New Brunswick Suspends AIP Nominations for Certain Occupations

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) announced that, effective immediately, it will suspend nominations for certain occupations under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). This means that applications for the following occupations will no longer be considered, and foreign nationals will not be able to obtain Canadian permanent residency through the AIP program:

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

According to the new regulations, foreign nationals intending to apply for permanent residency through the AIP who hold jobs in the above categories will no longer be able to obtain nomination through the program. Employers in New Brunswick will also be unable to provide immigration nominations for these positions.

Nomination for Some Occupations Still Valid

However, for certain occupations, if the nomination application was submitted before February 18, 2025, the provincial nominee program will continue to process these applications. But starting February 18, 2025, nomination applications for the following occupations will no longer be accepted:

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

Facing the Challenge of Immigration Target Reductions

In 2025, the Canadian federal government announced a reduction in the immigration quotas for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). New Brunswick will only receive 2,750 immigration spots this year, with 1,500 spots allocated to the Provincial Nominee Program (NB PNP) and 1,250 spots allocated to the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). In response to this limitation, New Brunswick has decided to prioritize immigration applications in the healthcare, education, and construction sectors, while the food and beverage industry will be more significantly impacted.

Overview of the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The Atlantic Immigration Program is an employer-driven immigration pathway for skilled workers wishing to settle in Canada’s Atlantic provinces, including New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The program’s benefits include direct applications for permanent residency, a two-year work permit qualification, shorter processing times, work permits without requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), and personalized settlement services.

Other Immigration Pathways: Federal Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program

Applicants affected by this policy change can consider the following alternative immigration pathways:

• Federal Express Entry: Applicants can create an online profile through the Federal Express Entry system, which may lead to an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency. The Federal Express Entry system ranks candidates based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which scores candidates based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language ability. Applicants with higher CRS scores or who meet specific criteria, such as French language proficiency, may have a higher chance of receiving an ITA.
• New Brunswick Express Entry (NB PNP Express Entry): If applicants have lower CRS scores but meet Express Entry criteria, they can apply for provincial nomination through the NB PNP Express Entry, which would provide an additional 600 CRS points upon successful nomination.
• New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot Program (NB Critical Worker Pilot): Applicants may also seek permanent residency through the New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot Program, a five-year initiative designed to connect candidates with specific industry experience to employers in need.

Conclusion

As Canada adjusts its immigration policies, New Brunswick is actively adjusting and optimizing the implementation of its Provincial Nominee Program and Atlantic Immigration Program to address the reduction in immigration targets. Although certain occupations are no longer supported, immigration applications in other sectors remain a priority in the four Atlantic provinces. For foreign nationals interested in immigrating to New Brunswick, staying informed about the latest immigration policies and opportunities will be key.