The government of Canada published new program delivery instructions (PDIs) on January 12, 2022, regarding the "examination before granting permanent residence, "clarifying that the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) closed on December 31, 2021, with the expiration of the bilateral agreements.
The Ministerial Instructions (MIs) will expire on March 5, 2022, which grants Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) the authority to continue to intake pilot applications until that time. As of March 6, 2022, IRCC will accept permanent residence (PR) applications only under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
Foreign nationals seeking to become permanent residents must either visit an IRCC office in Canada with valid status or present their PR visa at a port of entry (POE) to Canada.
Families accompanying provincial nominee applicants may become permanent residents only when the principal applicant becomes a permanent resident. However, permanent residency cannot be granted to family members of principal applicants before they become permanent residents.
If a permanent resident visa holder is applying for PR status at a POE, they must prove that they still plan to live in the province that has endorsed them. Also applicants who indicate that they intend to relocate and reside in the province where their endorsement is issued, and who meet all other requirements, may apply for permanent residence.