The province of New Brunswick (NB) continues to accelerate its immigration efforts, holding multiple Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws between October 6 and 9, 2025, issuing over 500 invitations to skilled applicants seeking Canadian permanent residency (PR) mostly inside Canada on work permits.
Breakdown of the New Brunswick PNP Draws — October 2025
The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) conducted three separate draws under its Express Entry and Skilled Worker streams. Let’s look into the specifics:
| Stream | Pathway | Date(s) | Invitations Issued | Targeted Sectors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Express Entry | Employment in New Brunswick | Oct 8–9 | 221 | All sectors |
| Skilled Worker | New Brunswick Experience | Oct 6–7 | 91 | Healthcare |
| Skilled Worker | New Brunswick Graduates | Oct 6–7 | 210 | Healthcare, Education, Community Services, Construction |
If we calculate we see total of 522 Invitations To Apply (ITA) were issued, marking one of the province’s largest draws of the year.
Eligibility for the New Brunswick PNP Express Entry Stream
Applicants selected through the Employment in New Brunswick pathway were required to:
- Hold full-time, non-seasonal employment with a New Brunswick employer in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation;
- Possess at least 12 months of local work experience in the same occupation;
- Have resided in New Brunswick for at least one year prior to application.
This stream aligns with the federal Express Entry system, offering faster processing for eligible candidates who secure a provincial nomination — effectively boosting their chances for Canada PR approval.
New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream — Targeting In-Demand Professions
The Skilled Worker Stream focuses on foreign nationals currently employed or holding job offers from eligible New Brunswick employers.
To qualify, under New Brunswick Experience applicants must have:
- A minimum of six months of work experience with their supporting employer;
- Lived in the province for at least six months;
- A valid, full-time, non-seasonal job offer in priority sectors.
* The October 6–7 draw period did not include NOC 75101 – Material handlers
To qualify under New Brunswick graduates applicants need to have:
- completed a program of study that is eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at a designated learning institution (DLI) located in New Brunswick.
- working a full time in a non-seasonal position for an eligible New Brunswick employer who is willing to support your application or have accepted an offer for such a position.
How Many NB Invitations Issued So Far?
NB has issued a total of 3,589 invitations in 2025 so far which makes New Brunswick one of the most active provinces for immigration in Canada. The province’s PNP allocation increased from 1500 to 3,000 spots this year as federal government approved the province’s request for more PNP spots.
The number of invitations issued is higher than number of nominations received to account for applications which get cancelled, withdrawn and fails to meet the requirements.
These draws present a golden opportunity for skilled workers and international graduates present in Canada aiming to settle permanently in Canada through the New Brunswick immigration program.
Once you get nominated from the province you can apply for permanent residency through IRCC. If you are on PGWP in Canada and your permit is expiring , you can apply to extend your work permit with the PNP certificate, don’t forget to pay the employer compliance fees in closed work permit applications.
Important Information For International students in Canada
If you are an international student in Canada and exploring the pathways for Permanent Residency, you should consider NBPNP due to:
- Priority to skilled workers in healthcare, childcare and trades;
- No work experience needed under NB graduate stream;
- Multiple Express Entry linked draws;
- High nomination quotas and clear eligibility requirements.
International students who are planning to study in Canada, choose New Brunswick for it’s low tuition fees colleges and easy immigration programs. If you are looking for admissions contact us for assistance.
