Canada Sets 90-Day Deadline for Atlantic Immigration Changes

Canada has introduced a 90-day deadline for certain Atlantic Immigration Program applicants whose jobs or employers change while their permanent residence applications are under review.

Updated instructions from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), dated July 23, 2026, tell officers to request missing supporting documents through a procedural fairness letter. If an applicant does not provide them within the allotted period, the application faces refusal.

Previously, officers could place affected files on hold without a specified deadline.

The rules cover changes in an employer’s ownership, changes to a worker’s role or employment terms, and moves between designated employers.

What Happens When an Employer Changes Ownership?

A change in business ownership now triggers a provincial review of the employer’s designation and the applicant’s endorsement. The province can continue backing the applicant even if the business loses its designated status.

If support continues and the employer is no longer designated, the applicant must provide an official provincial letter confirming that support.

If the employer remains designated, the applicant must submit an updated endorsement and, where applicable, an updated offer of employment.

If the province withdraws its support and revokes the endorsement, IRCC must refuse the permanent residence application.

New Requirements When a Job Changes

Applicants who stay with the same employer but experience changes to wages, occupation, working conditions or a position’s National Occupational Classification or TEER category need updated paperwork.

They must submit a revised provincial endorsement certificate and an updated Offer of Employment form, IMM 0157, using IRCC’s online web form.

If only the job title changes, without changes to employment terms or occupational classification, an officer may decide whether a revised endorsement is needed.

Switching to Another Approved Employer

Applicants switching from one designated Atlantic Immigration Program employer to another must also submit a revised provincial endorsement and updated IMM 0157 form.

The instructions say applicants should promptly tell IRCC about changes.

Where supporting documents are missing, officers put the file on hold for 90 days and issue a letter explaining what is required.

A new permanent residence application is not necessary solely to record these changes.

How the Atlantic Immigration Program Works

The Atlantic Immigration Program provides a route to permanent residence for eligible workers and international graduates planning to live in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island.

Candidates need an eligible full-time offer from a designated employer and provincial endorsement.

They must also meet applicable requirements for work experience, education, language ability and settlement funds.

Work Permit Validity Remains Important

The source article reported a 26-month processing time for these permanent residence applications as of June 2026. With applications taking time, maintaining permission to work can be important.

Eligible applicants can seek a two-year employer-specific work permit while awaiting a decision. Spouses or common-law partners may also qualify for open work permits.

AIP applicants do not qualify for bridging open work permits.

IRCC also warns that employment changes can affect work permit requirements. Applicants must check whether they need a new permit and keep their work authorization valid while their permanent residence file is processed.