New Brunswick’s Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) Intake Closes for 2025

On April 4, 2025, New Brunswick reached its limit for the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). This means no new endorsement applications will be accepted for the rest of the year. Below is a simple explanation of what that means for you and what other options are still available.

What Happened?

• New Brunswick used up its 1,250 AIP spots for 2025 as of April 4.
• Any endorsement applications submitted after April 4 will not be approved.
• No new employers will be designated under New Brunswick’s AIP for the remainder of 2025.
• Applications submitted on or before April 4 will still be processed as normal.

Can I Still Apply Through Other Atlantic Provinces?

If you’re interested in the AIP, you can still apply for permanent residence (PR) through:

1. Newfoundland and Labrador
2. Nova Scotia
3. Prince Edward Island (PEI)

These provinces still have space in their AIP quotas for 2025. However, some occupation restrictions apply:

• Nova Scotia: All National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes are accepted except NOC 62020 (food service supervisors).
• Prince Edward Island: Only workers in healthcare, construction, and manufacturing are eligible.
• Newfoundland and Labrador: Currently no announced limitations.

Why Did New Brunswick Close Early?

1. Earlier Closure Than 2024: This year’s AIP cap was reached over five months sooner than in 2024.
2. Occupation Restrictions: In February, New Brunswick had already stopped endorsing certain occupations due to growing demand.
3. Reduced Allocations: The federal government cut provincial immigration allocations by 50% in 2025, following the lower PR targets in Canada’s 2025-27 Immigration Levels Plan.
4. Fewer Spots: With fewer available spots, New Brunswick had to limit which occupations qualified under the AIP, causing the cap to be reached faster.

How the Atlantic Immigration Program Works

The AIP is designed to help skilled foreign workers and international graduates who want to live and work in Atlantic Canada. It’s an employer-driven program, meaning:

1. Employers must get designated by their provincial government.
2. Once designated, they can submit an endorsement application for the foreign worker they want to hire.
3. If approved, the foreign worker gets a Certificate of Endorsement.
4. The candidate can then apply for permanent residency with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Temporary Work Permit Option

Under the AIP, applicants can also apply for a temporary work permit while waiting for a decision on their PR application. This permit is job-specific and linked to the designated employer.

Current Processing Time: IRCC typically processes AIP PR applications in about 11 months.

Other Pathways If You Don’t Qualify for the AIP

Even if the AIP isn’t an option for you right now—either because New Brunswick is closed or you don’t meet the requirements—Atlantic Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) may still offer opportunities for skilled workers.