Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): Other situations
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.
On this page
- Other Situations
- Processing instructions for officers
- Multiple permanent residence applications concurrently
Other situations
Situations may arise during processing that require the officers to confirm that the conditions of the program continue to be met. This page provides guidance on how to proceed when various circumstances change after a permanent residence (PR) application has been submitted.
Applicants must promptly inform IRCC in writing of any changes in circumstances by submitting an IRCC Web form.
Changes in family composition
An applicant who has applied to the AIP and who subsequently has a change in family composition must inform IRCC in writing using the Web form. There is no need for a new or amended endorsement, because only the principal applicant is named on the endorsement certificate. For more information, see Processing family class applicants: Handling changes in circumstances.
Changes in employment
This section applies to situations of changes to the applicant’s employment, including changes to their employment with the same employer, or a change to a different employer.
Changes to Job Position, NOC/TEER Code or Terms of Employment with the Same Employer
If the employer changes the terms of employment (wages, occupation and working conditions), or if the applicant’s job position changes resulting in a different NOC/ TEER code, while remaining with the same employer, the applicant must obtain the following documents and submit them to IRCC using the Web form:
- an updated provincial endorsement certificate from the supporting Atlantic province reflecting the updated job information, and
- an updated Offer of Employment (IMM 0157) form from the employer reflecting the changes in employment.
In the event the applicant’s job title changes, but no changes were made to their terms of employment and/ or NOC/TEER code, an officer may request that the applicant obtain an updated provincial endorsement certificate to reflect the updated job information.
Note: This section on Changes to Job Position applies to applicants who remain employed with the same designated employer. If the applicant has changed employers, refer to the Change of Designated Employers section below.
Note: If the applicant’s new employment is at a different National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level or Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category, it may change certain program requirements (for example, the language, education, duration of the job offer). The candidate will be required to meet the requirements associated with their new offer of employment.
Note: It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that their work permit remains valid. Any changes related to their AIP PR application may affect work permit requirements.
Applicants must confirm whether a new work permit is needed and take the necessary steps to maintain valid work authorization (e.g., employer-specific work authorization).
Change of Designated Employers (from one designated employer to another designated employer under the AIP)
An applicant who has applied for PR under the AIP, and subsequently changes employers must immediately obtain the following documents and submit them to IRCC using the web form:
- An updated provincial endorsement certificate from the supporting Atlantic province reflecting the changes ; and
- An updated Offer of Employment (IMM 0157) form from the employer reflecting the changes.
Note: It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that their work permit remains valid. Any changes related to their AIP PR application may affect work permit requirements.
Applicants must confirm whether a new work permit is needed and take the necessary steps to maintain valid work authorization (e.g., employer-specific work authorization).
Change of employer ownership
This section applies when an employer’s ownership changes after an applicant under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) has submitted a permanent residence application and is awaiting a final decision.
Following a change in ownership, the province will assess both the employer and any associated endorsements to determine whether the applicant can continue to be supported and whether the employer remains eligible for designation under the AIP. The province will also conduct case‑by‑case assessments for endorsements issued by employers that request de‑designation, no longer wishing to participate in the program.
As part of this assessment, the province may decide to maintain the employer’s designation or to de‑designate the employer. The province also has the authority to continue supporting an endorsement even if the employer is no longer designated.
Whether the employer remains designated or not, there will be either one of the two outcomes below for processing:
The province no longer supports the applicant, and revokes the endorsement
- The application must be refused following the instructions in Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): Admissibility and making a final decision.
The province continues to support the applicant
- The application will continue to be processed. The applicant must obtain the following documents and submit them to IRCC using the web form:
- Where the employer is no longer designated:
- An official letter from the supporting Atlantic province explaining that the province continues to support the applicant even though the employer is no longer designated
- Where the employer continues to be designated:
- An updated provincial endorsement from the supporting Atlantic province reflecting the changes, and, if applicable
- An updated Offer of Employment Form (IMM 0157) from the employer reflecting the changes to the business and contact information, if any.
- Where the employer is no longer designated:
(Also refer to: Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): Assessing the application against selection criteria)
Note: It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that their work permit is valid. Any changes related to their AIP PR application may affect work permit requirements.
Applicants must confirm whether a new work permit is needed and take the necessary steps to maintain valid work authorization (e.g., employer-specific work authorization).
Processing instructions for officers
These processing instructions are applicable to the entirety of this PDI. Upon receipt of a notification of a change of circumstances as laid out above, the processing officer must enter a note in the Global Case Management System (GCMS) explaining the changes and documenting the documents submitted by the applicant and update the client’s information in GCMS.
The processing officer must update the updated provincial endorsement certificate information under the “Provincial endorsement letter” section of GCMS. This field will now have the capacity for 250 characters for the change of employer information.
If IRCC receives a notification of a change of circumstances without the required supporting documents outlined above, the AIP PR application should be put on hold for 90 days until IRCC receives all supporting documents from the applicant. Once the documents are received, processing can resume. A procedural fairness letter (PFL) should be issued to the applicant to request for the supporting documents to be submitted to IRCC within the allotted 90 days time, failing which, the application should be refused.
A new AIP PR application is not necessary, as the officer simply updates the information in GCMS.
If IRCC Officer require further information or needs to validate information, they may reach out to the province.
Multiple permanent residence applications concurrently
An applicant who has applied in another immigration category, and who is subsequently endorsed by an Atlantic province, must submit a new application under the AIP. In such a case, the following applies, whether the:
- initial application has not been placed into processing and the applicant wishes to withdraw the application, the processing fee can be refunded.
- initial application has been placed into processing, no refund is possible.
- applicant does not wish to withdraw the initial application, processing on both applications may continue, but only one permanent resident visa can be issued to an applicant.
Note: For concerns relating to the applicant’s intent to reside in the province that endorsed them, see Ability to become economically established and intent to reside in the endorsing Atlantic province.