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On March 5 and 6, the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) held its first draws of the year, inviting candidates in select in-demand occupations.
These recent draws follow a period of flux for the NBPNP, as the province looked to align immigration streams more tightly with labour market goals in the face of a significantly reduced provincial immigration allocation in 2025.
New Brunswick has been allocated 2,750 provincial immigration spots this year, of which 1,500 will be issued under the NBPNP, and 1,250 will be issued under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
Details of New Brunswick’s first draw; and An overview of changes to the NBPNPs immigration programs.
Provincial immigration results (8-14 March) New Brunswick
On March 5 and 6, the NBPNP held its first provincial immigration draw of the year, under two pathways of the New Brunswick Skilled Worker stream. Candidates were invited under
The New Brunswick Skilled Worker—New Brunswick Experience pathway; and
The New Brunswick Skilled Worker—New Brunswick Graduates pathway.
These draws prioritized candidates in select occupations for invitations to apply (ITAs) for provincial nomination. Occupation categories targeted in these draws were
Healthcare;
Education and Social & Community Services; and
Construction trades.
As of 2025, the New Brunswick Skilled Worker stream has branched off into three pathways.
In addition to the two previously mentioned pathways, the stream also includes the New Brunswick Skilled Worker stream—New Brunswick Priority Occupations pathway.
In addition to meeting basic eligibility for the New Brunswick Skilled Worker stream, candidates in these specific pathways must also meet additional eligibility criteria, which are summarized below:
Pathway Eligibility Criteria
New Brunswick Experience Currently working full-time in a non-seasonal position for an eligible New Brunswick employer.
Employer is willing to support the application.
Have worked full-time for the same employer for at least 6 consecutive months while living in the province.
New Brunswick Graduates Completed a program eligible for a PGWP at a DLI in New Brunswick.
Currently working full-time in a non-seasonal position for an eligible New Brunswick employer or have accepted an offer for such a position.
Employer is willing to support the application.
New Brunswick Priority Occupations Accepted a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an eligible New Brunswick employer.
Employer is willing to support the application.
The job offer resulted from a recruitment mission led by the Government of New Brunswick.
The position must be in a priority NOC code as specified in the program guide.
At least 1 year of paid work experience related to the position.
Changes to the NBPNP in 2025
New Brunswick has made significant changes to its immigration streams in order to make the best use of its reduced provincial nomination allocation.
In particular, three of the province’s immigration streams have seen alterations to their intake. Changes to these streams are summarized below:
Accepting EOIs under two pathways starting March 5, 2025:
1) Employment in New Brunswick pathway; and
2) New Brunswick Interests pathway.
The New Brunswick Student Connection pathway will not return in 2025.
NOC 12200 – Accounting technicians and bookkeepers
NOC 13110 – Administrative assistants
NOC 60020 – Retail and wholesale trade managers
NOC 60030 – Restaurant and food service managers
NOC 62010 – Retail sales supervisors
NOC 62020 – Food service supervisors
NOC 63200 – Cooks
NOC 63202 – Bakers
New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream
Paused for 2025 – The province has sufficient inventory and will not accept new EOIs.
The "In-Person Exploratory Visit to New Brunswick" connection, paused in November 2024, will not return in 2025.
1) New Brunswick Experience pathway
2) New Brunswick Graduates pathway
3) New Brunswick Priority Occupations pathway (not accepting submissions at this time).
NOC 12200 – Accounting technicians and bookkeepers
NOC 13110 – Administrative assistants
NOC 14400 – Shippers and receivers
NOC 60020 – Retail and wholesale trade managers
NOC 60030 – Restaurant and food service managers
NOC 62010 – Retail sales supervisors
NOC 62020 – Food service supervisors
NOC 63200 – Cooks
NOC 63202 – Bakers
NOC 64100 – Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers
NOC 64301 – Bartenders
NOC 64314 – Hotel front desk clerks
NOC 64409 – Other customer
NOC 65200 – Food and beverage servers
NOC 65201 – Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, and related occupations
NOC 94142 – Fish and seafood plant workers
NOC 95106 – Labourers in food and beverage processing
NOC 95107 – Labourers in fish and seafood
Source: https://www.cicnews.com/2025/03/new-brunswick-holds-first-provincial-draws-of-2025-0352856.html#gs.l07q18
