Atlantic Immigration pilot gives more opportunities to spouses

Canada’s Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) is adding a new component which is designed to provide a better quality of life to skilled immigrants and their families.

The addendum will allow more spouses to apply for work permits for certain jobs. Spouses of principal applicants, who have an intermediate skill level, such as food and beverage servers or long-haul truck drivers, will be given an opportunity to apply for an open work permit.

“Good quality of life for newcomers that have come to work here through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot is critical to their success and making sure they make Atlantic Canada their forever home,” said Matt DeCourcey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

This change supports the Atlantic Immigration Pilot’s goal to ensure newcomers who have move to the region through the program, stay there.

Originally, only the spouses of those in high-skilled positions, such as managers, medical doctors or architects, were able to apply for a work permit. The change is one of a few made to the pilot following feedback.

Other recent changes include:

– International graduates will now have 24 months post-graduation to apply for the AIP. This change will increase the number of eligible international graduates that can participate in AIP and give them the time they need to complete the permanent resident application process. – Employers in the healthcare sector will be able to hire internationally trained nurses to work as continuing care and home care support workers in order to fill job vacancies. – The Atlantic provinces will have new authorities to focus their AIP spaces on in-demand labour market needs. This change will lead to better oversight of the pilot and give provinces greater ability to manage designated employers. – Applicants must meet the language, education and work experience requirements of the AIP prior to being approved for a work permit.

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot has also been extended another two years to the end of 2021.

Article published 9th May 2019