New Brunswick has temporarily paused several Permanent Residence (PR) pathways

As of November 15, New Brunswick has temporarily suspended several of its immigration pathways after meeting the candidate allocations for the year. The paused programs include:

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

New Brunswick Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) Paused Until Year-End

The New Brunswick AIP is now closed for new applications, with the province no longer accepting or processing Employer Expressions of Interest (EOIs). However, the province will continue to process applications for candidates who have already submitted complete Employer Designation applications. Candidates who have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from an employer can still submit their Employer Designation application.

New Brunswick has advised candidates to regularly check their website for updates on any changes. While the AIP is paused in New Brunswick, other Atlantic provinces—Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island—continue to accept applications under the program.

The AIP offers skilled workers the opportunity to settle in Atlantic Canada with a job offer from a designated employer in the region.

New Brunswick Private Career College Graduate Pilot Paused Until Year-End

New Brunswick has also paused the issuance of new nomination certificates under the Private Career College Graduate Pilot. Candidates who have received an ITA can still submit their nomination applications, but those who miss the 90-day window for submission once the program resumes in January will no longer be eligible for a provincial nomination under this stream. They will have to explore other immigration pathways.

The Private Career College Graduate Pilot is aimed at international graduates of select one- and two-year programs from private career colleges in New Brunswick. These programs focus on occupations in high-demand fields such as education, IT, cybersecurity, business, supply chain management, and health, with graduates not eligible for the federal Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).