What is a settlement plan and why does an Atlantic Immigration Program employer need one?

A settlement plan is a document prepared together with a provincial settlement service provider organization that outlines how a candidate and their family will adjust to life and work in their new Atlantic province community. It generally covers practical matters such as housing, employment support, and connecting with local services, and it is meant to give both the candidate and the receiving community a realistic sense of what settling in will actually involve.

The requirement exists because employer designation under the Atlantic Immigration Program comes with a broader commitment to support newcomers, not just to extend a job offer. A settlement plan is part of how that commitment gets put into practice for each individual candidate and family, rather than being left as an informal or optional step in the process. It is generally arranged in coordination with the designated employer and the provincial settlement organization, not something the candidate is expected to arrange entirely alone.

Because program requirements around settlement plans, and the organizations that provide them, can be adjusted over time, confirm the current process directly with the relevant provincial settlement service, IRCC's published guidance, or an immigration lawyer before assuming that a plan completed previously would still meet current expectations.