The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) has made significant changes, launching two new enhanced Express Entry-aligned pathways for permanent residence starting March 5, 2025. These pathways, named the Employment in New Brunswick and New Brunswick Interests, are aimed at facilitating the immigration process for eligible foreign nationals.
One of the notable modifications to the program includes lowering the minimum eligible age for applicants to just 19. This change, along with stricter residency requirements, is expected to attract younger immigrants to the province, ensuring they have the means to contribute to the local economy.
New Brunswick has been designated just 2,750 immigrants for 2025, with the allocation divided between the NBPNP (1,500) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) with 1,250 slots available. Officials indicate this strategic limitation reflects the province's intent to prioritize nominee selection to fulfill specific labor market needs.
Meanwhile, another immigration pathway, the Agri-Food Pilot, which has served as one avenue for foreign nationals to secure permanent residency, has officially closed to new applicants as of February 13, 2025. The pilot—the first of its kind launched by the federal government—was primarily targeted at workers involved with agriculture and food processing, including positions related to meat product manufacturing, nursery production, and animal husbandry.
Initially established to run for three years, the Agri-Food Pilot was extended once but will now conclude on May 14, 2025. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has capped the total number of applicants for 2025 to 1,010, indicating strong demand as the program had already received enough applications to fill all slots by mid-February.
This closure leaves many potential applicants scrambling for alternatives. Foreign nationals interested in permanent residency within the agri-food sector can pursue several other avenues. They can look toward the various Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) available, each aligned with local labor needs. Notably, Ontario has established the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), which includes agriculture as one of the in-demand occupations.
Another alternative is the Rural Community Immigration Pilot, which focuses on employer-led immigration for foreign workers who secure job offers from designated employers within selected Canadian communities. Candidates must fulfill requirements related to experience, language proficiency, and education to qualify.
For those considering Express Entry, it's important to note the program continues to list Agriculture and agri-food as eligible categories for 2025, but with limitations—only Butchers (NOC code 63201) remain eligible for the agriculture-focused draws. Other candidates from the sector must meet higher Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores or possess French language ability to qualify for invitations to apply.
Lastly, the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) presents another pathway. This program allows foreign nationals to settle within Atlantic provinces such as New Brunswick, with applicants needing job offers from locally designated employers who endorse their applications. Each province’s designated employers are listed through local government resources.
With New Brunswick already emphasizing the importance of meeting its labor market requirements through these revised immigration programs, the changing climate for foreign workers seeking permanent residence denotes both challenges and opportunities. For immigration assistance, potential applicants are encouraged to contact the Cohen Immigration Law firm to navigate the various available options. Meanwhile, locals are urged to stay informed about the changes and their potential impact on the community and labor dynamics.
New Brunswick's approach not only reshapes the employment and immigration terrain but could also lead to broader discussions around immigration policies and their roles within provincial economies. The upcoming months will be pivotal as these new agri-food pathways come to fruition and the province adapts to the reduced allowances for new permanent residents, pushing for strategic selection to bolster their workforce.
Those intrigued by how these shifts will shape New Brunswick’s future workforce will want to monitor the impacts of such legislative changes moving forward.