New Brunswick has officially reopened its immigration streams following adjustments necessitated by the federal government’s decision to allocate only 2,750 immigrant nomination spaces for the province in 2025. This marks a significant reduction compared to previous years, compelling the province to prioritize critical sectors and make strategic decisions to manage its economic growth effectively.
Allocation Breakdown and Its Implications
The 2,750 nomination spaces are divided between the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) with 1,500 spots and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) with 1,250 spots. Jean-Claude D’Amours, acting Minister of Post-Secondary Education, emphasized that the reduced allocation will limit the province’s capacity to support economic development and meet labor market demands.
Key Sectors for Prioritization
Given the constraints, New Brunswick will focus on sectors essential to its economic stability and growth:
- Healthcare: Addressing the increasing demand for medical professionals due to an aging population.
- Education: Filling gaps in teaching and administrative roles in response to evolving educational needs.
- Construction: Supporting infrastructure development projects critical for provincial growth.
Conversely, certain sectors will face restrictions, with workers in roles like food services and administrative support currently excluded from participation.
Updated Immigration Streams
1. New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
Set to reopen for new Expressions of Interest (EOIs), this stream will operate under two pathways:
- Employment in New Brunswick Pathway
- New Brunswick Interests Pathway
However, occupations such as accounting technicians, administrative assistants, and food service managers are currently ineligible. Additionally, the New Brunswick Student Connection will not be reinstated in 2025.
2. New Brunswick Strategic Initiative
This stream is temporarily closed to new EOIs due to sufficient application inventory. The “In-Person Exploratory Visit” option remains suspended since November 2024.
3. New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
Now accepting EOIs, this stream has evolved into three distinct pathways:
- Work Experience Pathway: Requires recent, full-time, non-seasonal employment within New Brunswick.
- Graduates Pathway: Targets recent graduates from New Brunswick Designated Learning Institutions with job offers.
- Priority Occupations Pathway: Focuses on applicants with job offers in high-demand sectors.
Certain roles, including bartenders, cooks, and customer service representatives, are currently excluded from consideration.
4. Private Career College Graduate Program
Accepting EOIs until autumn 2025, this program supports graduates from private institutions in securing permanent residency.
5. New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream
Open for applications, this stream is tailored for entrepreneurs who have operated a business in New Brunswick for at least six months.
6. Critical Worker Pilot & Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
Both programs are actively accepting applications, offering alternative pathways for skilled workers and their families.
Future Prospects: Will Allocations Improve?
While New Brunswick’s future allocation adjustments remain uncertain, ongoing discussions with the federal government offer a glimmer of hope. Notably, Newfoundland and Labrador successfully negotiated an increase in its allocations after initially facing similar cuts. This was achieved through an agreement to accept 290 humanitarian immigrants over three years, leading to a restoration of most of their nomination spaces.
New Brunswick might explore a similar strategy, potentially negotiating with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to balance humanitarian commitments with economic immigration needs.
New Brunswick’s reopening of its immigration streams reflects both the challenges and opportunities within Canada’s evolving immigration landscape. By prioritizing critical sectors and engaging in strategic negotiations, the province aims to navigate allocation constraints while fostering economic growth and community development.
Discover Your Eligibility
Aspiring immigrants are encouraged to review the specific eligibility criteria for each stream and stay informed about potential policy changes. Regular updates from NBPNP and IRCC will provide guidance as New Brunswick continues to adapt its immigration strategies in response to federal policies and provincial needs.
