New Brunswick extends student pathway to permanent residence
New Brunswick has extended a study-to-immigrate permanent residence pathway for international student graduates of two private colleges.
The Private Career College Graduate Pilot is now set to remain open to international student graduates of select healthcare and child education programs at Oulton College and Eastern College until December 31, 2027.
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Through the Pilot, graduates with program-related full-time job offers can be nominated for permanent residence by the province, and can obtain authorization to work while their application for permanent residence is being processed.
The Pilot provides a lifeline for participants seeking to work and live in Canada after graduating, who would otherwise be at risk of losing their status.
Oulton and Eastern graduates are not eligible for the federal government’s flagship post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
International student graduates frequently rely on the PGWP, an open work permit issued for up to three years, to obtain authorization to work in Canada while pursuing permanent residence through provincial or federal pathways.
Prior to the extension announced on New Brunswick’s Important Notices webpage on July 3, 2026, the pilot had been set to close on December 31, 2026.
According to the province, the most recent extension aims to accommodate international students currently enrolled in eligible programs of study “who would not have graduated prior to the pilot’s original end date.”
Which programs of study are eligible under this pilot?
Only foreign nationals who have completed an eligible program of study at a New Brunswick campus of either Oulton College or Eastern College are eligible under the Pilot.
A full-time, non-seasonal job offer in an eligible priority occupation directly related to the foreign national’s program of study is required.
For each college, the eligible programs of study and their corresponding occupations are as follows:
Eastern College
| Child and Youth Care with Addictions Support Worker | Social and community service workers (42201) |
| Early Childhood Education | Early childhood educators and assistants (42202) |
| Medical Administrative Specialist | Medical administrative assistants (13112) |
| Personal Support Worker | Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates (33102) Home support workers, housekeepers, and related occupations (44101) |
Oulton College
| Early Childhood Education / Educational Assistant | Early childhood educators and assistants (42202) Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (43100) |
| Child and Youth Care | Social and community service workers (42201) |
| Human Services Counsellor | |
| Medical Office Administration | Medical administrative assistants (13112) |
| Medical Laboratory Assistant | Medical laboratory technician and pathologist assistants (33101) |
| Medical Laboratory Technology | Medical laboratory technologists (32120) |
| Practical Nurse | Licensed practical nurses (32101) |
| Primary Care Paramedic | Paramedic and related occupations (32102) |
About the Private Career College Graduate Pilot
The New Brunswick Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program offers a permanent residence pathway for international graduates of select one- and two-year programs at eligible private career colleges.
The Pilot was launched in September of 2022 and was intended to remain open for three years. This marks the province’s second extension of the pilot, following an earlier extension in February 2026 that kept the program in place through the end of the year.
In addition to completing an eligible program of study at a participating private career college and having a qualifying job offer, candidates must also:
- Be at least 19 years old;
- Meet a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 in all four language abilities; and
- Demonstrate a clear intention to live and work permanently in New Brunswick.
International student graduates have 90 days from the program completion date shown on their transcript to secure an eligible job offer, apply for and receive a provincial nomination certificate, and apply for a T13 work permit with the federal government.
The T13 work permit provides provincial nominees with work authorization while Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada processes their permanent residence application. With this permit, nominees can avoid losing status in the interim.
Candidates must continue to meet the conditions of their nomination while their permanent residence application is being processed.
Students who do not qualify for the Pilot, or who will complete their studies after its closure date, are advised to review other immigration options available through New Brunswick.
- Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
- Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
