Alberta Kicks Off 2025 with Provincial Nominee Program Draws, New Brunswick Updates Processing
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) marked the beginning of 2025 by issuing invitations to candidates in its first Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws of the year. These draws, held between February 3 and 6, targeted individuals with professional expertise, experience, and connections to the province.
Meanwhile, New Brunswick has also provided updates on its immigration process following the recent reopening of its Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP). The province has clarified application processing timelines and technical issues with its Expression of Interest (EOI) portal.
Alberta’s First Provincial Draws of 2025 Focus on Rural and Health Care Candidates
In a notable move, Alberta conducted its initial PNP draws of 2025, focusing on the Rural Renewal Stream and the Dedicated Health Care Pathway, which includes both Express Entry and non-Express Entry streams.
The province shared the results of three draws that took place between February 3 and 6:
- February 3, 2025: Rural Renewal Stream
Cut-off score: 68 | Invitations Issued: 190 - February 5, 2025: Dedicated Health Care Pathway (Express Entry)
Cut-off score: 52 | Invitations Issued: 70 - February 6, 2025: Dedicated Health Care Pathway (non-Express Entry)
Cut-off score: 50 | Invitations Issued: 48
The Rural Renewal Stream primarily targets candidates interested in contributing to rural communities, while the health care pathways seek to address staffing shortages in Alberta’s healthcare system. The Dedicated Health Care Pathway features two options: one aligned with the Express Entry system for candidates already in the federal pool, and the non-Express Entry option for those who may not be eligible for the federal program but still meet provincial criteria.
For more information on Alberta’s immigration pathways and eligibility requirements, you can visit the AAIP’s official webpage.
New Brunswick Provides Updates on EOI Portal and Upcoming Draws
New Brunswick’s immigration system, administered through the NBPNP, recently addressed issues surrounding the Expression of Interest (EOI) portal and outlined the next steps for candidates interested in applying to the province.
The province confirmed that scheduled draws for the NBPNP would resume in March 2025, with invitations to apply (ITAs) set to be issued as part of this process. Currently, New Brunswick is reviewing all the EOIs that have been submitted.
However, the NBPNP also acknowledged technical difficulties caused by high traffic on its immigration portal. These issues have impacted users, and the province reassured applicants that its IT team is actively working to resolve the situation.
Additionally, the province clarified that its Skilled Worker Stream is not processed on a “first-come, first-served” basis, meaning that candidates should thoroughly review the updated eligibility criteria, which now include National Occupation Classification (NOC) code restrictions. Submissions to the portal remain valid for one year from the date they are submitted.
What Candidates Should Know About PNP Programs
Both Alberta and New Brunswick are key players in Canada’s provincial immigration efforts, and their recent updates highlight important considerations for prospective applicants. Alberta’s draws primarily focus on specific needs in rural and health care sectors, while New Brunswick is focused on fine-tuning its application processing following technical difficulties.
Candidates interested in the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program should pay close attention to the draw details, particularly the cut-off scores, as these can fluctuate between draws. Those applying to New Brunswick’s PNP should stay informed about upcoming draws and ensure their profiles meet the latest eligibility criteria, including NOC code limitations.
These ongoing updates from Alberta and New Brunswick demonstrate the provinces’ continued commitment to addressing workforce gaps and streamlining immigration processing in 2025.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
