New Brunswick has officially opened the intake for two enhanced Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) pathways, offering eligible newcomers a streamlined route to permanent residence in Canada.
As of March 5, 2025, applicants can submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) through the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) under the Employment in New Brunswick pathway and the New Brunswick Interests pathway.
Both pathways are aligned with the Express Entry system, providing a more efficient process for skilled workers seeking to settle in the province.
Key Updates to the Pathways for New Brunswick
Eligibility Criteria Adjustments
The NBPNP has made significant changes to its eligibility criteria. Notably, the minimum eligible age for candidates has been lowered from 22 to 19 years old.
Additionally, the Employment in New Brunswick pathway now requires candidates to have at least 12 consecutive months of work experience, along with increased residency requirements.
Occupation Exclusions
Both pathways will exclude certain occupations from eligibility for provincial nominations. This strategic move aims to align immigration with the province’s economic needs, focusing on sectors such as health, education, and construction.
Reduced Nominations and Strategic Allocation
New Brunswick has faced a significant reduction in its provincial nomination allocation for 2025, receiving only 2,750 nominations compared to 5,000 in the previous year. Of these, 1,500 are allocated to the NBPNP and 1,250 to the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
This reduction has prompted the province to prioritize specific sectors and occupations to maximize the economic impact of its limited nominations.
Processing and Selection Process
The NBPNP has clarified that EOIs will not be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, candidates will be selected through scheduled draws starting in March 2025, based on their alignment with updated eligibility criteria. This approach ensures that only qualified candidates receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs).
The reopening of these immigration pathways marks a strategic effort by New Brunswick to attract skilled workers despite the reduced nomination allocations.
The province is actively working to address technical issues with the Immigration New Brunswick portal, which has experienced high traffic since the reopening.
While the reduced allocations pose challenges for economic growth, New Brunswick is engaging in discussions with the federal government to explore opportunities for future improvements.
New Brunswick’s enhanced PNP pathways offer a streamlined immigration process for eligible candidates, focusing on key sectors to support the province’s economic recovery and growth.
Despite the challenges posed by reduced nominations, the province remains committed to attracting skilled workers to contribute to its development.
