New Brunswick Limits Endorsements for Certain Occupations in AIP Amid Immigration Adjustments

In a significant shift, the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) has announced that it will no longer consider endorsing applications for a range of occupations under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). Effective immediately, the province has halted endorsements for positions across various sectors, primarily impacting industries such as food service, retail, and administrative roles.

List of Occupations Affected by Endorsement Suspension

The following occupations will no longer be eligible for endorsement under the AIP:

• Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers (NOC Code 12200)
• Administrative Assistants (NOC Code 13110)
• Shippers and Receivers (NOC Code 14400)
• Restaurant and Food Service Managers (NOC Code 60030)
• Food Service Supervisors (NOC Code 62020)
• Cooks (NOC Code 63200)
• Bakers (NOC Code 63202)
• Bartenders (NOC Code 64301)
• Other Customer Representatives (NOC Code 64409)
• Process Control and Machine Operators – Food and Beverage Processing (NOC Code 94140)
• Fish and Seafood Plant Workers (NOC Code 94142)

This change means that employers in New Brunswick seeking to support foreign workers for permanent residency under the AIP can no longer endorse these positions. As a result, foreign nationals with job offers in these sectors will be unable to apply for permanent residency through this pathway.

Transitional Measures for Endorsements Submitted Before February 18, 2025

For applications already in the pipeline, the NBPNP will continue to process endorsements for certain roles, provided the endorsement applications were submitted before February 18, 2025. However, after this date, no new endorsement applications will be accepted for the following occupations:

• Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers (NOC Code 60020)
• Retail Sales Supervisors (NOC Code 62010)
• Retail Salespersons and Visual Merchandisers (NOC Code 64100)
• Hotel Front Desk Clerks (NOC Code 64314)

Employers and foreign nationals who have already submitted endorsement applications for these positions before the cut-off date can expect their applications to be processed as usual.

Provincial Immigration Adjustments and AIP Changes

These changes come in response to broader adjustments within New Brunswick’s provincial immigration system. As part of the federal government’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2025-2027, the number of available spaces for Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) was drastically reduced. For 2025, New Brunswick’s allocation has been reduced by 50%, with only 2,750 spaces available for provincial immigration this year. These are split between the NBPNP (1,500 spaces) and the AIP (1,250 spaces).

In light of this, New Brunswick is adjusting its immigration priorities to focus on key sectors, such as healthcare, education, and construction, which are essential to the province’s economic growth. These changes have had a significant impact on the food and beverage sector, with several job categories in that field now excluded from the AIP.

What is the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)?

The AIP is a pathway for skilled workers who wish to immigrate to one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces—New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. To qualify, foreign nationals must receive a job offer from a designated employer in one of these provinces. The program is employer-driven, meaning employers must endorse the job offer for the worker to be eligible for permanent residency.

There are numerous advantages to applying through the AIP, including:

• Direct access to Permanent Residency
• Eligibility for a two-year work permit
• Faster processing times
• Exemption from the LMIA requirement (Labor Market Impact Assessment)
• Personalized settlement services to help newcomers adjust to life in Canada.

Who Can Apply for the AIP?

To be eligible for the AIP, foreign nationals must meet the following criteria:

• Have a job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces.
• Be either a skilled worker (whether their experience is inside Canada or abroad), or a recent graduate from a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada.

Currently, New Brunswick will only accept endorsement applications for foreign nationals in the following sectors:

• Healthcare
• Education
• Construction Trades

Other Immigration Options for New Brunswick

While the AIP has seen significant restrictions, there are alternative pathways for foreign nationals looking to immigrate to New Brunswick. These include:

Express Entry Program

The Express Entry system allows skilled workers to apply for permanent residency directly with the Canadian federal government. Applicants are ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which evaluates factors like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.

New Brunswick Express Entry Stream

For candidates with a lower CRS score, the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream provides an opportunity to gain 600 additional CRS points, boosting the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Have a full-time, non-seasonal job or job offer from a New Brunswick employer.
• Have lived and worked in New Brunswick for at least 12 months.

New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot Program

The Critical Worker Pilot is a five-year initiative that connects workers with experience in specific sectors to employers in New Brunswick. Eligible candidates must have a job offer from one of the participating employers, such as Cooke Aquaculture, McCain Foods, or J.D. Irving Ltd.

Looking Ahead: Navigating New Immigration Paths

In light of these changes, the future of New Brunswick’s immigration strategy will be increasingly shaped by the province’s focus on key sectors and prioritizing specific occupations in healthcare, education, and construction. While the adjustments may present challenges for certain industries, they also open new opportunities for those with skills in high-demand sectors.

Foreign nationals interested in pursuing permanent residency through New Brunswick’s immigration programs are encouraged to explore various options and stay informed about changes in eligibility requirements.

For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!