Following a lower 2025 allotment, New Brunswick is reopening its immigration programs with updated criteria. Learn about the updated qualifying requirements and which streams are open.
Summary of Updates to New Brunswick’s Immigration Program
After adapting to a drastically decreased number of nomination slots for 2025, New Brunswick has formally declared the reopening of its immigration programs. Only 2,750 nomination places have been allotted to the province, which will be divided between the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP).
- 1,500 nominations for NBPNP allocations
- 1,250 nominations for AIP allocations
The severe cut has compelled the province to make tough decisions, giving priority to vital areas like health, education, and construction while limiting involvement in certain economic sectors, according to a statement made by the interim Minister of Post-Secondary Education.
New Brunswick Immigration Streams Updates
The province has described modifications to a number of immigration routes. An overview of their current situation is provided below:
| Stream | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| New Brunswick Express Entry | Opening soon | Accepting EOIs through the New Brunswick Interests and Employment in New Brunswick channels. |
| New Brunswick Strategic Initiative | Closed | Due to the large number of applications, EOIs are not being accepted. |
| Private Career College Graduate Program | Open | Accepting EOIs, although the deadline is set for the autumn of 2025. |
| New Brunswick Skilled Worker | Open | Now divided into three pathways. |
| New Brunswick Business Immigration | Open | Businesses that have been in operation for at least six months are eligible to nominate. |
| New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot | Open | Taking applications. |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | Open | Taking applications. |
Significant Shifts in Particular Streams
Express Entry in New Brunswick
Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are being accepted under:
- Jobs in the New Brunswick Pathway
- Pathway of New Brunswick Interests
The following professions are no longer eligible:
- Bookkeepers and accounting technicians (NOC 12200)
- Assistants in administration (NOC 13110)
- Managers of restaurants and food service (NOC 60030)
- Supervisors of food service (NOC 62020)
- (NOC 63200) Cooks
- Bakers (NOC 63202)
In 2025, the New Brunswick Student Connection won’t be back.
Stream of Skilled Workers in New Brunswick
Three separate paths have been created out of this stream’s restructuring:
1. New Brunswick Work Experience Pathway: Requires living and working in the province for six months.
2. New Brunswick Graduates Pathway: Needs a job offer and completion of a program that qualifies for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
3. New Brunswick Priority Occupations Pathway: Needs prior experience in a priority occupation and a job offer from a provincial recruitment mission.
Bartenders, customer service agents, and workers in the food business are among the professions that are no longer eligible.
Strategic Initiative for New Brunswick
- Because to the huge inventory, no new EOIs are being accepted.
- The November 2024 stop of the In-Person Exploratory Visit to New Brunswick Connection will not resume in 2025.