New Brunswick Conducts First Provincial Immigration Draws
New Brunswick Conducts First Provincial Immigration Draws of 2025
New Brunswick has kicked off its 2025 immigration process with the first draws under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) held on March 5 and 6, 2025. The province issued a total of 498 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates across two key pathways of the New Brunswick Skilled Worker stream, targeting critical labor shortages in healthcare, education, social and community services, and construction trades. These draws mark a significant shift in New Brunswick’s immigration strategy following a reduction in its annual provincial nomination allocation.
This article provides a detailed analysis of the recent NBPNP draws, the changes introduced to New Brunswick’s immigration streams in 2025, and the updated eligibility criteria for candidates seeking permanent residency through the provincial program.
Overview of New Brunswick’s First 2025 Draws
The draws held on March 5 and 6, 2025, under the New Brunswick Skilled Worker stream were designed to address specific labour market needs and improve alignment with the province’s economic priorities.
Pathways Targeted in the Draws
The NBPNP invited candidates under two pathways within the New Brunswick Skilled Worker stream:
- 1. New Brunswick Skilled Worker – New Brunswick Experience pathway
- 2. New Brunswick Skilled Worker – New Brunswick Graduates pathway
Occupations Targeted
- Healthcare – including nurses, personal support workers, and healthcare aides
- Education and Social & Community Services – including teachers, early childhood educators, and social workers
- Construction Trades – including carpenters, electricians, and plumbers
Number of Invitations and Cut-Off Score
A cumulative 498 ITAs were issued during these draws. The province did not disclose a minimum cut-off score for these invitations, indicating a focus on employer-backed job offers and occupation-based eligibility rather than ranking scores alone.
Restructuring of the New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
1. New Brunswick Skilled Worker – New Brunswick Experience Pathway
- Must be working full-time in a non-seasonal position with an eligible New Brunswick employer
- Must have been employed full-time for at least six consecutive months while living in the province
- Employer must be willing to support the candidate’s application
2. New Brunswick Skilled Worker – New Brunswick Graduates Pathway
- Must have completed an eligible post-graduate work permit (PGWP) program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in New Brunswick
- Must be currently employed full-time in a non-seasonal position or have a confirmed job offer from an eligible employer
- Employer must be willing to support the candidate’s application
3. New Brunswick Skilled Worker – New Brunswick Priority Occupations Pathway
- Must have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an eligible employer
- The job offer must have resulted from a government-led recruitment mission
- The position must align with a priority National Occupational Classification (NOC) code listed in the program guide
- Must have at least one year of paid work experience related to the job offer
2025 Changes to the NBPNP
New Brunswick has introduced several changes to its provincial immigration program in response to a reduced allocation of immigration spots from the federal government in 2025. The province has been granted 2,750 total spots for the year, of which 1,500 will be issued under the NBPNP and 1,250 under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
1. New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
- Employment in New Brunswick pathway – Open to candidates with a job offer from an eligible employer
- New Brunswick Interests pathway – Open to candidates with skills and experience aligned with the province’s strategic priorities
Key Discontinuations:
- The New Brunswick Student Connection pathway has been permanently discontinued as of 2025.
Excluded Occupations:
| Job Title | NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Accounting technicians and bookkeepers | 12200 |
| Administrative assistants | 13110 |
| Retail and wholesale trade managers | 60020 |
| Restaurant and food service managers | 60030 |
| Retail sales supervisors | 62010 |
| Food service supervisors | 62020 |
| Cooks | 63200 |
| Bakers | 63202 |
2. New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream
Key Discontinuations:
- The In-Person Exploratory Visit to New Brunswick option, paused in November 2024, will not be reinstated in 2025.
3. New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
The Skilled Worker stream has undergone significant restructuring into the three pathways outlined earlier.
Excluded Occupations:
In addition to the excluded occupations under the Express Entry stream, the following occupations are also not considered under the Skilled Worker stream in 2025:
| Job Title | NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Shippers and receivers | 14400 |
| Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers | 64100 |
| Bartenders | 64301 |
| Hotel front desk clerks | 64314 |
| Other customer service representatives | 64409 |
| Food and beverage servers | 65200 |
| Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, and related occupations | 65201 |
| Fish and seafood plant workers | 94142 |
| Labourers in food and beverage processing | 95106 |
| Labourers in fish and seafood processing | 95107 |
Implications for Future Immigration to New Brunswick
Moreover, the exclusion of specific low-skill and service-oriented occupations underscores the province’s intent to prioritize highly skilled and professional sectors.
Recent News
- Canada Holds Third Express Entry Draw of March, Invites 536 PNP Candidates
- New Brunswick Conducts First Provincial Immigration Draws
- Alberta issues invitations to Apply for Provincial Nomination
- Manitoba PNP Draw Issues 111 Invitations to Skilled Workers
- 4,500 French-speaking Candidates to apply for permanent residence
