On This Page You Will Find
- Which four retail occupations have regained access to the Atlantic Immigration Program
- How September’s changes reopened immigration opportunities for hospitality workers
- Which occupations remain excluded from the program
- Why restrictions on overseas applicants remain in place
- How the employer designation pause affects applications
- What workers and employers need to qualify for permanent residence
New Brunswick has expanded access to the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), removing restrictions on several retail occupations just one month after reopening the pathway to more hospitality workers.
The latest changes, which took effect on October 14, 2026, allow employers to seek provincial endorsement for candidates working in four additional occupations, including retail sales supervisors, retail managers and salespersons.
The province has reduced its list of specifically excluded occupations from eight to four, continuing a gradual easing of restrictions introduced earlier this year.
The announcement follows a September 14 decision to remove a blanket restriction on AIP endorsement applications involving workers in the accommodation and food services sector.
However, the changes do not amount to a complete reopening of the program. New Brunswick continues to restrict applications involving workers outside Canada and has maintained a pause on new employer designation applications until the end of 2026.
The Government of New Brunswick also warns that meeting the program’s eligibility requirements does not guarantee an application will be selected for processing.
Four More Retail Occupations Become Eligible
Effective October 14, Immigration New Brunswick removed four occupations from its AIP exclusion list.
The decision means designated employers can once again submit endorsement applications for eligible candidates working in these occupations.
| NOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 60020 | Retail and wholesale trade managers |
| 62010 | Retail sales supervisors |
| 62101 | Retail and wholesale buyers |
| 64100 | Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers |
These occupations were previously excluded from the provincial endorsement process, preventing affected workers from accessing the AIP through New Brunswick even if they met the federal program’s general eligibility requirements.
Their removal opens new opportunities for workers in retail and wholesale businesses, particularly those already employed in the province.
However, applicants must still meet federal immigration requirements, secure a qualifying job offer from a designated employer and receive provincial endorsement.
September Changes Reopened Pathway For Hospitality Workers
The latest announcement builds on changes introduced on September 14, when New Brunswick removed its blanket AIP restriction covering the accommodation and food services sector.
The restriction had prevented designated employers from seeking endorsements for workers across the sector, regardless of whether individual occupations otherwise met federal eligibility requirements.
Its removal means more workers in hotels, restaurants and other hospitality businesses can now be considered for endorsement.
Occupations such as chefs, cooks, bakers, hotel front desk clerks and certain hospitality service positions may qualify, provided they meet the program’s federal requirements and are not specifically excluded by the province.
The distinction is important because New Brunswick continues to exclude restaurant and food service managers and food service supervisors.
The September change therefore reopened the program to parts of the hospitality industry without removing restrictions on every occupation within the sector.
Combined with the October 14 decision, the two changes represent a broader easing of New Brunswick’s AIP eligibility rules after restrictions earlier in 2026.
Which Occupations Remain Excluded?
Following the October changes, New Brunswick specifically excludes just four occupations from AIP endorsement applications.
| NOC code | Restricted occupation |
|---|---|
| 14400 | Shippers and receivers |
| 60030 | Restaurant and food service managers |
| 62020 | Food service supervisors |
| 94142 | Fish and seafood plant workers |
Workers in these occupations remain ineligible for endorsement under New Brunswick’s AIP restrictions.
The province also confirms that occupations classified under Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category 5 are not eligible for the Atlantic Immigration Program.
This is a separate federal eligibility requirement and continues to apply regardless of the provincial changes.
As a result, removing an occupation from New Brunswick’s exclusion list does not necessarily mean every worker in that sector can qualify.
For example, some entry-level hospitality and retail positions fall under TEER 5 and therefore remain outside the program.
Overseas Applicants Still Face Major Restrictions
Although New Brunswick has expanded occupational eligibility, significant restrictions remain for candidates living outside Canada.
The province continues to limit AIP endorsement applications involving foreign nationals residing overseas to government-led recruitment initiatives in three sectors:
- Health care
- Education
- Construction
This means overseas candidates generally cannot access the expanded retail and hospitality opportunities through ordinary employer recruitment.
The restriction applies even when an occupation is no longer on the provincial exclusion list.
For example, a retail supervisor already working in New Brunswick may now be eligible for endorsement consideration through a designated employer.
However, a retail supervisor living overseas would generally remain excluded unless the application falls within an eligible government-led recruitment initiative.
The distinction means the latest changes are likely to provide the greatest immediate benefit to temporary foreign workers and other eligible candidates already living in Canada.
New Employer Designation Applications Remain Paused
Another major restriction remains in place despite the expanded occupational eligibility.
New Brunswick has confirmed that it will not accept new employer designation applications under the Atlantic Immigration Program for the remainder of 2026.
The province introduced the continued pause on September 14 to reassess existing designated employers and ensure the program aligns with its economic and immigration priorities.
Under the AIP, employers must obtain provincial designation before they can use the program to recruit and support foreign workers.
Designation is separate from endorsement.
A designated employer must submit an endorsement application for an eligible candidate and qualifying job offer before the worker can proceed with an AIP permanent residence application.
Because new employer designation applications remain paused, the expanded eligibility will primarily benefit candidates who have job offers from businesses that already hold New Brunswick AIP designation.
Businesses that have not obtained designation cannot immediately take advantage of the changes by submitting new designation applications.
This limits the practical impact of the October announcement, particularly for retail and hospitality employers hoping to join the program for the first time.
Meeting Eligibility Requirements Does Not Guarantee Selection
New Brunswick has also maintained a selective approach to endorsement applications because demand continues to exceed its available immigration allocation.
The provincial government says it cannot guarantee that every eligible endorsement application will be selected for processing.
Instead, it prioritizes candidates who demonstrate strong prospects for long-term economic establishment and retention in New Brunswick.
The main selection factors include:
- The length of time a candidate has worked in New Brunswick
- Evidence of economic establishment and ties to the province
- Employment or a job offer in a priority sector, particularly health care, education or construction
This means retail and hospitality workers who have regained eligibility may still face competition for the province’s limited endorsement capacity.
A qualifying occupation and job offer are necessary, but they do not automatically secure provincial approval.
Workers with established employment histories and stronger connections to New Brunswick may be better positioned under the province’s selection priorities.
How The Atlantic Immigration Program Works
The Atlantic Immigration Program provides a pathway to permanent residence for eligible skilled workers and international graduates who want to live and work in Atlantic Canada.
It operates in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Unlike Express Entry, the AIP is employer-driven and requires candidates to obtain a qualifying job offer from an employer designated by the province.
Applicants must generally meet several requirements, including:
- A qualifying full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated employer
- Eligible work experience, unless they qualify for an exemption as an international graduate
- The minimum education requirements for their occupation
- Required English or French language test results
- A settlement plan from an approved service provider
- Proof of sufficient settlement funds, unless exempt
- Provincial endorsement of their job offer
Job offers must be for at least 30 hours of work per week.
For TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 occupations, the job offer must generally last at least one year after the candidate becomes a permanent resident.
For TEER 4 occupations, the job offer must be permanent, with no specified end date.
Candidates who receive provincial endorsement can submit their permanent residence applications to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Some candidates may also qualify for temporary work permits while their permanent residence applications are processed.
What The Changes Mean For Workers And Employers
New Brunswick’s September and October announcements mark a shift from the broader AIP restrictions introduced earlier in 2026.
The removal of the accommodation and food services restriction in September restored access for eligible hospitality workers, while the October decision reopened the pathway to several important retail occupations.
For workers already employed in New Brunswick, the changes may create new opportunities to pursue permanent residence through employers that hold AIP designation.
They also provide existing designated businesses with greater flexibility to retain eligible international workers.
However, the continuing restrictions on overseas applicants, the employer designation pause and the province’s selective endorsement process mean access remains limited.
Workers should confirm their occupation’s NOC classification, check their employer’s designation status and review the latest provincial requirements before pursuing an application.
The changes expand the number of workers who can be considered for endorsement, but provincial selection and federal eligibility rules will ultimately determine who can move forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which occupations became eligible for New Brunswick’s Atlantic Immigration Program in October 2026?
New Brunswick removed restrictions on four occupations effective October 14, 2026: retail and wholesale trade managers, retail sales supervisors, retail and wholesale buyers, and retail salespersons and visual merchandisers. Workers in these occupations can now be considered for AIP endorsement if they meet federal requirements and have qualifying job offers from designated employers.
Can hospitality workers apply for the Atlantic Immigration Program in New Brunswick?
Yes. New Brunswick removed its blanket restriction on accommodation and food services occupations on September 14, 2026. Eligible workers, including some chefs, cooks, bakers and hotel employees, can now be considered for endorsement. However, restaurant and food service managers and food service supervisors remain specifically excluded, while TEER 5 jobs are ineligible.
Can workers living outside Canada apply through New Brunswick’s AIP?
New Brunswick continues to restrict endorsement applications for candidates residing outside Canada. Such applications are generally limited to government-led recruitment initiatives in health care, education and construction. The latest expansion therefore primarily benefits eligible candidates already in Canada who have qualifying job offers from designated New Brunswick employers.
Are New Brunswick employers accepting new Atlantic Immigration Program designation applications?
New Brunswick has paused acceptance of new AIP employer designation applications for the remainder of 2026. Employers that already hold designation can continue submitting eligible candidate endorsement applications, subject to provincial restrictions and selection priorities. Businesses without designation must wait until the province resumes accepting applications before joining the program.
Does an eligible job offer guarantee permanent residence through the AIP?
No. Candidates must meet federal eligibility requirements and obtain provincial endorsement before applying for permanent residence. New Brunswick also warns that limited allocations mean not all eligible endorsement applications will be selected for processing. IRCC makes the final decision on permanent residence applications after assessing the applicant’s eligibility and admissibility.