New Brunswick has moved to protect Atlantic Immigration Program workers whose status is at risk because permanent residence decisions are taking much longer than expected. Effective immediately, eligible AIP endorsees can request a provincial support letter to apply for a provincial support letter to apply for a C18 closed work permit, letting them keep working for their designated employer while they wait for a federal decision.
Provincial officials say the step responds to a sharp rise in AIP PR processing times since October 2025—from about 13 months to as long as 37 months—leaving many workers in legal limbo as their permits near expiry. Because AIP applicants are not eligible for Bridging Open Work Permits, they had few options to stay employed without this new measure.
The province will issue letters of support for an LMIA‑exempt, employer‑specific permit under code C18. With that letter, an applicant can apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a one‑year work permit tied to the same New Brunswick employer named on their AIP endorsement.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this targeted fix shores up a weak spot in the federal‑provincial pathway by keeping endorsed workers on the job when their PR files stall, while also helping employers who invested months in recruiting internationally.
Policy details and eligibility
Provincial guidance sets out clear conditions to qualify for the support letter. Applicants must:
- Hold a valid AIP Certificate of Endorsement from a New Brunswick employer.
- Have a PR application in process with IRCC and have received an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR).
- Be currently employed and living in New Brunswick with the same employer listed on the endorsement.
- Have a work permit expiring within the next 12 months.
- Agree to notify Immigration New Brunswick (INB) of changes to employer, job role, or employment status.
Key points about the C18 support letter:
- The letter supports a C18 closed work permit for one year.
- The letter can be reissued if PR remains pending and the worker still meets all rules.
- The permit is employer‑specific and LMIA‑exempt—no new Labour Market Impact Assessment is required.
- The worker must continue with the endorsing employer; the C18 does not function like a Bridging Open Work Permit.
- AIP does not offer BOWP access, which is why New Brunswick introduced this measure.
The province confirmed that the AIP in New Brunswick has been paused for the remainder of 2025 after reaching its allocation on April 4, 2025. No new endorsements are being issued this year. Files already submitted to IRCC before the pause continue to move forward.
The new C18 support letters are only available to people who already hold an endorsement and have a PR application in process as of the pause date. Other Atlantic provinces are watching closely and may consider similar measures.
Impact on workers and employers
This move immediately affects hundreds of endorsed workers and their families across New Brunswick.
For the workforce:
– Many endorsed workers are employed in healthcare, IT, manufacturing, logistics, and services—sectors facing tight hiring conditions.
– Without this stopgap, expiring permits could force workers off the payroll, disrupt continuity of care in clinics and long‑term care homes, pause production lines, and strain small businesses that rely on trained staff.
– Even a short gap in status risks job loss, disruption of benefits, and family stress.
For employers:
– The C18 path keeps endorsed staff legally employed and avoids the costs and delays of restarting recruitment.
– It respects the AIP design, which links an endorsee to a designated employer and settlement plan.
– The arrangement balances worker security with employer needs, rather than shifting to an open work model the AIP doesn’t provide.
VisaVerge.com reports employers have been pushing for a tool like this since fall, when PR backlogs began to climb and permit expiry dates approached.
Important limits for workers:
– The C18 permit does not allow job changes without new steps.
– If an endorsed worker wants to switch employers, they need updated provincial authorization and a new employer‑specific permit.
– Failing to report changes to INB could jeopardize both the permit and the PR file.
How to apply and practical steps
Eligible applicants follow a two‑step process:
1) Request the provincial support letter
– Complete INB’s Post‑Endorsement Request Form to ask for a C18 support letter. The form is available through the Government of New Brunswick’s immigration site.
– Provincial officers will verify endorsement details, employment status, and permit expiry.
– Keep copies of your AIP endorsement, job offer, and AOR ready to speed up verification.
2) Apply to IRCC for the new work permit
– Submit an in‑Canada work permit application with the C18 support letter attached. Most applicants will apply online to extend or change conditions.
– IRCC’s official guidance on extending a work permit from inside Canada explains who can apply, timelines, fees, and step‑by‑step instructions. See: Extend your work permit — inside Canada (IRCC).
– The standard form for in‑Canada work permits is IMM 5710 (“Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker”). It’s available here: IMM 5710 — Apply to extend your work permit (IRCC).
Apply well before your current permit expires. If you submit a complete application before expiry, you may benefit from maintained status, allowing you to keep working for the same employer under the same conditions until IRCC decides.
Practical tips for smoother processing:
– Check that your passport validity covers the requested permit period.
– Ensure the employer name and job details match the AIP endorsement precisely.
– Upload the AOR, endorsement certificate, and C18 support letter clearly labeled.
– Notify INB immediately about any changes to hours, location, or job title.
– Keep your email current and watch for IRCC messages about biometrics or additional documents.
Workers who moved to New Brunswick with families should review school registration, health coverage, and provincial benefits to avoid gaps if permits are close to expiring. Employers can assist by preparing job letters confirming ongoing employment, hours, and wages.
The province’s action underscores a wider challenge: federal PR timelines have outpaced permit validity for many endorsed workers. While Ottawa manages national intake, provinces like New Brunswick must keep their local labour markets steady.
This measured tool—a C18 closed work permit backed by a provincial letter—fits the AIP’s employer‑specific design and keeps endorsed talent in place across the province.
For updates on forms and instructions issued by the province, visit the official Immigration New Brunswick page: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/corporate/promo/immigration.html. Workers should rely on official notices rather than social media posts, since rules can change as allocations and federal backlogs shift.
New Brunswick’s move will likely resonate beyond its borders. Other Atlantic provinces have similar employer needs and face the same AIP structure that excludes Bridging Open Work Permits. If backlogs persist, more provinces may adopt parallel letters to bridge endorsed workers to PR.
For now, endorsed AIP applicants in New Brunswick have a path to stay employed lawfully in 🇨🇦 while they wait for a decision, and employers gain a clearer plan to keep teams stable through 2025.
This Article in a Nutshell
New Brunswick has introduced provincial support letters allowing eligible Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) endorsees to apply for a one‑year C18 closed work permit tied to their endorsing employer while their permanent residence (PR) applications are pending. This response addresses rising AIP processing times—from about 13 months to as long as 37 months—that left many workers facing permit expiry without access to Bridging Open Work Permits. To qualify, applicants must hold a valid AIP endorsement, have an IRCC Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR), reside and work in New Brunswick with the same employer, and have a permit expiring within 12 months. The C18 is LMIA‑exempt, employer‑specific, and can be reissued if PR remains pending. New Brunswick paused AIP endorsements for 2025 after reaching allocation on April 4; only those with existing endorsements and PR files before the pause are eligible. The measure helps employers retain trained staff and prevents service disruptions in critical sectors while federal backlogs continue to be monitored by other Atlantic provinces.
