New Brunswick Pauses Several Permanent Residence Pathways

New Brunswick has temporarily paused some of its immigration streams, as the province has reached its candidate allocation for the year. As of November 15, the following pathways are suspended:

• New Brunswick Atlantic Immigration Program
• New Brunswick Private Career College Graduate Pilot
• Exploratory Visit Connection under the New Brunswick Strategic Initiative
  
  

New Brunswick Atlantic Immigration Program

Paused until: End of Year

New Brunswick is not currently accepting or processing Employer Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). However, the province will continue processing applications for candidates who have already submitted full Employer Designation applications. Candidates with an employer Invitation to Apply (ITA) can still proceed with their Employer Designation application.

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) helps skilled workers settle in Atlantic Canada. To qualify, candidates need a job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada. If you are interested, consider exploring options in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, or Prince Edward Island, where the AIP is still active.

New Brunswick Private Career College Graduate Pilot

Paused until: End of Year

New Brunswick has also paused issuing new nomination certificates under the Private Career College Graduate Pilot. Candidates who receive an ITA can still submit their nomination application.

If your 90-day eligibility window expires before nominations resume in January, you will need to explore other immigration pathways. This program is for international graduates of select one-year and two-year programs in fields like IT, education, cybersecurity, and healthcare. It is aimed at private career college graduates who do not qualify for the federal Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Exploratory Visit Connection under New Brunswick Strategic Initiative

Paused until: Further Notice

The Exploratory Visit Connection under the New Brunswick Strategic Initiative has been paused, and no new ITAs will be issued at this time. Current Expressions of Interest (EOIs) in the system will remain valid for up to 365 days from their submission date and will be considered if the stream reopens during that time.

This pathway is specifically for French-speaking candidates from outside Canada. It requires candidates to make an in-person exploratory visit to New Brunswick for at least five full business days within 12 months of submitting an EOI. The visit is intended to help with job research, and candidates must submit a detailed Exploratory Visit Report with their application.

Other Opportunities in New Brunswick

For those interested in settling in New Brunswick, there are still other options under the Strategic Initiative. You may qualify if you meet one of the following conditions:

• Have a job or a genuine job offer with a New Brunswick employer.
• Meet one of the province’s priority criteria:
• Completed a study program at Université de Moncton or Collège Communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB) within the past six months.
• Have lived in New Brunswick for 12 months and worked remotely for a Canadian company located outside Quebec for the same time period.
• Received a letter of interest from a New Brunswick Immigration Officer.

It’s common for provincial immigration programs to close once they reach their annual quotas. Make sure to check back in early 2025 to see if these pathways have reopened.