New Brunswick Reopens Immigration Programs

New Brunswick has officially resumed its immigration programs after pausing some pathways in 2024 due to a reduction in the province’s immigrant nomination allocations for 2025. The province stated that it will now begin to “reopen provincial immigration pathways in a controlled manner.”

New Brunswick Immigration Streams

New Brunswick’s various immigration streams include the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream, New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream, New Brunswick Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program, New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream, the Atlantic Immigration Program, and the New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot.

Required Documents

Before submitting your application, you must ensure that you meet all eligibility requirements and have gathered the necessary documents for both Immigration New Brunswick (ImmigrationNB) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Please note that IRCC makes the final decision on your application. You must apply to IRCC for permanent residence approval before the expiration of your New Brunswick nomination.

For detailed information on required documents for the specific stream you are applying under, visit the Government of New Brunswick website.

Reduced Invitations

In a February 5th, 2025, news release titled Federal Program Changes Reduce Provincial Immigration Allocation, Jean-Claude D’Amours, Minister of Immigration, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, expressed that the reduction in invitation allocations represents “a significant step back from previous years.” The decline in available nominations in 2025 is expected to limit New Brunswick’s ability to manage economic growth effectively and in turn, affect the success/growth of businesses in the province.

Last year (2024), New Brunswick was allocated 5,000 nominations, but this year the province received a deduction in allocations and was issued only 2,750 nominations. Following the province’s brief pause, New Brunswick has officially reopened its immigration programs with a focus on attracting skilled workers. The reduced number of nominations has prompted the province to make strategic adjustments to its immigration pathways.

2025 Nomination Allocations

The 2,750 nomination spaces have been strategically allocated across New Brunswick’s two main immigration programs:

• The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP);
• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).

Of these, 1,500 spots are designated for the NBPNP, and 1,250 are reserved for the AIP. This distribution has been carefully and strategically planned by the province of New Brunswick to effectively meet the growing demand for skilled workers.

We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as new information becomes available. The provincial government of New Brunswick has raised nomination concerns with the federal government, and discussions are currently underway to explore opportunities for further improvements. For an in-depth overview of the impacted immigration streams and their specific adjustments, please visit the Government of New Brunswick website.

Despite the reduced invitation allocations, New Brunswick’s immigration programs are reopening with a new and improved strategic focus. If you are considering immigration to New Brunswick or another Canadian province, contact Canadim to explore the best options available to you.