Author: Azadeh Haidari-Garmash, RCIC
New Brunswick Enhances Immigration Pathways
New pathways aim to attract skilled immigrants to New Brunswick.
Fredericton, NB — In a significant development for aspiring immigrants, New Brunswick has opened the intake of applications for two revamped pathways to permanent residence under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP). Starting March 5, 2025, eligible candidates can submit their Expressions of Interest (EOIs) through the Employment in New Brunswick pathway and the New Brunswick Interests pathway, both of which align with the federal Express Entry system.
A Strategic Adjustment to Immigration Policy
The restructured pathways come in response to a substantial reduction in the province's nomination allocation, which has been cut to a total of 2,750 for the year. Of these, 1,500 slots are reserved for the NBPNP, while the remaining 1,250 are allocated to the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
In an effort to attract and retain skilled workers, the Employment in New Brunswick pathway now requires candidates to have been living and working full-time in New Brunswick for the past 12 consecutive months. Meanwhile, applicants for the New Brunswick Interests pathway must have received a letter of interest from ImmigrationNB in their federal Express Entry profile and possess at least one year of relevant work experience within the past decade.
Updated Eligibility Criteria
Notably, the minimum eligible age for candidates across both pathways has been lowered from 22 to 19, a move aimed at broadening the pool of potential applicants. However, the pathways exclude certain occupations from eligibility, including roles such as accounting technicians, administrative assistants, and retail managers, among others.
To qualify, candidates must also meet several common criteria, such as having a valid Express Entry profile, demonstrating language proficiency at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level 7, and possessing a Canadian high-school diploma or its equivalent. Additionally, they must score a minimum of 67 points on New Brunswick’s Express Entry selection grid and intend to live and work in the province permanently.
A Competitive Process
The NBPNP has clarified that EOIs will not be processed on a first-come-first-serve basis, and meeting the eligibility conditions does not guarantee an invitation for provincial nomination. Employment under these pathways must fall within the National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER levels 0, 1, 2, or 3.
These changes reflect New Brunswick's strategic approach to manage its immigration intake effectively while addressing the province's economic needs and labor market demands.
As the province navigates these new parameters, potential immigrants are advised to review the updated criteria closely to maximize their chances of securing an invitation under these pathways.
