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New Brunswick starts reopening immigration pathways again

In early 2025, New Brunswick faced a significant challenge when the federal government reduced its immigrant nomination allocation to 2,750 spaces for the year. This marked a substantial decrease from previous years, compelling the province to reassess and restructure its immigration strategies. Despite these constraints, New Brunswick has begun reopening its immigration programs, focusing on critical sectors to sustain economic growth and address labor shortages.

Take a look at the allocation breakdown:

The 2,750 nomination spaces have been divided between two primary programs:

• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): Allocated 1,250 spots.
• New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP): Allocated 1,500 spots.

Given the reduced allocations, the province has prioritized sectors such as health, education, and construction. These industries are deemed essential for the province's infrastructure and public services. Consequently, workers in certain other sectors may face restrictions in participating in the current immigration streams.

To adapt to the new allocation limits, New Brunswick has implemented specific changes across its immigration programs:

New Brunswick Express Entry Stream:

The stream is set to accept new Expressions of Interest (EOIs) under two pathways:

• Employment in New Brunswick
• New Brunswick Interests.

Certain occupations, including accounting technicians, administrative assistants, and food service supervisors, are currently excluded from consideration to align with labor market needs.

New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream:

This stream is not accepting new EOIs due to sufficient existing inventory. Prospective applicants are encouraged to monitor official channels for potential reopening announcements later in the year.

New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream:

The stream has been divided into three distinct pathways:

• New Brunswick Work Experience: For individuals with recent work experience in the province.
• New Brunswick Graduates: Targeting recent graduates from provincial educational institutions with job offers.
• New Brunswick Priority Occupations: Focusing on candidates with job offers in specified high-demand occupations.

Similar to the Express Entry Stream, certain occupations are excluded to better address the province's current labor requirements.

New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream:

For this pathway, applicants must have an established business operating for a minimum of six months within the province to qualify for nomination.

New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot and Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP):

Both programs continue to accept applications, providing pathways for critical workers and facilitating employer-driven immigration to meet specific labor shortages.

The provincial government has expressed concerns regarding the impact of reduced allocations on economic growth and labor market stability. Discussions with federal authorities are ongoing, aiming to address these challenges and potentially secure additional nomination spaces in the future. The outcome of these negotiations could influence the province's immigration strategies and opportunities for prospective immigrants.

Conclusion

New Brunswick's proactive approach to reopening its immigration programs, despite federal allocation reductions, underscores its commitment to addressing critical labor shortages and sustaining economic growth. By strategically prioritizing essential sectors and implementing targeted program adjustments, the province aims to navigate the challenges posed by reduced immigration allocations effectively. Prospective immigrants are encouraged to stay informed about program updates and align their applications with the province's current priorities to enhance their chances of successful nomination.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit or Migrate to Canada, talk to I Can Help Immigration Services, at +1 778 239 7861 or +1 647 453 7660 with RCIC # R413239, Canada’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company to get the best help you need.