As the program evolves to meet labour‑market demands, it’s crucial for applicants and employers to stay informed about the latest changes, provincial allocations, and application strategies. In this update, we break down the most recent news for each Atlantic province, explain how the federal framework works, and offer practical tips—QuestJobs style—to help you navigate the AIP successfully.
New Brunswick AIP Endorsements Paused for 2025
Key takeaway: No new AIP referrals in New Brunswick until 2026.
On April 4, 2025, New Brunswick announced it has exhausted its 2025 AIP allocation and will pause all new referrals for the remainder of the year. According to the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) website, all employer applications and candidate endorsements submitted after April 4 will not be processed until the 2026 allocation is published.
Why This Matters
-
Sponsor Planning. Employers and candidates targeting New Brunswick under AIP must now pivot to other Atlantic provinces or await the 2026 intake.
-
Alternative Streams. Consider the NBPNP Skilled Worker or Express Entry streams, which remain open but have different eligibility criteria and processing times. QuestJobs currently list three different PR pathways in New Brunswick namely NB Int. graduate , NB Critical worker and NB Experience Pathway. These streams has a total of over 2000 PR eligible jobs that are updated daily in the portal.
Nova Scotia High Demand and Longer Waits
Key takeaway. Nova Scotia’s AIP is oversubscribed; expect slower processing.
Nova Scotia reports that its AIP referral count is exceeding the 2025 quota, particularly in sectors like health care, construction, and hospitality. The Nova Scotia Office of Immigration notes that candidates already living or working in Nova Scotia—especially those with expiring work permits—are prioritized, but all applications are facing extended wait times due to volume.
Hot Occupations in Nova Scotia
-
Healthcare & Social Assistance (NAICS 62)
-
Construction (NAICS 23)
-
Information Technology (NAICS 54)
Newfoundland & Labrador Steady Endorsements
In Newfoundland & Labrador, the NLPNP issued 359 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) on July 10, 2025, across both PNP and AIP streams. Of those, roughly 300 were AIP‑based, reflecting the province’s focus on filling skilled roles in early childhood education, engineering, and boosted healthcare capacity.
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador Immigration – July Draw Results
Why Newfoundland & Labrador Stands Out
-
Integrated Streams NL blends PNP and AIP pipelines, offering more flexibility. QuestJobs currently lists about 400 PR eligible jobs under NL Skilled Worker Stream. This list is updated daily.
-
Targeted Skills Emphasis on English‑language health professionals and engineering technicians.
- NL received new PR seats from the IRCC. Ultimtately increasing its capability to issue ITA's.
Prince Edward Island Consistent Quotas & Rapid Processing
Key takeaway: PEI’s smaller AIP quota means regular draw cadence and quick processing.
Although not updated in every news cycle, Prince Edward Island maintains a predictable AIP intake, with quotas typically around 150 referrals per quarter. PEI’s Office of Immigration strives for processing within 8 to 12 weeks for complete AIP applications.
PEI Highlights
-
Rapid Turnaround: Shorter queue times compared to NB and NS. PEI AIP only nomintaes jobs in healthcare, construction and manufacturing. All these jobs are filtered at Questjobs and all ineligible occupations are not includedin the list.
-
Community Focus Smaller population leads to more personalized settlement services.
How the Federal AIP Framework Works
While provinces handle referrals, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) manages the permanent residence applications. Here’s the federal process:
-
Provincial Referral: Candidate receives an AIP referral letter from one of the four Atlantic provinces.
-
Job Offer: Valid, full‑time job offer from a designated employer in the province.
-
IRCC Application: Submit a PR application to IRCC within 90 days of the referral.
-
Work Permit (Optional): Apply for a closed work permit to work while waiting on PR decision.
-
Settlement Plan: Provide a settlement plan crafted with a provincial settlement service provider.
What’s Next for AIP in Late 2025 and 2026
-
2026 Quotas Released Late 2025: Each province will publish its AIP referral limits for 2026 in November–December 2025.
-
New Brunswick Re‑Opens: NBPNP will start accepting AIP referrals again once the 2026 quota is live.
-
Processing Streamlining: IRCC has committed to reducing backlogs—currently over 800,000 pending applications across all PR streams. Faster PR decisions will benefit AIP candidates.
Tips for AIP Applicants and Employers
For Job Seekers:
-
Secure a Designated Employer Offer: Use QuestJobs to find AIP‑designated employers. We list 3,000+ PR‑eligible healthcare roles in Atlantic Canada.
-
Prepare a Settlement Plan: Work with a provincial settlement agency to draft and submit ASAP.
-
Document Readiness: Ensure language test results, education credential assessments, and proof of work experience are current.
For Employers:
-
Designate Early: Apply for your AIP Employer Designation before your candidate pool grows.
-
Offer Clarity: Provide clear job descriptions and standardized wage offers to speed endorsement.
-
Compliance Monitoring: Adhere to employment standards and report any changes in job conditions.
Conclusion
The Atlantic Immigration Program continues to evolve to meet labour shortages and humanitarian needs in Canada’s four Atlantic provinces. While New Brunswick has paused its 2025 intake, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Prince Edward Island remain open to skilled workers and international graduates under AIP.
Stay updated on AIP news, quota changes, and provincial guidelines by subscribing to QuestJobs alerts. Your path to Atlantic Canada permanent residence starts here.