New Brunswick overhauls provincial immigration pathways
The Government of New Brunswick has implemented numerous changes to its provincial immigration programs, including restrictions on occupations eligible for consideration, a new application consideration model, and a pilot extension.
These updates will affect both in-Canada and overseas candidates of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) and New Brunswick’s Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
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As of February 3, 2026, New Brunswick will
No longer consider Expressions of Interest (EOIs) or issue invitations under the NBPNP for those employed in the accommodation and food services sector for its Express Entry and Skilled Worker streams;
No longer consider EOIS or issue invitations to those employed in 14 specific occupations under its Skilled Worker Stream, including cashiers and fish and seafood plant workers;
No longer consider EOIs or issue invitations to those employed in four specific occupations under its Express Entry stream, including retail sales supervisors and retail and wholesale butchers;
No longer accept endorsement applications for those employed in the accommodation and food services sector under the NB AIP;
No longer accept endorsement applications for eight occupations under the NB AIP, including shippers and receivers and retail and wholesale buyers;
Move to a candidate pool system for AIP endorsement applications;
Temporarily restrict the acceptance of new employer designation applications under the AIP;
Limit endorsement applications for positions given to overseas candidates in three sectors; and
Extend its Private Career College Graduate Pilot through to the end of 2026 for certain international students.
New Brunswick released these updates on its official website on February 3.
Changes to the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program
The NBPNP will no longer be accepting new EOIs or issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for those specifically working in the accommodation and food services sector (NAICS 72) under its
New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream; and
New Brunswick Express Entry Stream.
The Government of New Brunswick does note, however, that individuals in these types of jobs may still submit an EOI if the business that employs them does not directly fall under the accommodation and food services sector (NAICS 72).
Beyond restrictions on professionals in the accommodation and food services sector, the following National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes, regardless of sector, will no longer have their EOIs considered or be issued an ITA.
OccupationNOC code
*Butchers – retail and wholesale63201
Cashiers65100
Fish and seafood plant workers94142
Labourers in fish and seafood processing95107
Labourers in food and beverage processing95106
Meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale65202
Other customer and information services representatives64409
*Retail and wholesale buyers62101
*Retail and wholesale trade managers60020
*Retail sales supervisors62010
Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers64100
Service station attendants65101
Shippers and receivers14400
Store shelf stockers, clerks and order fillers65102
*Under the Express Entry stream, only these occupations are facing restrictions (beyond the aforementioned NAICS 72 limitations).
Extension of the Private Career College Graduate Pilot
The NBPNP is extending the Private Career College Graduate Pilot until the end of 2026, “in a limited capacity,” specifically for international students already enrolled in eligible programs of study at a NB campus of either Oulton College or Eastern College, whose completion timelines extend beyond the pilot’s original end date.
This program was originally launched in September 2022 and meant to be a three-year pilot. Following its closure, the NBPNP will no longer be issuing nominations under this pilot.
Eligible programs of study at each college include:
Changes to New Brunswick’s Atlantic Immigration Program
As of February 3, the NB is *moving its AIP to a candidate pool system for endorsement applications submitted by designated employers.
Additionally, the province is temporarily halting the acceptance of new employer designation applications until it has a chance to reassess existing designated employers, evaluate program priorities, and ensure alignment with provincial economic needs.
At this time, endorsement applications for job offers made to foreign nationals living outside Canada are being limited to NB-led recruitment initiatives in
Healthcare;
Education; and
Construction trades.
Much like for the NBPNP, New Brunswick has stated it will specifically not consider any endorsement applications under the AIP for accommodation and food services positions, though designated employers not directly in this sector (NAICS 72) may still submit applications.
The NB AIP also explicitly stated that, regardless of sector, it will not consider endorsement applications for the following eight occupations.
OccupationNOC code
Butchers – retail and wholesale63201
Fish and seafood plant workers94142
Retail and wholesale trade managers60020
Retail sales supervisors62010
Retail and wholesale buyers62101
Shippers and receivers 14400
Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers 64100
Other customer and information services representatives 64409
* CIC News has contacted the Government of New Brunswick to clarify how current endorsement applications under the AIP will be handled following the transition to the new candidate pool system, but as of this time we have not received a response. This article will be updated as more details become available.
