NB Issues 522 Invitations Across Express Entry and Skilled Worker

(NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA) New Brunswick issued 522 invitations to immigration candidates across its Express Entry and Skilled Worker streams in draws held from October 6 to 9, 2025, signaling a push to fill jobs in healthcare, education, social services, and construction. Provincial officials focused on candidates already working in the province, along with recent graduates of local colleges and universities, underscoring the government’s near-term plan to match talent to open roles in key sectors across Canada 🇨🇦.

The largest share—221 invitations—went through the Express Entry – Employment in NB stream on October 8–9. This group covered all sectors but was limited to candidates with valid employment in New Brunswick. A further 91 invitations were issued through the Skilled Worker – Experience Pathway on October 6–7, targeting healthcare professionals to ease shortages in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care homes. Another 210 invitations went to the Skilled Worker – Graduates Pathway over the same two days, focusing on recent graduates in healthcare, education, social and community services, and construction trades. The province excluded NOC 75101 (Material handlers) from the graduates draw.

Every draw used a single cut-off point: profiles created on or before October 5, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. AST were considered. New Brunswick did not publish minimum score thresholds. Instead, the province followed its Expression of Interest (EOI) process, selecting candidates based on current labour needs and provincial priorities. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this mirrors how New Brunswick has steered its program all year—favoring applicants who can move into roles quickly, especially in healthcare and education.

Draw Details and Eligibility

Officials confirmed three targeted pathways across the October round:

• Express Entry – Employment in NB (October 8–9): 221 invitations, open to all sectors for candidates with valid employment in New Brunswick.
• Skilled Worker – Experience Pathway (October 6–7): 91 invitations, focused on healthcare professionals with work experience in the province.
• Skilled Worker – Graduates Pathway (October 6–7): 210 invitations, aimed at recent graduates from New Brunswick post-secondary schools in healthcare, education, social services, and construction roles; NOC 75101 was excluded.

Key administrative notes that applied across all draws:

• Cut-off date: Profiles created on or before October 5, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. AST were eligible.
• No published scores: The province did not announce minimum points or ranking details.
• Selection model: Invitations were issued through an EOI system designed to respond to provincial labour market needs rather than a fixed points threshold.

Stream-specific focus

• For the Express Entry – Employment in NB stream, the primary requirement was valid employment in the province, rewarding applicants who have already demonstrated commitment to New Brunswick communities and workplaces.
• The Skilled Worker – Experience Pathway prioritized healthcare roles—addressing shortages of nurses, personal support workers, lab technologists, and other health staff across urban and rural areas.
• The Skilled Worker – Graduates Pathway targeted the local talent pipeline from colleges and universities, helping employers hire graduates who already live in the province and understand local workplaces. The exclusion of NOC 75101 (Material handlers) suggests adequate local supply for that role or a strategic balancing of occupations.

The Government of New Brunswick updates draw results and selection guidance on its official site. Applicants can confirm program details, eligibility, and the latest draw information through the Government of New Brunswick immigration program.

Policy Context and Impact

The October draws fit a broader 2025 trend: New Brunswick is issuing more invitations to candidates who are ready to work in fields that deliver essential services. The province’s immigration allocation rose mid-year, enabling a larger number of invitations and more sector-specific targeting. VisaVerge.com reports that New Brunswick continues to prioritize:

• Candidates with local work experience
• Recent graduates trained in New Brunswick institutions
• People in high-demand occupations, especially in healthcare and education

This strategy has practical effects for both newcomers and employers.

Practical effects by stream

1. Express Entry – Employment in NB
   • Offers a clearer path to provincial nomination, which can add 600 points to a federal Express Entry profile.
   • Can support a faster move to permanent residence once nominated.
   • The sector-agnostic design plus employment requirement signals a desire to retain workers already contributing to the local economy.
2. Skilled Worker – Experience Pathway
   • The 91 invitations align with reporting from hospitals and clinics about burnout and retirements.
   • Candidates with provincial work experience may receive faster outcomes, since they can fill essential shifts with minimal additional training.
3. Skilled Worker – Graduates Pathway
   • The 210 invitations tie education to retention by converting post-graduation talent into permanent hires.
   • Focused on sectors where wage growth and job postings remain solid.
   • The exclusion of NOC 75101 (Material handlers) hints at sufficient local supply or a strategic intake balance.

For families and communities, this approach means quicker staffing for classrooms, clinics, and infrastructure projects. Students who completed diplomas or degrees in New Brunswick may more easily transition from post‑graduation work permits to permanent roles backed by provincial support. Employers who have trained newcomers on the job can retain them, reducing turnover and recruitment costs.

Applicant Guidance and Next Steps

The October 5, 2025 profile cut-off is crucial. Anyone who created or updated an EOI after that time should watch for future rounds. Because no minimum scores were released, serious candidates should focus on the factors New Brunswick clearly favors:

• Maintain current and accurate EOI profiles before any stated cut-off dates.
• Keep valid job offers and work permits when applying under the Employment in NB stream.
• Gather and retain documents proving education from New Brunswick institutions for the Graduates Pathway.
• Monitor official updates for any sector-specific calls or exclusions.

Important: Since New Brunswick uses an EOI model linked to labour demand, keeping documentation and employment status up to date is often more critical than relying on specific point thresholds.

The draws also highlight the operational difference between provincial and federal selection systems. The federal Express Entry pool ranks candidates by points, while New Brunswick’s EOI-driven model targets people who meet current provincial job demands. By issuing targeted invitations, the province can place skilled workers into roles where they are needed now while remaining within the federal immigration framework.

New Brunswick’s October draws reinforce a clear message: the province will continue to invite people who can strengthen hospitals, schools, community agencies, and building sites. Observers expect the province to maintain this focused approach for the remainder of the year, closely tied to frontline needs and provincial labour-market realities.