New Brunswick conducted its first Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) draws of 2025 on March 5 and 6, issuing a total of 498 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under two key pathways of the New Brunswick Skilled Worker stream. The draws focused on addressing labor shortages in healthcare, education, social services, and construction trades — sectors that are crucial to the province’s economic growth.
Also Read New Brunswick Conducts First Provincial Immigration Draws of 2025
Targeted Pathways and Occupations
Candidates were invited under the following two pathways:
- New Brunswick Skilled Worker – New Brunswick Experience Pathway – For individuals already working full-time in the province for at least six months.
- New Brunswick Skilled Worker – New Brunswick Graduates Pathway – For international graduates with a valid post-graduate work permit (PGWP) and a job offer from an eligible employer.
The province focused on high-demand occupations, including healthcare workers (nurses, support workers), educators, social service providers, and construction trades (carpenters, electricians).
Changes to New Brunswick Immigration in 2025
New Brunswick has received an allocation of 2,750 immigration spots in 2025 — 1,500 under the NBPNP and 1,250 under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). Significant changes to the NBPNP include:
- New Brunswick Express Entry Stream – The program now accepts applications under the Employment in New Brunswick and New Brunswick Interests pathways. However, the New Brunswick Student Connection pathway has been discontinued.
- New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream – Paused for 2025 due to high application volumes.
- New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream – Now includes a third pathway, the New Brunswick Priority Occupations pathway, which targets high-demand jobs from government-led recruitment missions.
Certain occupations, such as administrative assistants, cooks, retail managers, and food service workers, have been excluded from eligibility under the updated program.
Also Read
- Northwest Territories Holds First Draw of the Year, Shares 2026 Draw TimelineThe Northwest Territories has taken a fresh approach to immigration by introducing a new selection method and completing its first round of invitations in 2026.
- Latest Ontario Draw Targets Graduate Talent with 918 InvitationsOntario has once again turned its attention to international graduates, inviting hundreds of master’s and doctoral degree holders to take the next step toward permanent
- New Brunswick Invites 143 Skilled Workers in Latest Immigration DrawsNew Brunswick has resumed its provincial immigration activity with a carefully targeted selection round, issuing invitations to skilled foreign workers in industries facing immediate hiring
- Newfoundland and Labrador Holds Third Immigration Draw of 2026Newfoundland and Labrador has carried out another immigration selection round, continuing its steady intake of skilled talent in 2026. The most recent round, held on
- British Columbia Issues New Invitations to Business Investors in April DrawBritish Columbia has once again opened its doors to global entrepreneurs through a fresh invitation round held on April 14. The province continues to use
New Brunswick’s revised immigration strategy reflects the province’s focus on attracting skilled talent to support its economic and labor market needs.
