New Brunswick Stops Endorsements for Certain AIP Occupations

In a significant change to its immigration processes, the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) has announced it will no longer issue endorsements for several occupations under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). This means employers in New Brunswick can no longer support foreign workers in these positions through the AIP pathway.

Impacted Occupations
The following roles are no longer eligible for endorsements under the AIP:

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

Foreign nationals who currently hold job offers in these roles are no longer eligible for AIP endorsements. Additionally, employers seeking to support new candidates in these occupations will need to consider alternative immigration pathways.

Exceptions and Transitional Rules
For a select group of other occupations—such as Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers (NOC 60020) and Retail Sales Supervisors (NOC 62010)—endorsement applications submitted before February 18, 2025, will still be processed. However, no new endorsements will be accepted after this date.

Addressing Immigration Target Reductions
This shift comes in the wake of Canada’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which significantly cut provincial immigration allocations for 2025. New Brunswick’s allocation dropped to just 2,750 spaces, split between 1,500 for the NBPNP and 1,250 for the AIP. To cope with these reduced targets, the province is prioritizing occupations in critical sectors like healthcare, education, and construction—leaving roles in food and beverage processing among the hardest hit.

The Atlantic Immigration Program Explained
The AIP is a pathway for skilled workers and recent graduates to secure permanent residency in Atlantic Canada, including New Brunswick. Candidates need a job offer from a designated employer and a provincial endorsement to apply for permanent residency. The program offers several benefits, such as shorter processing times, direct paths to PR, and no need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

Alternative Immigration Options in New Brunswick
If you’re looking to move to New Brunswick and your occupation is no longer supported under the AIP, there are still other pathways to consider.

• Express Entry: Creating an online profile in the federal system may lead to an invitation for permanent residence based on your CRS score and eligibility under programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).
• New Brunswick PNP Express Entry Stream: This stream provides candidates with a provincial nomination and an additional 600 CRS points, greatly increasing the chances of receiving an ITA.
• New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot: Certain employers in New Brunswick offer a pathway to permanent residency through this pilot, designed for workers in industries like aquaculture and manufacturing.

While these changes may limit options for some, New Brunswick remains a viable destination for those pursuing other high-demand roles or exploring alternative immigration programs.