New Brunswick offers lifeline to PR applicants at risk of losing work status

Immigration New Brunswick will provide work permit support for Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) endorsees who are at risk of losing work authorization due to longer processing times.

Earlier this week, the province said that it can now issue letters of support for AIP endorsees whose work permits are set to expire before their permanent residence (PR) applications have been processed.

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The letters of support will be for C18 closed work permits. These work permits will authorize endorsees to continue working for their employers while they their PR applications are being processed.

AIP endorsees must inform Immigration New Brunswick of any changes to their employment situation, such as change in employer, position or loss of employment, as these situations may affect eligibility, and endorsement certificates may have to be updated.

AIP endorsees who require a letter of support for a C18 closed work permit must contact Immigration New Brunswick using the Post-Endorsement Request Form.

With letters of support in hand, AIP endorsees can submit their work permit applications to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Why is this measure needed now?

Since the beginning of October, 2025, the processing time for AIP applications has soared from 13 months to 37 months, according to the IRCC's new processing time tool.

The standard work permit issued to AIP candidates is valid only for up to two years, and AIP endorsees are not eligible for the Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) program, leaving endorsed candidates at risk of losing status and work authorization if their work permit expires before their PR application is processed.

The new work permit is intended to allow endorsees to continue to hold work authorization throughout the longer processing time.

It remains to be seen if other provinces taking part in the AIP will follow suit in introducing similar measures for AIP endorsees.

What is the AIP?

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is an employer-driven permanent residence pathway for provinces in Atlantic Canada:

• New Brunswick.
• Nova Scotia.
• Prince Edward Island.
• Newfoundland and Labrador.

To qualify, candidates must have a full-time job offer from the designated employer in the province.

They must also meet some work experience, education, language and settlement fund requirements.

Due to decreased provincial nominations in 2025, many provinces are also prioritizing certain occupations and sectors under the AIP.

Candidates who meet the above criteria are eligible for a settlement plan facilitated by their employer.

If successful, a foreign national will receive a certificate of endorsement from the province. This certificate can then be used to apply for PR with the federal government.

They are also eligible for the temporary work permit mentioned above, which allows them to work while their PR application is being processed.

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