Canada · Work
Canada Atlantic Immigration
Atlantic Immigration Program
First checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Atlantic Immigration is a work route for Canada. Local work: limited. Checked 2026-10-10 against the official source.
- Government fees
- CAD 1,590 ≈ $1,110 · CAD 270 ≈ $190
Cost, time and long term
Government feesCAD 1,590 ≈ $1,110 · CAD 270 ≈ $190
- CAD 1,590 (≈ $1,110)IRCC permanent residence application for the principal applicant, including the right of permanent residence fee (Economic immigration (Express Entry, provincial nominee, Atlantic, Quebec-selected skilled workers)); a spouse or partner included in the application pays CAD 1,590 (≈ $1,110).
- CAD 270 (≈ $190)IRCC fee for each dependent child included in the application.
CitizenshipAfter 3 years as a permanent resident
Needs 1,095 days physically in Canada in the 5 years before applying, including at least 730 days as a permanent resident. Each day as a temporary resident before permanent residence counts as half a day, up to 365 days of credit.
Presence rulesAt least 730 days
A permanent resident must be physically in Canada at least 730 days in any 5-year period to keep the status.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Needs a job offer from an employer in Canada
- Work rights are limited
What you'll need
Who can apply3
- The applicant has a job offer from a designated employer in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador.
- The applicant is a skilled worker or a recent graduate of a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada.
- Candidates can live abroad or in Canada as temporary residents.
What you must show2
- IRCC charges CAD 1,590 (≈ $1,110) for the principal applicant, CAD 1,590 (≈ $1,110) for a spouse or partner and CAD 270 (≈ $190) per child.
- There is no cost for an employer to become a designated employer.
Steps2
- A temporary work permit while waiting needs a job offer from the designated employer.
- The same temporary work permit needs a referral letter from the Atlantic province.
What happens at day 183
How Canada decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Tax residence
- At least 183 days in a calendar yearDay count used in the CRA residency decision flow (page wording: fewer than 183 days versus more than 182 days throughout the year); significant ties and treaty residence are assessed together with it.
- At least 183 days in a tax yearA person who sojourned in Canada in the year for 183 days or more is deemed resident for the whole year (Income Tax Act s.250(1)(a))
- Foreign-source income
Worldwide income for residents; Canadian-source income for non-residents
All tax rules for Canada Tax records checked
Full official text
Permanent residence pathway for skilled foreign workers and recent Atlantic graduates with a job offer from an employer designated by New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador. 1 2
What you must show and pay
- A fee of CAD 1,590 (≈ $1,110) · IRCC permanent residence application for the principal applicant, including the right of permanent residence fee (Economic immigration (Express Entry, provincial nominee, Atlantic, Quebec-selected skilled workers)); a spouse or partner included in the application pays CAD 1,590 (≈ $1,110). 2
- A fee of CAD 270 (≈ $190) · IRCC fee for each dependent child included in the application. 2
Requirements
- The applicant has a job offer from a designated employer in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador. 1
- The applicant is a skilled worker or a recent graduate of a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada. 1
- Candidates can live abroad or in Canada as temporary residents. 1
- IRCC charges CAD 1,590 (≈ $1,110) for the principal applicant, CAD 1,590 (≈ $1,110) for a spouse or partner and CAD 270 (≈ $190) per child. 2
- There is no cost for an employer to become a designated employer. 1
- A temporary work permit while waiting needs a job offer from the designated employer. 1
- The same temporary work permit needs a referral letter from the Atlantic province. 1
Stay
- Permanent residence on landing; an interim employer-specific work permit is available while waiting.
Nationality
No nationality restriction.
Work
Interim work permit tied to the designated employer; permanent residence once granted.
Family
Family can be included.
Official sources
- Atlantic Immigration Program · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-09-01
- Citizenship and immigration application fees: fee list · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 2026-10-11
- Apply for citizenship: who can apply (physical presence) · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 2026-10-11
- How long must I stay in Canada to keep my permanent resident status? · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 2026-10-11
Atlantic Immigration and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Immigration | – | – | Limited |
| BC PNP Skills Immigration | Needs income from CAD 26k a year ≈ $18k | – | – |
| Employer work permit | – | 3 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Express Entry · Trades | Needs savings from CAD 15k ≈ $11k | – | – |
| Express Entry · Skilled Worker | Needs savings from CAD 15k ≈ $11k | – | – |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Atlantic Immigration?
A fee of CAD 1,590 (≈ $1,110). IRCC permanent residence application for the principal applicant, including the right of permanent residence fee (Economic immigration (Express Entry, provincial nominee, Atlantic, Quebec-selected skilled workers)); a spouse or partner included in the application pays CAD 1,590 (≈ $1,110). A fee of CAD 270 (≈ $190). IRCC fee for each dependent child included in the application.
How long can I stay on the Atlantic Immigration?
Permanent residence on landing; an interim employer-specific work permit is available while waiting.
Can I work on the Atlantic Immigration?
Limited. Interim work permit tied to the designated employer; permanent residence once granted.
Can I bring my family on the Atlantic Immigration?
Family can be included.
How are Atlantic Immigration holders taxed in Canada?
No special regime in our records is tied to the Atlantic Immigration. The standard rules apply: Tax obligations follow residency status decided on all facts, mainly significant residential ties; residents report world income from all sources.
More in Canada
Work visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
Ask the AI about this route AI
An AI assistant answers from the published records on this page and cites them. It can't assess your personal eligibility. Don't include personal details.
How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-10 against 4 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Atlantic Immigration Program · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 2026-10-10
- Citizenship and immigration application fees: fee list · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 2026-10-11
- Apply for citizenship: who can apply (physical presence) · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 2026-10-11
- How long must I stay in Canada to keep my permanent resident status? · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.