Economic Immigration
Atlantic Immigration Program Processing Time
About 11,500 people waiting · IRCC data as of October 9, 2026
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is an employer-driven permanent residence pathway for skilled workers and international graduates with a job offer from a designated employer in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador.
AIP became a permanent program in 2022 after the Atlantic Immigration Pilot. This page tracks how long IRCC currently takes to process AIP permanent residence applications and how that number has moved.
Processing Time History
| Date | Processing Time (months) |
|---|---|
| October 9, 2025 | 37 |
| November 6, 2025 | 37 |
| December 9, 2025 | 37 |
| January 14, 2026 | 33 |
| February 12, 2026 | 33 |
| March 9, 2026 | 33 |
| April 7, 2026 | 40 |
| May 12, 2026 | 38 |
| June 8, 2026 | 26 |
| July 7, 2026 | 26 |
| August 10, 2026 | 26 |
| September 3, 2026 | 26 |
| October 9, 2026 | 26 |
People Ahead by Application Month
IRCC also publishes how many applications submitted in each month are still ahead of you in the Atlantic Immigration Program queue.
| Month | People Ahead |
|---|---|
| 2024/10 | 800 |
| 2024/11 | 900 |
| 2024/12 | 1000 |
| 2025/01 | 1400 |
| 2025/02 | 2300 |
| 2025/03 | 2900 |
| 2025/04 | 3500 |
| 2025/05 | 4100 |
| 2025/06 | 4700 |
| 2025/07 | 5300 |
| 2025/08 | 5900 |
| 2025/09 | 6600 |
| 2025/10 | 7200 |
| 2025/11 | 7600 |
| 2025/12 | 8200 |
| 2026/01 | 8600 |
| 2026/02 | 8900 |
| 2026/03 | 9200 |
| 2026/04 | 9500 |
| 2026/05 | 9800 |
| 2026/06 | 10300 |
| 2026/07 | 10700 |
| 2026/08 | 11100 |
| 2026/09 | 11500 |
Get notified when this changes
Free email alerts when the Atlantic Immigration Program processing time moves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Atlantic Immigration Program take right now?
As of October 9, 2026, IRCC reports a processing time of about 26 months for Atlantic Immigration Program applications, with about 11,500 people waiting.
Do I need a job offer for the Atlantic Immigration Program?
Yes. A full-time job offer from a designated Atlantic employer is the core requirement, along with an endorsement from the province where you will work. Graduates of Atlantic post-secondary institutions can qualify without work experience.
Does AIP require an LMIA?
No. Designated employers are exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment, which is one of the reasons AIP can move faster than comparable employer-driven pathways.