Certain occupations are now restricted in New Brunswick’s updated immigration endorsements under the AIP. Find out about program modifications, alternate routes, and new qualifying requirements.
Additional Limitations on AIP Endorsements
Immediate modifications to endorsements under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) have been announced by the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP). Both companies and foreign workers pursuing permanent residency in Canada will be impacted by the elimination of endorsement eligibility for several occupations.
Jobs No Longer Qualified for Endorsements
In New Brunswick, the following professions are no longer eligible for AIP endorsements:
| Occupation | NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Bookkeepers and accounting technicians | 12200 |
| Assistants in administration | 13110 |
| Receivers and Shippers | 14400 |
| Managers of food service and restaurants | 60030 |
| Supervisors of food service | 62020 |
| Cooks | 63200 |
| Bakers | 63202 |
| Bartenders | 64301 |
| Additional customer service agents | 64409 |
| Food and beverage processing: process control and machine operators | 94140 |
| Employees of fish and seafood plants | 94142 |
Through the AIP, employers will no longer be allowed to assist foreign nationals in certain positions in obtaining permanent residency.
Processing Restrictions for Certain Jobs
Applications for endorsements for certain occupations that were filed prior to February 18, 2025, will still be processed. However, after this date, no more applications will be accepted for the following positions:
| Occupation | NOC Code |
| Managers of retail and wholesale trade | 60020 |
| Supervisors of retail sales | 62010 |
| Visual merchandisers and retail salespeople | 64100 |
| Hotel receptionists | 64314 |
Applicants can anticipate standard processing if they have endorsements that are still waiting before the deadline.
A Comprehensive Overview of the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
An employer-driven route for talented people wishing to relocate to Atlantic Canada is the AIP. In order to be eligible, applicants need to:
- Obtain a job offer in Atlantic Canada from a designated employer.
- Obtain provincial approval for their employment offer.
Benefits of AIP
- Straightforward route to permanent residence (PR).
- eligibility for a work permit for two years.
- quicker turnaround times.
- A Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is not necessary.
- Individualized settlement services are available.
New Brunswick AIP Eligibility
One of the following requirements must be fulfilled by foreign nationals:
- Possess expertise both inside and outside of Canada as a competent worker.
- Be a recent graduate of an Atlantic Canadian post-secondary institution that is recognized.
As of right now, New Brunswick will only accept endorsements from candidates who live outside of Canada in the following sectors:
- Medical Care
- Learning
- Trades in construction
The Reaction of New Brunswick to Immigration Target Cuts
New Brunswick’s allotments have been impacted by the federal Immigration Levels Plan 2025–2027, which drastically decreased admissions for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs):
- 2,750 provincial spaces in total
- Allotments for NBPNP: 1,500
- Allocations for AIP: 1,250
As a result, New Brunswick is giving priority to industries with high demand, such as construction, healthcare, and education.
Effect on PNP and Express Entry Programs
The list of occupations that qualify for the New Brunswick Express Entry stream has also been updated. The NBPNP does not include the following roles:
| Occupation | NOC Code |
| Bookkeepers and accounting technicians | 12200 |
| Assistants in administration | 13110 |
| Managers of retail and wholesale trade | 60020 |
| Managers of food service and restaurants | 60030 |
| Supervisors of retail sales | 62010 |
| Supervisors of food service | 62020 |
| Cooks | 63200 |
| Bakers | 63202 |
If you meet additional requirements, you can still be qualified for the NBPNP Express Entry stream even if your occupation is not on the above list.
Express Entry Pathways in New Brunswick
New Brunswick Pathway Employment: Requires at least 12 months of work experience in the province and a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a business in New Brunswick.
Pathway of New Brunswick Interests: Requires your federal Express Entry profile to have a Letter of Interest from the province.
Other Immigration Choices in New Brunswick
Other options for anyone impacted by these developments to immigrate to New Brunswick are as follows:
Quick Entry: A federal immigration system that uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rate applicants.
Pilot for New Brunswick Critical Workers: A program that links employees with participating companies, including McCain Foods Ltd., Cooke Aquaculture, J.D. Irving Ltd., Groupe Savoie, Groupe Westcon, and Imperial Manufacturing Group.
Next Actions for Potential Candidates
If your line of work is no longer covered by the AIP or NBPNP, you may want to look into other options like:
- increasing your CRS score through, for example, acquiring Canadian job experience or strengthening your language abilities.
- Examining Express Entry draws aimed to applicants who speak French.
- Applying to programs that give priority to industries with high demand.
See the most recent updates from the immigration officials in New Brunswick for additional details.