Atlantic Immigration Pilot Programs (AIPP): Ability to become economically established and intent to reside in the endorsing Atlantic province

This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Programs (AIPP) closed on December 31, 2021 with the expiration of the pilot bilateral agreements. The Ministerial Instructions will expire on March 5, 2022. These grant IRCC the authority to continue accepting pilot applications until March 5, 2022 (processing may continue beyond this date, as long as the complete applications were received by March 5, 2022). Any pilot applications received as of March 6, 2022, should be rejected by CIO.

IRCC will start accepting PR applications under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) as of March 6, 2022.

The principal applicant must demonstrate they have the ability to become economically established.

In addition to the selection criteria stated in the ministerial instructions, the applicant must also have sufficient funds available for settlement in Canada pursuant to the Ministerial Instructions (MI).

The funds must be:

  • available and transferable;
  • unencumbered by debts or other obligations; and
  • sufficient to support the initial establishment in Canada.

Sufficient funds are determined according to the applicant’s family size (including both accompanying and non-accompanying dependents), using 12.5% of the current low income cut-off (LICO) for urban areas with populations of 500,000 or more.

If the applicant is unable to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to meet the requirements, refuse the application.

Note: If the applicant has been living and working in Canada under a valid work permit they are not required to provide evidence of funds.

Intent to reside in the endorsing Atlantic province

IRCC must be satisfied that the applicant intends to reside in the endorsing province before issuing the permanent resident visa.

When seeking PR status, whether at a local IRCC office in-Canada or Port of entry (POE), applicants must establish that they still intend to reside in the province that has endorsed them. For more information, see Examination before granting Permanent Residence under one of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Programs (AIPP).

Processing offices must follow procedural fairness guidelines in OP 1 (PDF, 597.29 KB) if they are not satisfied that an AIPP applicant meets the regulatory criteria to become a member of one of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Programs. In such cases, the office must inform the applicant of their concerns, and the applicant must have the opportunity to respond and provide additional information in support of the application.

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