Provincial Immigration Update : New Brunswick and Manitoba Issue Fresh PNP Invitations in December
Provincial Immigration Update: New Brunswick and Manitoba Issue Fresh PNP Invitations in December 2025
Canada’s provincial immigration landscape saw renewed momentum in December 2025, as New Brunswick and Manitoba each conducted targeted Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws. While New Brunswick restarted its nomination activity after a brief pause, Manitoba continued its strategic recruitment approach by inviting skilled workers both inside Canada and overseas.
New Brunswick Restarts PNP Draws with Francophone-Focused Selection
After no invitation rounds since mid-November, the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) resumed activity on December 9, 2025, issuing a new set of provincial Invitations to Apply.
A total of 110 ITAs were released through employment-linked pathways, with Francophone candidates being prioritised across all occupational sectors.
New Brunswick PNP Draw – 9 December 2025
- Total ITAs issued: 110
- Streams included:
- New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
- New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
- Candidate focus: Francophone applicants
- EOI cut-off date: December 8, 2025 (11:59 p.m. AST)
- CRS cutoff: Not applicable (non-CRS provincial draw)
- Processing timeline: Applications to be processed in 2026
Invitation Distribution by Stream and Pathway (NBPNP)
| Stream | Pathway | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|
| NB Express Entry | Employment in New Brunswick | 8 |
| NB Skilled Worker | NB Experience & NB Graduates | 102 |
The draw clearly favoured candidates with existing employment or education ties to New Brunswick, a trend that has become increasingly consistent across NBPNP selections.
Who Qualified Under New Brunswick’s Selected Pathways?
Express Entry – Employment in New Brunswick
- Active federal Express Entry profile
- At least 12 months of residence in New Brunswick
- Full-time, non-seasonal job in a TEER 0–3 occupation
- Minimum CLB 7 language score and secondary education
Sharp Decline in Temporary Resident Admissions
In a major policy shift, the federal government has announced plans to substantially reduce the number of temporary resident admissions beginning in 2026:
| Category | 2025 Target | 2026 Target | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Temporary Residents | 673,650 | 385,000 | ↓ 43% |
| International Students | 305,900 | 155,000 | ↓ 49% |
| Temporary Foreign Workers | 367,750 | 230,000 | ↓ 37% |
Skilled Worker – NB Experience
- Full-time employment with a supporting NB employer
- Minimum six months of work experience with that employer
- Residence in New Brunswick for at least six months
Skilled Worker – NB Graduates
- Graduation from a PGWP-eligible program at a New Brunswick DLI
- Full-time employment or a job offer from an eligible NB employer
Manitoba Issues Strategic Invitations to Skilled Workers
A few days later, Manitoba conducted its own provincial draw. On December 18, 2025, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) invited skilled workers through targeted recruitment initiatives. In total, 63 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) were issued to candidates under Manitoba’s Skilled Worker streams.
Manitoba PNP Draw – 18 December 2025
- Total LAAs issued: 63
- Streams selected:
- Skilled Worker in Manitoba
- Skilled Worker Overseas
- Selection method: Strategic Recruitment Initiatives
- CRS cutoff: Not published
- Candidates with Express Entry profiles: 8
Manitoba Draw Results by Recruitment Category
| Recruitment Category | LAAs Issued |
|---|---|
| Employer Services | 10 |
| Francophone Community | 27 |
| Regional Communities | 5 |
| Temporary Public Policy (TPP) | 21 |
The largest share of invitations went to Francophone candidates and individuals supported under Manitoba’s temporary work permit facilitation policy.
*Want to apply for MPNP? Let the universal adviser guide you through the process.
What Manitoba’s Selection Categories Reveal
- Employer Services: Helps approved employers retain foreign workers
- Francophone Community: Targets candidates whose French proficiency equals or exceeds English
- Regional Communities: Supports immigration outside Winnipeg
- TPP: Linked to temporary public policy for work permit facilitation
BC Nears Full Use of 2025 Nomination Allocation
Key Questions for Provincial Nominee Applicants
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to an Express Entry profile or allows direct PR application through non-Express Entry streams.
Not always. Some PNP streams require a job offer, while others select candidates directly from the Express Entry pool based on skills and experience.
What This Means for Provincial Nominee Applicants
- New Brunswick is strengthening its focus on Francophone talent and locally employed workers
- Manitoba continues to rely on employer-driven and strategically selected candidates
For candidates planning permanent residence in 2026, provincial nomination remains one of the strongest immigration routes – but success increasingly depends on language ability, employer backing, and strong provincial connections.
Recent News
- New Brunswick Invites Skilled Workers and French Speakers in Latest PNP Draw
- Ontario Receives 14,119 Immigration Nominations for 2026
- Alberta Issues Over 1,100 Immigration Invitations in First AAIP Selections of 2026
- Canada Launches Historic Express Entry Draw Focused on French Speakers
- BC PNP Starts 2026 With 429 Skills Immigration Invitations
