New Brunswick has introduced significant changes to the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), suspending endorsements for several occupations due to reduced provincial immigration allocations for 2025. The decision aligns with the province’s revised priorities, emphasizing sectors such as healthcare, education, and construction. This policy shift directly impacts both employers seeking to hire foreign workers and candidates planning to immigrate to New Brunswick under AIP.
Occupations No Longer Eligible for AIP Endorsement
Effective immediately, the following occupations have been removed from New Brunswick’s AIP endorsement list, meaning foreign workers in these roles can no longer obtain provincial support for permanent residency:
| Occupation | NOC Code |
| Accounting technicians and bookkeepers | 12200 |
| Administrative assistants | 13110 |
| Shippers and receivers | 14400 |
| Restaurant and food service managers | 60030 |
| Food service supervisors | 62020 |
| Cooks | 63200 |
| Bakers | 63202 |
| Bartenders | 64301 |
| Other customer service representatives | 64409 |
| Process control and machine operators – food and beverage processing | 94140 |
| Fish and seafood plant workers | 94142 |
Employers can no longer use the AIP to support permanent residency applications for these occupations.
Limited Endorsements for Select Occupations Until February 18, 2025
Some occupations remain eligible for AIP endorsements only if applications were submitted before February 18, 2025. After this deadline, no further endorsements will be processed for the following roles:
| Occupation | NOC Code |
| Retail and wholesale trade managers | 60020 |
| Retail sales supervisors | 62010 |
| Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers | 64100 |
| Hotel front desk clerks | 64314 |
Applications submitted after this date will be automatically rejected.
Reason for the AIP Endorsement Suspensions
The suspension of endorsements for certain occupations follows adjustments made under Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027, which significantly reduced provincial immigration allocations.
New Brunswick’s total provincial immigration quota for 2025 has been set at 2,750 spaces, distributed as follows:
- New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP): 1,500 spots
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): 1,250 spots
With a reduced allocation, the province is refocusing immigration efforts on sectors experiencing critical labor shortages, including healthcare, education, and construction.
Understanding the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is an employer-driven pathway designed to attract skilled foreign workers and international graduates to Atlantic Canada. Key benefits of AIP include:
- Direct pathway to permanent residency
- Option for a two-year work permit
- Faster processing times compared to other streams
- No Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement
- Personalized settlement support for newcomers
To qualify, candidates must have a valid job offer from a designated employer in an Atlantic province. With these recent changes, job offers in food service, retail, and administrative roles will no longer be considered for endorsement in New Brunswick.
Alternative Immigration Pathways for New Brunswick
Foreign workers affected by these restrictions still have various pathways to apply for permanent residency in New Brunswick.
1. Express Entry System
Candidates meeting eligibility criteria can apply for permanent residency through Canada’s Express Entry system, which ranks applicants based on factors such as education, work experience, age, and language proficiency.
Individuals with a lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score can improve their chances by:
- Enhancing language proficiency, particularly in French
- Gaining additional Canadian work experience
- Securing a provincial nomination through NBPNP
2. New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
Candidates with a connection to New Brunswick may qualify for the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream, which provides a 600-point CRS boost upon receiving a provincial nomination. However, some occupations have also been excluded from this program, including:
| Occupation | NOC Code |
| Accounting technicians and bookkeepers | 12200 |
| Administrative assistants | 13110 |
| Retail and wholesale trade managers | 60020 |
| Restaurant and food service managers | 60030 |
| Retail sales supervisors | 62010 |
| Food service supervisors | 62020 |
| Cooks | 63200 |
| Bakers | 63202 |
Applicants in these occupations will need to explore other immigration pathways.
3. New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot
An alternative option is the New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot, a five-year employer-driven program that provides a pathway to permanent residency. This program is available for candidates with job offers from the following designated employers:
- Cooke Aquaculture
- J.D. Irving Ltd.
- Groupe Savoie
- Groupe Westco
- Imperial Manufacturing Group
- McCain Foods Ltd.
Candidates must secure a job offer from one of these companies to apply.
Key Takeaways
- New Brunswick has suspended AIP endorsements for several occupations due to immigration allocation reductions.
- Retail, food service, and administrative occupations are among those affected.
- Some endorsements remain available until February 18, 2025, for select occupations.
- Alternative pathways, including Express Entry, NBPNP, and the Critical Worker Pilot, remain open for eligible candidates.
With these policy changes, foreign nationals and employers should explore alternative immigration options and remain informed about updates to New Brunswick’s immigration programs.
As immigration policies evolve, staying updated with official IRCC announcements is crucial. The Canada Time keeps you informed with the latest Canadian immigration updates.
