New Brunswick PNP: 498 Invitations Sent to Skilled Workers and Graduates

New Brunswick issued 498 invitations for individuals to apply for the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) on March 5^th and March 6^th, 2025.

These invitations were issued under two of the three NBPNP skilled worker streams: the NB Skilled Worker Experience stream and the NB Skilled Worker Graduates stream. ImmigrationNB issued these invitations to address ongoing labour shortages in specific fields across the province and to strengthen the province’s growing economy.

After a temporary pause on some immigration pathways in 2024 due to reduced immigration allocations for 2025, New Brunswick has revised and reopened its immigration streams designed to better address its labour market needs and goals. On March 5 and 6, 2025, 498 spots under the NBPNP have been filled as the province sent out invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates under the programs experience and graduate’s streams. The province was allocated 2,750 provincial immigration allocations in 2025 split with 1,500 spots being allocated to the NBPNP, and 1,250 spots allocated to the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). Occupation categories that these draws focused on were:

1. Healthcare;
2. Education and Social & Community Services; and
3. Construction trades.

NBPNP: Addressing Labour Shortages

The NBPNP addresses and helps minimize labour shortages in essential fields crucial to the province’s economic stability and development, such as healthcare, technology, and skilled trades. The program allows New Brunswick to meet these needs through various pathways.

The newly updated 2025 NBPNP Skilled Worker stream offers three immigration pathways:

1. Skilled Worker Experience: This stream is designed for skilled workers who have professional experience in occupations that are currently in high demand across NB.
2. Skilled Worker Graduates: This stream is for individuals who have completed their education in NB and are now looking to establish themselves professionally within the province.
3. Skilled Worker Priority Occupations: This is the newest NB skilled worker pathway for applicants with skills in specific in-demand occupations who will help contribute to NB’s economy and fulfill labour market demands.

As indicated on the New Brunswick website, they are not accepting any submissions through the New Brunswick Priority Occupations pathway as of right now.

Expression of Interest System

Applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Immigration New Brunswick portal before they are eligible to apply for a full nomination under the NBPNP. NB does this so that they can assess potential applicants based on its current labour market needs, available allocations, and other priorities. This meticulous process allows the province to make sure that only the most qualified candidates are invited.

After receiving an invitation, candidates are required to submit a complete application within 45 days which the government of NB will then review to confirm that the candidate meets all stream requirements such as; having a genuine offer of employment from a NB employer and full intent to live/work in NB permanently among other requirements. NBPNP does not operate on a first-come first-serve basis, and instead, are carefully selected to meet the province’s labour needs at the time of selection based on the information they provide in their application.

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New Brunswick’s labour market, just like other labour markets right now, is constantly evolving. With a remaining immigration allocation of 1,002 invitations under the NBPNP, additional rounds of invitations will be issued throughout the year. We will be monitoring the situation closely and will be sure to keep you informed as more invitations are issued under either of the two NB immigration programs. Subscribe to our newsletter on the bottom of this page to stay up to date with all Canadian immigration matters!

If you want to know if you would be eligible, please contact us to be able to further guide you.