On February 3, 2026, the Government of New Brunswick published and implemented a series of immigration pathway changes on its official website, affecting the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) and New Brunswick’s Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). The measures introduce occupation-based restrictions—particularly for accommodation and food services (NAICS 72)—shift AIP endorsement applications to a candidate-pool model, temporarily halt new AIP employer designation applications, and narrow the scope of endorsement applications tied to job offers for foreign nationals living outside Canada. The province also extended the Private Career College Graduate Pilot to the end of 2026, but only for a defined cohort of currently enrolled international students.

1) NBPNP: NAICS 72 roles no longer considered under two key streams

Under the NBPNP, New Brunswick will no longer consider new Expressions of Interest (EOIs) or issue Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates working in the accommodation and food services sector (NAICS 72) under:

• the New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream; and
• the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream.

However, the province notes that individuals in these types of jobs may still be able to submit an EOI if the business that employs them is not directly classified under NAICS 72—meaning the employer’s industry classification may be a key factor in determining eligibility.

2) NBPNP: Additional occupation-based restrictions

Beyond NAICS 72, New Brunswick stated that it will no longer consider EOIs or issue ITAs for:

• 14 specific occupations under the Skilled Worker Stream (examples cited include cashiers and fish and seafood plant workers); and
• four specific occupations under the Express Entry Stream (examples cited include retail sales supervisors and retail and wholesale butchers).

3) Private Career College Graduate Pilot extended to end-2026 (limited cohort)

New Brunswick is extending the Private Career College Graduate Pilot until the end of 2026, “in a limited capacity,” specifically for international students who:

• are already enrolled in eligible programs at a New Brunswick campus of Oulton College or Eastern College; and
• have program completion timelines that extend beyond the pilot’s original end date.

The pilot launched in September 2022 and was designed as a three-year initiative. The province indicated that once the pilot closes, the NBPNP will no longer issue nominations under this pathway.

4) AIP: Endorsement applications move to a candidate-pool system; new employer designations paused

As of February 3, New Brunswick is moving its AIP endorsement process to a candidate-pool system for endorsement applications submitted by designated employers.

At the same time, the province is temporarily halting the acceptance of new employer designation applications under the AIP. New Brunswick said the pause will allow it to reassess existing designated employers, review program priorities, and ensure alignment with provincial economic needs.

5) AIP: Overseas job offers limited to three priority sectors; eight occupations explicitly excluded

For endorsement applications tied to job offers made to foreign nationals living outside Canada, New Brunswick is limiting consideration to NB-led recruitment initiatives in three sectors:

• Healthcare;
• Education; and
• Construction trades.

Similar to the NBPNP, New Brunswick also stated it will not consider AIP endorsement applications for accommodation and food services positions (NAICS 72). Designated employers not directly classified under NAICS 72 may still be able to submit applications.

In addition, New Brunswick’s AIP explicitly stated it will not consider endorsement applications—regardless of sector—for the following eight occupations:

6) Who is affected

The changes affect both in-Canada and overseas candidates across NBPNP and AIP pathways. Beyond a candidate’s occupation (NOC), employer-related factors—especially the employer’s NAICS classification (with NAICS 72 being a key exclusion), whether the employer is AIP-designated, and whether a role falls within New Brunswick’s current priority sectors—are likely to play a more direct role in determining whether an application can proceed to invitation or endorsement.