Lilshira
New Brunswick selects 203 AIP candidates for permanent residence
The Government of New Brunswick has selected 203 workers to advance to the next stage of the Atlantic Immigration Program. The three draws took place on Oct. 2, Oct. 9 and Oct. 29, 2026, targeting sectors such as construction, health care and manufacturing. Successful applicants will receive an endorsement certificate that enables a federal permanent‑residence application and a two‑year employer‑specific work permit.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- 203 workers selected in three October draws to receive AIP endorsements
- Timing
- Draws held on Oct. 2, Oct. 9 and Oct. 29, 2026
- Who is affected
- AIP candidates with job offers from designated New Brunswick employers
The details
- Announced by
- Government of New Brunswick
- New rule
- The province has invited 203 candidates to move forward in the Atlantic Immigration Program, issuing endorsement certificates that allow permanent‑residence applications and a two‑year employer‑specific work permit.
Selection Process and Draw Dates
New Brunswick conducted three separate draws in October 2026. The first draw occurred on Oct. 2, the second on Oct. 9 and the final one on Oct. 29. Each draw used a cut‑off time of 11:59 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time to determine which applications would be processed.
- A total of 203 workers were chosen across the three draws
- Selected sectors included construction, health care and manufacturing
Eligibility Criteria and Exclusions
To qualify, candidates must hold a job offer from an employer that has received provincial designation. All eligible occupations are accepted except restaurant and food‑service managers (NOC 60030). Applications that involve offers to foreign nationals outside Canada are limited to government‑led recruitment in health care, education and construction.
- Job offer must come from a provincially designated employer
- Restaurant and food‑service managers are excluded from endorsement applications
Benefits of Endorsement and Work Permit
Applicants whose endorsement applications are approved will be issued an endorsement certificate. This document permits them to apply for permanent residence at the federal level. It also opens the pathway to a two‑year, employer‑specific work permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Workers who apply for the work permit before their current permit expires may continue working under maintained status, provided they stay in Canada until a decision is made.
The maintained‑status provision ensures that candidates can keep working while their AIP work‑permit application is under review, avoiding gaps in employment.
- Endorsement certificate enables federal permanent‑residence application
- Two‑year employer‑specific work permit may be granted after endorsement
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Selected candidates can keep working under maintained status if they apply before their current permit ends
- Travel plans for non‑selected applicants remain unchanged
Cost and documents
- An endorsement certificate must be obtained before filing a permanent‑residence application
- No additional fee for the two‑year work permit is mentioned in the announcement
What you need to do
- Selected workers should await their endorsement certificate from the province
- Applicants must ensure their job offer is from a provincially designated employer
- Those in the excluded occupation (restaurant and food‑service managers) cannot submit an AIP endorsement application
Who this affects
-
Selected AIP candidates
They have been chosen in the October draws to move forward to endorsement processing
What to do Await issuance of the endorsement certificate and then apply for permanent residence
-
Workers with designated employer job offers
Eligibility for the AIP endorsement requires a job offer from a provincially designated employer
What to do Maintain the job offer and submit the endorsement application as instructed
-
Foreign nationals outside Canada in health, education or construction
Applications for these occupations are limited to government‑led recruitment initiatives
What to do Apply through the specified recruitment programs if a qualified offer is available
-
Restaurant and food‑service managers (NOC 60030)
This occupation is explicitly excluded from AIP endorsement applications
-
All other eligible occupations
All eligible occupations except the excluded one are accepted for endorsement applications
What to do Submit endorsement application provided all other criteria are met
Frequently asked questions
How many candidates did New Brunswick select in the latest AIP draws?
New Brunswick selected 203 workers across three draws held in October 2026 to move forward in the Atlantic Immigration Program.
When were the Atlantic Immigration Program draws held in New Brunswick?
The province conducted draws on Oct. 2, Oct. 9 and Oct. 29, 2026, each using a cut‑off time of 11:59 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time.
Which occupations are excluded from New Brunswick's AIP endorsement applications?
Restaurant and food‑service managers (NOC 60030) are excluded; all other eligible occupations can be considered for endorsement.
Can I keep working if my current work permit expires before the AIP permit is decided?
Yes, workers who apply for the AIP work permit before their current permit expires may continue working under maintained status as long as they remain in Canada until a decision is made.
What is required to be eligible for a New Brunswick AIP endorsement?
Eligibility requires a job offer from an employer that has provincial designation, and the applicant must not be in the excluded occupation of restaurant or food‑service manager.
How many total AIP candidates has New Brunswick selected to date?
With the latest three draws completed, New Brunswick has selected a cumulative total of 898 AIP candidates across nine announced selection rounds.
