Canada Increases Settlement Funds for Atlantic Immigration Program

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated the settlement funds requirement for the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).

From July 29, 2025, foreign nationals need at least $140 more than last year to qualify for immigration to Canada’s Atlantic provinces through the AIP.

New Settlement Funds Requirement

For a single applicant, the minimum funds required have increased from $3,672 in 2024 to $3,815 in 2025 – an increase of 3.89%.

Applicants who are already working in Canada on a valid work permit do not need to show settlement funds.

Updated Settlement Funds Table (Effective July 29, 2025):

How to Calculate Family Size

When calculating your family size, include:

• Yourself
• Your spouse or common-law partner
• Your dependent children
• Dependent children of your spouse or common-law partner
  
  

You must count your spouse/partner and dependent children even if they are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and even if they are not coming to Canada with you.

Proof of Funds Requirements

To prove you have the required settlement funds, you must provide official letters from your bank or financial institution.

The letter must be:

• Printed on the institution’s letterhead
• Include your name
• Include the institution’s contact details (address, phone number, and email)
• Show any outstanding debts
• Provide account details for each account you hold (account numbers, date opened, current balance, and average balance over the past six months)

You must also prove that you can legally access the funds upon arrival in Canada. You cannot use:

• Real estate equity
• Borrowed money
  
  

If your spouse is accompanying you, you can show funds from a joint account. You can also use an account in your spouse’s name if you prove you can access the money.

About the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The AIP is an employer-driven pathway for foreign workers who want to settle permanently in one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces:

• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island
  
  

To be eligible, you need:

• A job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada
• The job offer endorsed by the province
  
  

You must also be:

• A skilled worker (experience can be inside or outside Canada), or
• A recent graduate from a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada

Other requirements include meeting education, language proficiency, and settlement fund criteria.

Once your job offer is endorsed, you can apply for permanent residence with the federal government. While your PR application is in process, you may be eligible for a special work permit valid for up to two years, allowing you to work in Canada.