New Brunswick Narrows Immigration Pathway to Three Sectors

New Brunswick has narrowed one of its immigration pathways to focus only on workers in health care, education, and construction trades.

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program, known as the NBPNP, announced that starting May 4, 2026, new invitations to apply under the NB Experience pathway of the Skilled Worker Stream will go only to candidates working in those three sectors.

The province said this rule will stay in place “until further notice.”

The change means people working outside health care, education, and construction trades will not receive new invitations through this pathway for now, even if they have already submitted an Expression of Interest.

Limited Nomination Spaces

New Brunswick said the move is linked to the small number of nomination spaces still available under the stream.

The province has not publicly confirmed its full 2026 nomination allocation. However, recent trends suggest New Brunswick may have about 3,603 nomination spots for the year.

It remains unclear how those spaces are divided among the province’s different immigration streams and pathways.

Provincial nominee programs allow provinces to select candidates who can help meet local labour needs. In New Brunswick’s case, the latest change shows a stronger focus on sectors where demand remains high.

What Other Candidates Can Do

Candidates who already submitted an Expression of Interest under the Skilled Worker Stream, but who do not work in one of the three targeted sectors, may still have options.

The Government of New Brunswick says eligible candidates can withdraw their current Expression of Interest and submit a new one under another program or stream.

They may also keep their existing profile and create a separate INB profile to submit another Expression of Interest. Eligible candidates may also apply for an endorsement under the Atlantic Immigration Program].

Those who choose the second option must use a different email address from the one linked to their current NBPNP Expression of Interest.

Earlier Program Changes

This is the latest in a series of changes to New Brunswick’s immigration system.

On February 3, 2026, the province stopped accepting new Expressions of Interest and stopped issuing invitations to workers in the accommodation and food services sector, listed as NAICS 72, under its Skilled Worker and Express Entry streams.

For the Skilled Worker Stream, New Brunswick also stopped considering candidates in 14 National Occupational Classification codes. These include cashiers, retail sales supervisors, and service station attendants.

For the Express Entry Stream, four specific occupation codes were also made ineligible.

The province also extended its Private Career College Graduate Pilot until the end of 2026. However, the extension applies only to international students already enrolled in eligible programs at two New Brunswick colleges.