residents have a great love for agriculture. Farmers markets and agricultural fairs are a local staple. Likewise, islanders are tied to long musical traditions and hosts many music festivals where the sounds of upbeat fiddling can be heard.
The University of Prince Edward Island is one of Atlantic Canada’s favorite study destinations. Charlottetown, a quaint town of Victorian architecture is colourful and pleasant. Wherever you wander, locals smile and say hello.
There are café’s, boutiques, theaters, and the famous Cows ice cream shops.
Prince Edward has everything an island needs, even the Confederation Bridge linking it to the mainland and to the Province of New Brunwick.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia lives up to its reputation as Canada’s Ocean Playground. With dozens of lighthouses and 7400 kilometers of coastline, the sea is never far from the heart. Nova’s Scotia’s bold and pristine waters are the economic pillar of the province.
The seafood industry which sustains hundreds of coastal communities generates 2 billion dollars worth of annual exports.
In Nova Scotia lobster is king! Thousands of boats and independent fishing families make their living from the oceans.
Halifax is an international seaport and the largest urban center of Atlantic Canada. The city is home to five universities including: Dalhousie University, NSCAD University, Mount St. Vincent University, Kings College and Saint Mary’s University.
From the majestic Cape Breton Highland National Park, to the fruit trees of the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia has beauty, taste, and wilderness.
When you come to Nova Scotia keep an ear out for the sounds of New Scotland’s traditional jigs and reels. The bars, breweries, and Nova Scotia’s sea shanties will not disappoint.
Newfoundland & Labrador
Newfoundland is unique in its dialect, music, and geography. As Canada’s last province to join confederation in 1949, “The Rock,” is fiercely independent, and borne of the ocean. The island’s adjacency to one of the most prolific fishing grounds in the world shaped a resilient people in a harsh environment. Newfoundlanders are known to be the most hospitable and generous people in Camada.
They are cheerful, humorous, and always take the time to say hello.
Although the island of Newfoundland is predominantly wild and moose are very frequently spotted crossing the road, St. John’s is a hugely entertaining town. The working harbour is home to world class restaurants and prestigious cuisines.
On George Street, people can dance to blues, rock, house, and Newfoundland folk favorites all night long.
Memorial University, is chosen as a destination for many international students. In addition to having some of the most affordable tuition in the country, Memorial is consistently a top-ranking school.
Whether you go to study, party, or hike the impressive Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland is a destination you are unlikely to forget.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is Canada’s only officially bilingual province. The dual identity is apparent in its communities, institutions, and language. If Moncton is the center of francophone culture, in the Capital of Fredericton, mostly English is spoken.
For the budget conscious student, New Brunswick offers a great choice for its universities, colleges, and cheap rent. University of New Brunswick has several campuses, and the University of Moncton is a reputable French University. For careers, the New Brunswick community colleges has many trades that can qualifie you to work in Canada within one year.
Explorers will love that New Brunswick is also bordered by water. The Northumberland Straight offers white sand beaches and warm waters in summer. The Fundy National Park has magnificent trails on cliffs suspended over the highest tidal surges in the world.
In winter, New Brunswick offers many winter sports and a good amount of snowfall.
Snowmobile tracks can lead to sugar shacks were maple syrup and good times are had.
For a new Canadian family, one of New Brunswick’s selling points is that it is the cheapest real estate in the Canada. Here, you can still get waterfront properties for under$ 200,000.