Maple News reports that New Brunswick has announced a series of significant changes to its immigration pathways, directly impacting applicants under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). These updates, effective February 3, 2026, aim to better align immigration with the province’s evolving labour market needs.
One of the most notable changes is the exclusion of applicants in the accommodation and food services sector (categorized under NAICS 72) from eligibility under both the NBPNP Skilled Worker and Express Entry streams. As a result, individuals currently employed in restaurant and hospitality-related roles—such as chefs (NOC 62200), cooks (63200), food service supervisors (62020), and hotel front desk clerks (64314)—will no longer be considered for nomination under these streams.
Additionally, New Brunswick will not accept Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from 14 occupations under the Skilled Worker Stream and four under the Express Entry Stream. These roles include retail sales supervisors, seafood plant workers, and cashiers, reflecting a broader shift to prioritize high-demand sectors.
Under the AIP, the province has introduced a candidate pool system for endorsement applications and will temporarily restrict new employer designation submissions. Furthermore, endorsement applications for certain positions offered to overseas candidates will be limited in three unspecified sectors. The province also announced it will no longer accept AIP endorsements for several jobs such as shippers and receivers, as well as retail and wholesale buyers.
In a positive move for international graduates, New Brunswick is extending its Private Career College Graduate Pilot until the end of 2026. This initiative supports the pathway to permanent residence for eligible foreign students who have completed specific training in the province.
According to Maple News, these measures reflect a broader trend seen across several provinces where regional governments are refining provincial nominee criteria to fill critical shortages and manage economic immigration responsibly.
The Government of New Brunswick released full details of these changes on its official channels on February 3, 2026. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the updated requirements before submitting new EOIs or employer designation applications.
These regulatory updates underscore New Brunswick’s commitment to adapting immigration to meet labour market realities while maintaining pathways for international students and highly skilled workers.