New Brunswick has officially started reopening its immigration programs after a period of adjustment following a significant reduction in its nomination allocations for 2025. The province has been allotted only 2,750 immigrant nomination spaces for the year, a decrease that has forced New Brunswick to make strategic decisions regarding economic immigration.
The Breakdown of New Brunswick’s Immigration Spaces
The 2,750 nomination spaces have been distributed between two primary immigration pathways:
- New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) – 1,500 spaces
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) – 1,250 spaces
Jean-Claude D’Amours, acting Minister of Post-Secondary Education, stated in a February 5th press release that the reduced allocation will impact the province’s ability to support economic growth and local businesses. As a result, New Brunswick has prioritized key industries, including healthcare, education, and construction, while limiting opportunities in other sectors.
Updated Immigration Streams in New Brunswick
New Brunswick has provided updates for various immigration pathways. Below is a breakdown of the changes:
| Stream | Status | Details |
| New Brunswick Express Entry | Will begin accepting new Expressions of Interest (EOIs) soon | Will open under two pathways: Employment in New Brunswick & New Brunswick Interests |
| New Brunswick Strategic Initiative | Not accepting new EOIs | Currently has sufficient applications and will not take new ones at this time |
| Private Career College Graduate Program | Accepting EOIs | This program will end in autumn 2025 |
| New Brunswick Skilled Worker | Starting to accept EOIs | Has been divided into three separate streams |
| New Brunswick Business Immigration | Accepting EOIs | Applicants must have a business running for at least six months |
| New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot | Accepting applications | No additional changes announced |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | Accepting applications | No additional changes announced |
Detailed Changes in Major Immigration Streams
1. New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
The New Brunswick Express Entry stream will begin accepting new EOIs soon under two pathways:
- Employment in New Brunswick Pathway
- New Brunswick Interests Pathway
However, some occupations will not be eligible for consideration in 2025, including:
- Accounting technicians and bookkeepers (NOC 12200)
- Administrative assistants (NOC 13110)
- Restaurant and food service managers (NOC 60030)
- Food service supervisors (NOC 62020)
- Cooks (NOC 63200)
- Bakers (NOC 63202)
Additionally, the New Brunswick Student Connection pathway will not return in 2025.
2. New Brunswick Strategic Initiative
The Strategic Initiative stream is not accepting new EOIs due to sufficient applications already in inventory.
The In-Person Exploratory Visit to New Brunswick pathway was paused in November 2024 and will not be available in 2025.
3. New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
The Skilled Worker stream is now divided into three specialized pathways:
- New Brunswick Work Experience Pathway: Requires candidates to have worked full-time for an eligible New Brunswick employer for at least six months and lived in the province during that period.
- New Brunswick Graduates Pathway: Requires candidates to have completed a program of study eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) at a designated learning institution and hold a full-time job offer in New Brunswick.
- New Brunswick Priority Occupations Pathway: Requires candidates to have a full-time job offer from an employer as a result of a government-led recruitment mission and possess one year of related work experience.
New Brunswick will not be considering applications from candidates in the following occupations for the Skilled Worker stream:
- Accounting technicians and bookkeepers (NOC 12200)
- Administrative assistants (NOC 13110)
- Shippers and receivers (NOC 14400)
- Restaurant and food service managers (NOC 60030)
- Food service supervisors (NOC 62020)
- Cooks (NOC 63200)
- Bakers (NOC 63202)
- Bartenders (NOC 64301)
- Customer representatives (NOC 64409)
- Food and beverage servers (NOC 65200)
- Kitchen helpers and related occupations (NOC 65201)
- Process control and machine operators in food and beverage (NOC 94140)
- Fish and seafood plant workers (NOC 94142)
- Laborers in food and beverage processing (NOC 95106)
- Laborers in fish and seafood (NOC 95107)
Future Changes to New Brunswick’s Immigration Allocations
There is ongoing discussion between the New Brunswick government and federal immigration authorities regarding potential adjustments to the province’s nomination spaces. Other provinces, such as Newfoundland and Labrador, successfully negotiated an increase in their immigration allocations after agreeing to take in a specified number of humanitarian immigrants.
It is possible that New Brunswick could reach a similar agreement with the federal government to regain additional nomination spaces in exchange for commitments related to humanitarian immigration.
Conclusion
New Brunswick’s immigration programs are reopening with specific focus areas, favoring certain industries while restricting others. Despite the reduced allocations, the province remains committed to economic immigration, and further changes may arise through negotiations with the federal government. If you are considering immigration, whether to Canada or Europe, ICC Immigration can provide expert guidance tailored to your needs.
Stay updated on further immigration developments and contact professionals to explore your best options.