New Brunswick Opens Two Express Entry Pathways for Immigration Starting March 5, 2025
New Brunswick Opens Two Express Entry Pathways
New Brunswick is making significant changes to its immigration programs, introducing new application intake processes for two Express Entry-aligned pathways under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP).
Beginning March 5, 2025, eligible candidates can submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) through the Employment in New Brunswick and New Brunswick Interests pathways.
Key Updates to the NBPNP
The provincial government has introduced stricter eligibility requirements while also expanding access to younger candidates. Some of the most notable updates include:
- Lower Minimum Age Requirement: The minimum eligible age for applicants has been reduced from 22 to 19 years old.
- Enhanced Residency and Work Experience Criteria: Candidates applying under the Employment in New Brunswick pathway must have lived in the province and worked full-time for a local employer for at least 12 consecutive months.
- Limited Nomination Allocations: New Brunswick has received 2,750 spots for 2025 due to federal cuts in provincial nomination allocations. Of these, 1,500 will be processed through the NBPNP, while 1,250 will be allocated under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
- No First-Come-First-Served Processing: EOIs submitted under these pathways will not be processed in the order they are received, meaning the selection is based on other factors.
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria Explained
While both pathways fall under Express Entry, they have distinct eligibility conditions that applicants must meet.
Employment in New Brunswick Pathway
To qualify under this stream, candidates must:
- Have lived and worked full-time in New Brunswick for at least 12 consecutive months before applying.
New Brunswick Interests Pathway
Eligibility for this pathway includes:
- Receiving a Letter of Interest from New Brunswick’s immigration authorities in their federal Express Entry profile.
- Having at least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent part-time work experience within the last decade.
Common Requirements for Both Pathways
Regardless of the pathway, applicants must also:
- Hold a valid Express Entry profile.
- Meet the federal minimum proof of funds requirement (if applicable).
- Demonstrate English or French proficiency at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level 7 in all four language skills.
- Possess a Canadian high school diploma or an equivalent foreign credential.
- Intend to settle and work permanently in New Brunswick.
- Be between 19 and 55 years old.
- Achieve a minimum score of 67 points on New Brunswick’s Express Entry selection grid.
- Hold a job classified under National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER levels 0, 1, 2, or 3.
Occupations Excluded from Provincial Nomination
Not all professions qualify for provincial nomination under these pathways. The following occupations are currently ineligible:
| Job Title | NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Accounting technicians and bookkeepers | 12200 |
| Administrative assistants | 13110 |
| Bakers | 63202 |
| Cooks | 63200 |
| Food service supervisors | 62020 |
| Restaurant and food service managers | 60030 |
| Retail and wholesale trade managers | 60020 |
| Retail sales supervisors | 62010 |
New Education Category
The newly introduced Education category includes five occupations:
| Job Title | NOC Code | TEER Level |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants | 43100 | 3 |
| Instructors of persons with disabilities | 42203 | 2 |
| Early childhood educators and assistants | 42202 | 2 |
| Elementary school and kindergarten teachers | 41221 | 1 |
| Secondary school teachers | 41220 | 1 |
What This Means for Potential Applicants
New Brunswick’s latest updates reflect a shift towards prioritizing candidates with stronger ties to the province and those with higher-skilled work experience. While the province aims to attract skilled workers, it has also tightened eligibility in response to federal limitations on immigration quotas.
Aspiring immigrants who meet the new criteria should prepare their applications carefully, ensuring they align with the selection factors. The province continues to emphasize that fulfilling eligibility conditions does not guarantee an invitation for provincial nomination.
As New Brunswick progresses with these changes, prospective candidates are encouraged to stay informed and assess their eligibility before submitting their EOIs.
