Navigating the path to permanent residency can be a journey filled with both anticipation and uncertainty. For many applicants under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) in New Brunswick, a significant challenge has emerged: the risk of a temporary work permit expiring before a final decision on their permanent residence application is made. In a decisive and supportive move, the province has introduced a critical temporary measure involving a New Brunswick AIP Letter of Support to bridge this gap. This initiative provides a much-needed lifeline, ensuring that skilled workers can maintain their legal status to work, offering stability to both the applicants and their employers who rely on their talent.
Understanding the Core Challenge for New Brunswick AIP Applicants
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) stands as a cornerstone of the region’s strategy to attract and retain global talent. It’s a federal program, run in partnership with the four Atlantic provinces, designed to help employers hire qualified candidates for jobs they haven’t been able to fill locally. The process typically involves an applicant securing a job offer from a designated employer, obtaining a provincial endorsement, and then submitting a permanent residence (PR) application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). While awaiting a decision on their PR application, many of these individuals are in Canada on employer-specific work permits, contributing to New Brunswick’s economy. However, due to federal processing timelines that can sometimes be lengthy, a critical vulnerability has appeared in this process. Applicants find themselves in a precarious situation where their temporary work authorization is on the verge of expiring, but their PR status has not yet been granted. This creates a stressful state of limbo, threatening their ability to continue working and living in the province, and simultaneously causing significant disruption for New Brunswick employers who face losing a valued and integrated member of their team. This gap in status can jeopardize the very goal of the AIP—to ensure a smooth transition for newcomers into the fabric of the Atlantic Canadian community and workforce.
New Brunswick’s Proactive Solution: The Temporary Letter of Support
In response to this pressing issue, Immigration New Brunswick (INB) has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to its immigrant community by implementing a pivotal temporary measure. The province is now issuing a special New Brunswick AIP Letter of Support for eligible applicants. This document is not a work permit itself, but rather a crucial piece of evidence that enables an individual to apply for a new one. Specifically, the Letter of Support allows the AIP applicant to apply for a new one-year, employer-specific closed work permit. This application falls under the C18 Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption category, which is designated for provincial nominees. By providing this official letter, New Brunswick is essentially vouching for the applicant, signaling to the federal government (IRCC) that the individual remains a vital part of the province’s immigration plans and workforce. This bridge solution is a powerful tool that provides immediate relief, allowing the applicant to legally continue their employment with their original endorsing employer while the final stages of their PR application are completed. It’s a strategic intervention designed to prevent work stoppages, retain skilled individuals within the province, and uphold the integrity and promise of the Atlantic Immigration Program by ensuring continuity and stability for all parties involved.
A Comprehensive Breakdown of Eligibility for the Letter of Support
To access this vital support measure, applicants must meet a clear set of criteria established by Immigration New Brunswick. This ensures that the relief is targeted specifically at those caught in the processing gap between their temporary status and permanent residency. It is essential for potential applicants to carefully review these requirements to determine if they qualify before proceeding with a request. The goal is to provide a seamless extension for those who have already demonstrated their commitment to living and working in the province through the rigorous AIP endorsement process. Failure to meet any one of these conditions will likely result in the request for a Letter of Support being denied. From a professional standpoint, these criteria are logical and serve to maintain the program’s focus on retaining candidates who are already well-integrated into the local labor market and are on a clear path to permanent residency.
Provincial Endorsement: The applicant must have a valid Certificate of Endorsement issued by the Province of New Brunswick under the Atlantic Immigration Program. This is the foundational document that confirms the province supports their application for permanent residency.
Permanent Residence Application Submitted: The individual must have already submitted their complete application for permanent residence to IRCC under the AIP.
Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR): Proof of submission is not enough; the applicant must have received an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) from IRCC. This official correspondence confirms that the PR application has been received and is being processed.
Continuous Employment: The applicant must currently be residing and working in New Brunswick for the same employer who supported their initial AIP endorsement application. This requirement underscores the program’s objective of filling specific labor market needs.
Imminent Work Permit Expiry: The applicant’s current work permit must be set to expire within the next 12 months. This ensures the measure is used by those facing a near-term loss of work status.
The Essential Step-by-Step Process to Secure Your Letter of Support
For those who meet all the eligibility criteria, the process to obtain the New Brunswick AIP Letter of Support is designed to be direct and accessible. The responsibility lies with the applicant to initiate the request with Immigration New Brunswick. The procedure is not automatic; one must proactively reach out to the provincial authorities. The primary method of communication is via email, ensuring a documented and traceable request. Applicants are required to send a formal request to the designated email address at INB. Within this email, several key pieces of information must be clearly provided to allow officials to quickly verify eligibility and process the request efficiently. This includes the applicant’s full name, date of birth, and their unique provincial endorsement certificate number. Crucially, the email must also state the expiry date of their current work permit and include a copy of the Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) received from IRCC for their PR application. Once INB receives this information, they will review the case. If the applicant is deemed eligible, the province will issue the temporary Letter of Support. With this letter in hand, the applicant can then proceed to submit an application to IRCC for a new one-year, employer-specific work permit, securing their ability to continue working in New Brunswick without interruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)?
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a federal immigration initiative operated in partnership with the four Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. It is designed to help employers in the region hire qualified foreign skilled workers and international graduates to fill local labor market needs.
What is a Letter of Support (LOS) in the context of the New Brunswick AIP?
In this specific context, the New Brunswick Letter of Support is an official document issued by the provincial government to certain AIP applicants. It serves as provincial backing for the applicant to apply to IRCC for a new one-year, employer-specific work permit while they await a final decision on their permanent residence application.
How does the temporary Letter of Support help AIP applicants?
The Letter of Support acts as a bridge, allowing AIP applicants whose current work permits are expiring to apply for a new one-year work permit. This provides a legal means to continue working for their endorsing employer in New Brunswick, preventing a loss of income and status while their PR application is being finalized by federal authorities.
What is an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) from IRCC?
An Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) is an official notification sent by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to an applicant. It confirms that their application for permanent residence has been received, is considered complete, and has been entered into the federal processing system.
How do I apply for the Letter of Support from Immigration New Brunswick?
Eligible applicants must proactively email Immigration New Brunswick (INB). The email should contain their full name, date of birth, provincial endorsement number, current work permit expiry date, and a copy of the Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) from their permanent residence application.
