AIP Settlement Plan: What It Is, Who Does It, and What to Expect

Every Canadian immigration program requires you to submit documents. The Atlantic Immigration Program requires something different: a meeting. Before the provincial endorsement application can be submitted, you must complete a needs assessment with an approved Settlement Service Provider Organization (SPO), resulting in a written settlement plan. It's mandatory, it's unique to the AIP, and it's not something you can prepare for the same way you'd prepare a document checklist.

Here's what the settlement plan actually is and how to approach it.

Why the AIP Requires a Settlement Plan

The settlement plan requirement reflects the program's philosophy. The AIP isn't just moving workers into jobs — it's designed to retain newcomers in Atlantic communities long-term. The mandatory plan ensures that every principal applicant arrives with a clear support structure rather than discovering what services are available after they've moved.

This is one reason AIP retention rates are so high. Research on the original pilot showed 94% of principal applicants still residing in their province of landing after year one, compared to 88% for PNP-Express Entry arrivals. The settlement infrastructure is part of why.

What SPOs Are

Settlement Service Provider Organizations are non-profit or government-funded organizations approved by IRCC to conduct needs assessments. They are not consultants, not government offices, and not lawyers. They provide integration support — not immigration advice.

Examples by province:

• Nova Scotia: ISANS (Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia)
• New Brunswick: YMCA South Western New Brunswick, multicultural associations, CAFI (for Francophone newcomers)
• PEI: Immigrant & Refugee Services Association PEI (IRSA), other community organizations
• Newfoundland: Association for New Canadians (ANC)

IRCC maintains an official list of approved SPOs for the AIP. When in doubt, use this list — not all settlement agencies are approved specifically for the AIP needs assessment process.

Pre-arrival SPOs: If you are outside Canada when you submit your endorsement application, you don't have to wait until you arrive to complete the assessment. Organizations like S.U.C.C.E.S.S. (based in British Columbia) and the YMCA operate pre-arrival service programs that can conduct the intake virtually for AIP applicants abroad.

What the Needs Assessment Covers

The formal name is NAARS — Needs and Assets Assessment and Referral Services. The intake is a structured conversation about your integration needs and existing resources. It is not a pass/fail interview. The SPO is there to help, not to evaluate your suitability for Canada.

Topics typically covered:

Housing. Where will you live when you arrive? Do you have housing arranged, or do you need help finding options? This is particularly relevant in tight markets like Charlottetown (PEI) and Halifax (NS). Candidates who have done some preliminary housing research before the meeting can demonstrate they've thought about this.

Language training. If your English or French proficiency is below CLB 5, the SPO will refer you to free language training programs available in the province. Even if your language is adequate for work, the SPO may flag additional conversational support programs available in your community.

Education and childcare. If you have children, the SPO will provide information on school enrollment and childcare access. This becomes part of the family's settlement plan.

Healthcare access. How to register for provincial health coverage, find a family doctor, and access mental health services. Wait times for a family physician are long in Atlantic Canada — understanding this before arrival is useful.

Employment supports. Even though you have a job offer, the SPO may identify additional credential recognition pathways (important for regulated professions like nursing or engineering) or professional networking resources in your field.

Community orientation. Local services, transportation, cultural and recreational organizations, and newcomer-specific groups.

What to Bring

Bring documentation that helps the SPO understand your full situation:

• Passport (and those of accompanying family members)
• Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF)
• Educational credentials and ECA report (if you have one)
• Your job offer letter and the IMM 0157 form
• Information about your family members (ages, whether they'll accompany you)
• If relevant: professional credentials, trade certifications, or occupational licenses

The SPO doesn't need all your immigration documents — they're not reviewing your application. They need enough context to accurately identify what supports you'll need.

The Settlement Plan Document

After the intake, the SPO produces a written settlement plan. This document outlines:

• Your household profile (who's coming with you)
• The needs identified during assessment
• The specific services and referrals recommended
• Next steps for both you and the employer

Your employer must co-sign this plan, acknowledging they've reviewed it and commit to supporting the goals identified. This is the employer's formal settlement commitment — one of the conditions of their designation.

Once co-signed, the settlement plan is included in the provincial endorsement application. A missing or unsigned plan results in automatic refusal of the endorsement.

What the Employer Co-Signature Actually Means

Employers sometimes ask what they're committing to when they co-sign a settlement plan. The practical implications:

• They agree to connect you with the services recommended in the plan (or help you access them)
• They agree to support your preferred official language in workplace communications
• For TEER 4 roles specifically: if your PR application is refused, the employer is responsible for your return travel costs

The co-signature is a legal acknowledgment of responsibility, not just an administrative step. Employers who treat it casually and then fail to provide any settlement support can face compliance scrutiny from the province.

Family Members Over 18

If you're bringing a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent over age 18, they must also participate in the needs assessment. They don't need separate plan documents, but their needs must be reflected in the joint plan — particularly employment intentions and language support if applicable.

The open work permit eligibility for spouses depends on the principal applicant's TEER level. If you're in a TEER 0–3 role, your spouse can typically get an open work permit. For TEER 4 roles, the spouse's open work permit eligibility is tied to the principal applicant being on an active PR pathway — which the AIP endorsement provides.

Common Settlement Plan Mistakes

Not bringing the employer's contact details. The SPO needs to coordinate with the employer to finalize the plan and obtain co-signature. Missing employer information extends the timeline.

Failing to mention family members. If your spouse or dependents are accompanying you but aren't mentioned in the needs assessment, the plan will be incomplete.

Not following up on co-signature. It's the applicant's responsibility to ensure the employer receives, reviews, and signs the plan. Employers sometimes delay this if they're not familiar with the process.

Using a non-approved SPO. Not every settlement organization is approved for the AIP NAARS assessment. Confirm the SPO is on IRCC's current approved list before booking.

For details on province-specific SPOs, what to expect during each province's endorsement review of the settlement plan, and how to coordinate the settlement process with your employer, the Canada Atlantic Immigration Program Guide covers this in full.