Study in New Brunswick

If your goal is to study in Canada then pay close attention. Opportunities NB (ONB) and Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have partnered up to provide New Brunswick with its newest immigration stream for international students who study in New Brunswick and graduate from one of the province’s four private colleges, within the 19 targeted occupations.

As of April 1, 2022, international graduates from Atlantic Business College, Eastern College, McKenzie College, and Oulton College, will be eligible to apply to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). With the increased competition for skilled labour, international graduates will now be able to live and work in New Brunswick while waiting for permanent residency for New Brunswick to develop the skilled workers they need. 

What are PNPs?

Provincial Nominee Programs or PNPs offer a pathway to Canadian permanent residency through immigrating to a specific province or territory. Program requirements and procedures vary by province or territory, as all PNPs are uniquely designed to cater to each Canadian province’s or territory’s economic, labour market, and demographic demand.

What are the requirements for this new immigration stream?

New graduates from the designated colleges who are not eligible for the federal Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program may be able to apply under this new immigration stream. However, the New Brunswick government has indicated via a news release that “This stream will limit participation to New Brunswick Designated Learning Institutions that have held this designation for at least five years.” 

The designated institutions offer eligible programs of study in the following areas: education and social development, health care, information technology, and cyber security, business administration, and supply chain and logistics. 

International students graduating from publicly-funded New Brunswick post-secondary intuitions are still eligible for other streams of permanent residency. Specific details and requirements of the new immigration stream will be provided in the Fall.

What are the targeted occupations?

Targeted occupations include: 

• social and community service workers;
• early childhood educators and assistants;
• educational assistants;
• health-care aides;
• home support workers;
• licensed practical nurses;
• paramedics and related occupations;
• medical laboratory technologists;
• medical laboratory technicians and pathologists’ assistants;
• medical administrative assistants;
• computer programmers and interactive media developers;
• web designers and developers;
• computer network technicians;
• user support technicians;
• accounting technicians and bookkeepers;
• payroll clerks;
• shippers and receivers;
• supply chain and logistics supervisors; and
• production logistics co-ordinators