New Opportunities for Immigration to New Brunswick: 2025 Update

Starting March 5, 2025, newcomers seeking to immigrate to New Brunswick have the option to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP). This update introduces two specific immigration paths that are aligned with the Express Entry system.

The NBPNP is now accepting applications through the following pathways:

1. Employment in New Brunswick Pathway
2. New Brunswick Interests Pathway

It's important to note that both pathways will exclude certain occupations from consideration. Listed below are the occupations that will not be eligible for invitations:

• Accounting technicians and bookkeepers (NOC 12200)
• Administrative assistants (NOC 13110)
• Retail and wholesale trade managers (NOC 60020)
• Restaurant and food service managers (NOC 60030)
• Retail sales supervisors (NOC 62010)
• Food service supervisors (NOC 62020)
• Cooks (NOC 63200)
• Bakers (NOC 63202)

This revision reflects the province's adaptation to a reduced immigrant nomination allocation, necessitating stricter criteria to guide candidate acceptance.

Eligibility and Requirements

The NBPNP has also made significant adjustments to eligibility criteria for applicants, including:

• Lowering the minimum age requirement from 22 to 19 years of age.
• Implementing a residency requirement, as well as necessitating at least 12 consecutive months of work experience for those applying under the Employment in New Brunswick pathway.

The March 5 opening will be the first opportunity for applicants in 2025, following essential revisions to streamline the province's immigration streams due to cuts in the provincial nomination quota.

All submitted EOIs will be processed based on specific eligibility conditions rather than a first-come-first-served approach. New Brunswick has received a total immigrant nomination allocation of 2,750, divided between the NBPNP (1,500) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (1,250).

Specific Criteria for Each Pathway

Each of the Express Entry pathways has distinct criteria for candidates to qualify for provincial nomination:

Employment in New Brunswick Pathway

- Must have been living in New Brunswick and employed full-time with a New Brunswick employer for a minimum of 12 consecutive months.

New Brunswick Interests Pathway

- Must have received a letter of interest from ImmigrationNB through their federal Express Entry profile.

- Must have at least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent part-time work experience within the last decade.

Moreover, applicants in both streams must fulfill common eligibility requirements to be considered:

• Hold a valid Express Entry profile.
• Achieve a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level of at least 7 in all four language competencies.
• Comply with the federal minimum proof of funds requirement (where applicable).
• Possess a Canadian high school diploma or an equivalent qualification.
• Intend to establish permanent residence in New Brunswick.
• Be aged between 19 and 55 and score a minimum of 67 points on New Brunswick’s Express Entry selection grid.

It's important to remember that meeting these eligibility requirements does not guarantee an invitation for provincial nomination, as additional conditions may apply based on the specifics of each pathway.

Need help? Book a consultation with Oleg Schindler!