Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): Putting an application into processing
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
IRCC started accepting permanent residence applications under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) on March 6, 2022.
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Putting an application into processing
Following a positive completeness check, the Centralized Intake Office in Sydney (CIO – Sydney) does the following:
- create a file in the Global Case Management System (GCMS)
- in the “Category” field in GCMS, enter or select the following:
- AIP for the Atlantic Immigration Program
- 1 of the following 4 subcategories for AIP based on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type or level or Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categorization:
- WERE HS 0 (work experience, responsibilities and education—highest skill) for job offers with NOC skill type or TEER category 0
- WERE HS A/1 (high skill) for job offers with NOC skill level A or TEER category 1
- WERE IS B/2-3 (intermediate skill) for job offers with NOC skill level B or TEER category 2 or 3
- WERE BS C/4 (basic skill) for job offers with NOC skill level C or TEER category 4
- cost recover the applicable processing fees and enter confirmation in GCMS
- send an acknowledgment of receipt to the applicant informing them that their file has been placed into processing and issue medical instructions
- transfer the electronic file to the processing office in GCMS by making that office the primary office for processing
Once an application for the AIP has been assessed as complete under section 10 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), the application is put into processing.
For all AIP applications, the processing office is responsible for
- assessing if the applicant meets the eligibility requirements for the AIP
- assessing if the applicant is admissible to Canada
The processing office should carry out normal security screening procedures once the application is put into processing. The office should also issue medical instructions to applicants.
Processing family members
The CIO – Sydney receives and triages all applications submitted under the AIP. The application is transferred to the relevant processing office, where both the principal applicant and all family members (inland or overseas) should be processed.