On February 3, 2026, the Government of New Brunswick (NB) announced several important changes to its permanent residence–related immigration programs. These changes are being implemented in response to reductions across Canada’s overall immigration system.

The announcements affect both the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP).

New Brunswick has introduced a candidate pool system for endorsement applications under the Atlantic Immigration Program.

Key points:

• Designated employers and applicants may continue to submit endorsement applications
• All new applications will be placed into a candidate pool
• Applications will be selected for processing once per month based on provincial priorities
• Selection is not first-come, first-served
• Applications not selected within 365 days will expire

If an application expires, it will be removed from the pool. Applicants who wish to continue must submit a new and complete endorsement application.

Immigration New Brunswick has announced a temporary pause on accepting new Employer Designation applications.

This pause is intended to:

• Reassess existing designated employers
• Ensure alignment between program objectives and provincial economic needs

Under the AIP, Immigration New Brunswick will generally not consider endorsement applications for positions in the accommodation and food services sector (NAICS 72).

Ineligible occupations under NAICS 72 include:

• 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

However, if the employer is not classified under NAICS 72, applications for these occupations may still be considered.

Ineligible occupations regardless of sector:

• 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

Restrictions for candidates residing outside Canada:

Endorsement applications for foreign nationals living outside Canada are limited to Government of New Brunswick (GNB)–led recruitment initiatives in the following sectors:

• health care
• education
• construction trades

Under the New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream, Immigration New Brunswick will not accept Expressions of Interest (EOIs) or issue Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates working in the accommodation and food services sector (NAICS 72).

Ineligible occupations under NAICS 72 include:

• 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

Candidates in these occupations may still submit an EOI if they are employed by a business not classified under NAICS 72.

Ineligible occupations regardless of sector:

• 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

Under the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream, Immigration New Brunswick will also not consider EOIs or issue ITAs to candidates working in the accommodation and food services sector (NAICS 72).

Ineligible occupations under NAICS 72 include:

• 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

Candidates may still be considered if their employer is not classified under NAICS 72.

Ineligible occupations regardless of sector:

• NOC 60020 – Retail and wholesale trade managers
• NOC 62010 – Retail sales supervisors
• NOC 62101 – Retail and wholesale buyers
• NOC 63201 – Butchers – retail and wholesale

These announcements clearly indicate that New Brunswick will apply more selective criteria for permanent residence applications, particularly for candidates working in hospitality, food services, and retail-related occupations.

If you are currently working in New Brunswick or considering permanent residence through NB programs, it is important to review:

• Your NOC and industry (NAICS) classification
• Whether your current immigration stream remains realistic
• Potential alternative pathways, including other provinces or federal programs

Many applicants may now be asking, “Can I still pursue permanent residence in New Brunswick?” or “What other options should I consider?”
In a separate column, we provide a clear breakdown of who may be more or less affected by these changes, along with realistic alternatives to consider. We encourage you to read it alongside this article.

This article is a summary prepared by Visa JP Canada based on official announcements from the Government of New Brunswick, organized for clarity and ease of understanding.
Source: Government of New Brunswick – Immigration Notices (English)

This news article has been organized and summarized by Visa JP Canada based on an official announcement from the Government of New Brunswick, to make the information easier to understand.
Source: Government of New Brunswick – Immigration Notices (English)