Maple News reports that New Brunswick has announced a significant update to its participation in the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), with immediate and upcoming changes affecting several occupations. Effective immediately, the province will no longer consider endorsement applications for 12 specific occupations under the AIP. This decision impacts both employers and foreign nationals aiming to leverage this program for permanent residency in Canada.
The affected occupations include roles such as administrative assistants (NOC 13110), accounting technicians and bookkeepers (NOC 12200), food service supervisors (NOC 62020), cooks (NOC 63200), and several others in the hospitality, shipping, and manufacturing sectors. Without a provincial endorsement, which is a critical component of the AIP, applicants with job offers in these roles will be ineligible to apply for permanent residency through the program in New Brunswick.
In addition to the immediate changes, the province has outlined a second list of occupations that will see a phased discontinuation. For these roles, including retail and wholesale trade managers (NOC 60020), hotel front desk clerks (NOC 64314), and retail salespersons (NOC 64100), New Brunswick will continue to process endorsement applications only if they were received before February 18, 2025. Any new endorsement requests for these positions submitted after that date will not be accepted.
New Brunswick’s decision to restrict AIP endorsements for certain jobs may reflect shifting labour market priorities, including a focus on high-demand and long-term growth industries. The Atlantic Immigration Program is designed to address specific regional labour shortages and connect foreign nationals with designated employers in Atlantic Canada who offer long-term, full-time employment.
To qualify for permanent residency through the AIP, foreign nationals must first secure a valid job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces, followed by a provincial endorsement, which acts as a formal approval of the offer and applicant. Without one, candidates cannot move forward with their federal PR submission.
Employers and workers who currently have applications under review should rest assured—applications submitted before the February 18, 2025 deadline will be processed according to existing guidelines. However, those planning to apply in the affected occupations must consider alternative pathways or expedited submissions where relevant.
Maple News will continue to monitor updates to the Atlantic Immigration Program and other provincial immigration streams as Canada adapts its immigration strategies to evolving economic and labour market needs.