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).
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.
| Occupation | NOC code |
|---|---|
| *Butchers – retail and wholesale | 63201 |
| Cashiers | 65100 |
| Fish and seafood plant workers | 94142 |
| Labourers in fish and seafood processing | 95107 |
| Labourers in food and beverage processing | 95106 |
| Meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale | 65202 |
| Other customer and information services representatives | 64409 |
| *Retail and wholesale buyers | 62101 |
| *Retail and wholesale trade managers | 60020 |
| *Retail sales supervisors | 62010 |
| Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers | 64100 |
| Service station attendants | 65101 |
| Shippers and receivers | 14400 |
| Store shelf stockers, clerks and order fillers | 65102 |
*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.
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.
| Occupation | NOC code |
|---|---|
| Butchers – retail and wholesale | 63201 |
| Fish and seafood plant workers | 94142 |
| Retail and wholesale trade managers | 60020 |
| Retail sales supervisors | 62010 |
| Retail and wholesale buyers | 62101 |
| Shippers and receivers | 14400 |
| Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers | 64100 |
| Other customer and information services representatives | 64409 |
