New Brunswick Immigration Programs Begin to Reopen Amidst Federal Allocation Cuts

New Brunswick is reopening its immigration streams after a challenging adjustment period following a reduction in the number of immigrant nomination spaces allocated by the federal government. The province is now facing a cap of 2,750 available spots for the year 2025. These limited spaces are to be split between the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), which will receive 1,500 spaces, and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), which will get 1,250 spots.

In a press release on February 5, Jean-Claude D’Amours, the Acting Minister of Post-Secondary Education for the province, addressed the difficult situation, acknowledging that the significant reduction in allocations would limit the province’s ability to sustain its economic growth. “We expect it will limit our ability to manage economic growth for our province and its businesses,” D’Amours stated.

As a result of this cutback, the province will prioritize specific sectors such as health, education, and construction, while restricting immigration in other sectors. This shift aims to direct resources where they are most needed, but it also means that some workers in various industries will not be eligible for immigration streams in 2025.

Immigration Stream Updates for 2025

The provincial government has provided an overview of the updates and eligibility criteria for each of New Brunswick’s immigration streams for 2025:

1. New Brunswick Express Entry Stream

The New Brunswick Express Entry stream will soon begin accepting new Expressions of Interest (EOIs). This stream will operate through two distinct pathways:

• Employment in New Brunswick Pathway
• New Brunswick Interests Pathway

However, candidates in certain occupations will not be considered at this time. These include:

• Accounting technicians and bookkeepers (NOC 12200)
• Administrative assistants (NOC 13110)
• Restaurant and food service managers (NOC 60030)
• Food service supervisors (NOC 62020)
• Cooks (NOC 63200)
• Bakers (NOC 63202)

Additionally, the “New Brunswick Student Connection” under this stream will not be available for 2025.

2. New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream

The New Brunswick Strategic Initiative stream has reached its limit in terms of available EOIs. As a result, this stream is not accepting new applications at this time. The “In-Person Exploratory Visit to New Brunswick” initiative, which had been temporarily paused in November 2024, will not return in 2025 either. The government encourages prospective immigrants to revisit the page for this stream later in the year for possible updates.

3. New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream

Starting soon, New Brunswick’s Skilled Worker stream will begin accepting new EOIs, and the stream has now been divided into three specific pathways:

• New Brunswick Work Experience Pathway
• New Brunswick Graduates Pathway
• New Brunswick Priority Occupations Pathway

Each pathway has its own eligibility criteria in addition to the basic requirements for the Skilled Worker stream. Here’s a look at each pathway:

• Work Experience Pathway: Applicants must have worked in a full-time, non-seasonal position for a New Brunswick employer in the past 6 months and must have lived in New Brunswick during that time.
• Graduates Pathway: Candidates must have completed a program at a New Brunswick Designated Learning Institution (DLI) eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and must have a full-time, non-seasonal job or a job offer from an eligible employer.
• Priority Occupations Pathway: This pathway targets applicants who have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an employer that participated in a government-led recruitment mission. These applicants must have at least one year of relevant work experience and must be in a position listed under specified priority National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes.

At this time, New Brunswick will not be accepting applications from candidates in certain occupations under this stream, including:

• Accounting technicians and bookkeepers (NOC 12200)
• Administrative assistants (NOC 13110)
• Shippers and receivers (NOC 14400)
• Restaurant and food service managers (NOC 60030)
• Food service supervisors (NOC 62020)
• Cooks and bakers (NOC 63200, 63202)

4. New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream

This stream is still accepting EOIs. Applicants who own or operate a business in New Brunswick that has been in operation for at least six months are eligible to apply for a nomination.

5. New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot Program

The Critical Worker Pilot program is accepting applications as usual.

6. Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The Atlantic Immigration Program remains open and is accepting applications for 2025.

Future Changes to New Brunswick’s Immigration Allocations

New Brunswick’s future immigration allocations remain uncertain. The province has made its concerns known to the federal government, and discussions are ongoing. Similar provinces that saw a reduction in immigration spaces for 2025, like Newfoundland and Labrador, have managed to secure more spots by striking agreements with the federal government. Newfoundland and Labrador’s negotiations resulted in a significant reduction in their allocation cuts, from 50% to only a 2.3% decrease compared to the previous year.

Given these developments, it is possible that New Brunswick could enter into similar negotiations with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to restore its allocation. However, this will likely require a commitment from New Brunswick to accept additional humanitarian immigrants, as Newfoundland and Labrador has done.

Conclusion

New Brunswick’s immigration system is beginning to reopen, but with limited spaces and a focus on critical sectors. The province’s reduced allocations will pose challenges to its ability to manage future growth, but ongoing discussions with the federal government may lead to positive changes in the coming months. Those interested in immigrating to New Brunswick should carefully monitor updates for any changes to the provincial streams or nomination spaces as the year progresses.

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