Big Updates to New Brunswick Immigration Programs

These updates affect the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and two New Brunswick nominee streams: the NB Skilled Worker Stream and the NB Express Entry Stream, with the biggest impact on jobs tied to accommodation and food services. 

Key takeaways (effective February 3, 2026) 

• AIP is no longer first-come, first-served. New Brunswick is using a candidate pool with monthly selections based on labour market priorities.

• New AIP employer designations are paused while the province reviews existing designated employers and program priorities.

• Major occupation restrictions are now in place across AIP, NB Skilled Worker, and NB Express Entry – especially for accommodation and food services (NAICS 72), plus several retail, customer service, and processing roles.

• Overseas AIP recruitment is limited to government-led initiatives in health care, education, and construction trades.

• Applications expire after 365 days if not selected, and you’ll need to reapply with a new complete submission.

• No guaranteed timelines: ImmigrationNB can’t guarantee a decision before a work permit expires, applicants must keep valid status.

• You can’t withdraw an NB nomination or AIP endorsement just to reapply under another New Brunswick stream.

• The Private Career College Graduate Pilot is extended to the end of 2026, but only for some students already enrolled in eligible programs. 

What’s changing in New Brunswick immigration? 

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): How endorsements are processed 

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) endorsement applications in New Brunswick will now be placed into a candidate pool instead of being processed in the order they’re submitted. Each month, the province will choose which applications to move forward based on current labour market needs.  

Applications can stay in the pool for up to 365 days, but if they aren’t selected within that time, they’ll expire, and you’ll need to submit a new, complete application to be considered again. 

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): Pause on new employer designations 

New Brunswick has also temporarily paused new employer designation applications under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). This pause gives Immigration New Brunswick time to review its current list of designated employers and reassess program priorities to better match provincial economic needs. At this time, the province has not said when it will start accepting new employer designation applications again. 

Occupation restrictions across New Brunswick immigration programs (AIP + NBPNP) 

New Brunswick has also tightened eligibility by publishing a list of restricted NOC codes across several immigration pathways. In simple terms, this means that candidates working in these occupations will not be considered for endorsement, an expression of interest, or an invitation to apply under the affected programs. The biggest impact is on jobs tied to accommodation and food services (NAICS 72), along with additional roles in retail, customer service, and some processing occupations. 

These restrictions apply across the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), the New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream, and the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream. For all three programs, candidates in these occupations may still be able to apply if their employer is not directly in NAICS 72. 

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) Restricted NOC codes (effective February 3, 2026) 

Not considered for NAICS 72 (Accommodation & Food Services): 

• NOC 60030 – Restaurant and food service managers 

• NOC 62020 – Food service supervisors 

• NOC 62021 – Executive housekeepers 

• NOC 62024 – Cleaning supervisors 

• NOC 62200 – Chefs 

• NOC 63200 – Cooks 

• NOC 63202 – Bakers 

• NOC 64300 – Maîtres d’hôtel and hosts/hostesses 

• NOC 64301 – Bartenders 

• NOC 64314 – Hotel front desk clerks 

Not considered in any sector (regardless of NAICS): 

• NOC 14400 –Shippers and receivers 

• NOC 60020 – Retail and wholesale trade managers 

• NOC 62010 – Retail sales supervisors 

• NOC 62101 – Retail and wholesale buyers 

• NOC 63201 – Butchers – retail and wholesale 

• NOC 64100 – Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers 

• NOC 64409 – Other customer and information services representatives 

• NOC 94142 – Fish and seafood plant workers 

NB Skilled Worker stream – EOIs & ITAs 

Restricted for establishments categorized as NAICS 72  (Accommodation & Food Services): 

• NOC 60030 – Restaurant and food service managers 

• NOC 62020 – Food service supervisors 

• NOC 62021 – Executive housekeepers 

• NOC 62024 – Cleaning supervisors 

• NOC 62200 – Chefs 

• NOC 63200 – Cooks 

• NOC 63202 – Bakers 

• NOC 64300 – Maîtres d’hôtel and hosts/hostesses 

• NOC 64301 – Bartenders 

• NOC 64314 – Hotel front desk clerks 

• NOC 65200 – Food and beverage servers 

• NOC 65201 – Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, and related occupations 

• NOC 65310 – Light duty cleaners 

Restricted for all establishments (regardless of NAICS): 

• NOC 14400 – Shippers and receivers 

• NOC 60020 – Retail and wholesale trade managers 

• NOC 62010 – Retail sales supervisors 

• NOC 62101 – Retail and wholesale buyers 

• NOC 63201 – Butchers – retail and wholesale 

• NOC 64100 – Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers 

• NOC 64409 – Other customer and information services representatives 

• NOC 65100 – Cashiers 

• NOC 65101 – Service station attendants 

• NOC 65102 – Store shelf stockers, clerks and order fillers
  NOC 65202 – Meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale 

• NOC 94142 – Fish and seafood plant workers 

• NOC 95106 – Labourers in food and beverage processing 

• NOC 95107 – Labourers in fish and seafood processing 

NB Express Entry stream – EOIs & ITAs 

Restricted for all establishments NAICS 72 (Accommodation & Food Services): 

• NOC 60030 – Restaurant and food service managers 

• NOC 62020 – Food service supervisors 

• NOC 62021 – Executive housekeepers 

• NOC 62024 – Cleaning supervisors 

• NOC 62200 – Chefs 

• NOC 63200 – Cooks 

• NOC 63202 – Bakers 

Restricted for all establishments (regardless of NAICS): 

• NOC 60020 – Retail and wholesale trade managers 

• NOC 62010 – Retail sales supervisors 

• NOC 62101 – Retail and wholesale buyers 

• NOC 63201 – Butchers – retail and wholesale 

If you’re applying from outside Canada, overseas recruitment is now limited

If you’re applying from outside Canada, there’s another important limit: New Brunswick will only accept AIP endorsement applications for overseas candidates through GNB-led recruitment initiatives and only in health care, education, and construction trades. 

Private Career College Graduate Pilot extended 

The Private Career College Graduate Pilot has been extended until the end of 2026 in a limited capacity. Only students already enrolled in eligible programs at the following colleges can benefit from this extension. 

Eastern College – eligible programs and occupations 

Education and Social Development 

Child and Youth Care with Addictions Support Worker

• NOC 42201 – Social and community service workers

Early Childhood Education

• NOC 42202 – Early childhood educators and assistants 

Health 

Medical Administrative Specialist

• NOC 13112 – Medical administrative assistants

Personal Support Worker (8-month program)

• NOC 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates

• NOC 44101 – Home support workers, housekeepers, and related occupations 

Oulton College – eligible programs and occupations 

Education and Social Development 

Early Childhood Education / Educational Assistant

• NOC 42202 – Early childhood educators and assistants

• NOC 43100 – Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants

Child and Youth Care / Human Services Counsellor

• NOC 42201 – Social and community service workers 

Health 

Medical Office Administration

• NOC 13112 – Medical administrative assistants

Medical Laboratory Assistant

• NOC 33101 – Medical laboratory technician and pathologist assistants

Medical Laboratory Technology

• NOC 32120 – Medical laboratory technologists

Practical Nurse

• NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurses

Primary Care Paramedic

• NOC 32102 – Paramedic and related occupations 

Why this matters 

These changes show a clear shift in how New Brunswick manages immigration. Instead of processing applications in order, the province is now choosing candidates based on current workforce shortages. For many workers, especially in hospitality, retail, and food services, this means fewer immigration pathways than before. 

If you’re planning to immigrate through New Brunswick, strategy now matters more than speed. Join our community to get New Brunswick and Canada immigration updates delivered to your inbox.