July 14, 2026
New Brunswick remains committed to creating new avenues for international graduates to come and settle in the province. The Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program is one of the more promising options currently available, and is for students who graduated from an eligible private career college, but do not meet the criteria for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
This pilot program may offer a distinctive route to permanent residency to those who are planning a study experience in Canada or already attending a qualified private college in New Brunswick.
The Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program is what?
The Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program is a Provincial immigration program called the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP). It was established to facilitate permanent residency for international students who have graduated from certain private career colleges and to fill the workforce gap in the province. Graduates from this pilot program can still have a path to permanent residence even if their program does not qualify them for a federal Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Why was this program necessary?
Unfortunately, many private career college programs do not qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, increasing the challenges for international graduates to secure work experience in Canada and ultimately permanent residence.
To meet this challenge the Government of New Brunswick implemented this pilot program to:
- Retain skilled graduates in the province.
- Support the employers in filling the labour shortages.
- Support economic growth.
- Develop a pathway for graduates in in-demand jobs to access immigration.
Who Can Apply?
Generally applicants are required to:
- Complete an eligible program of a participating private career college in New Brunswick.
- Get a full-time job offer from an employer in New Brunswick who is eligible for the program.
- Fulfill the language requirements.
- Show a desire to be a permanent citizen of New Brunswick.
- Be eligible for the program under the provincial eligibility requirements.
Eligibility criteria may vary, so please check the most current ones prior to your application.
Which Colleges Participate?
This pilot is now available to graduates of the following private career colleges:
- Eastern College
- Oulton College
Not all programs or campus are eligible, as the program only applies to those that are listed.
What is the application process like?
The Government of New Brunswick has provided a simple application process:
- Take a work offer, if it is not a job offer that is not suitable.
- Indicate in an Expression of Interest (EOI).
- Get an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- Apply for provincial nomination.Apply to be provincially nominated.
- Become eligible for a provincial nomination and a work permit support letter.
- Apply for your work permit and permanent residence with immigration, refugees and citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Benefits of the Pilot Program
Applicants who successfully complete the Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program will have a number of benefits:
A Pathway Without a PGWP
The most significant advantage of the program is that it provides an immigration opportunity for those graduates whose studies do not give them eligibility for a federal Post-Graduation Work Permit.
Support for Employers
Firms that are unable to find skilled employees and would like to employ a qualified graduate can apply for the qualified graduate’s permanent residence status while employing them.
Faster Transition to Permanent Residence
In addition to federal immigration streams, qualified graduates can also get a provincial nomination in some instances, which can enhance their chances of getting permanent residency.
Practice: Labour Market Needs
By focusing on occupations with ongoing New Brunswick employer needs, the pilot supports businesses and newcomers, and is helping both succeed.
Program Extension
The pilot program has been successful thus far and has been extended beyond its original time frame in New Brunswick. The province initially extended this pilot for a further six years (until 2026) for a subset of eligible students and more recently, announced that it will further extend this pilot to the end of 2027, bringing the total period of the pilot to eight years, and providing the pathway to help more eligible students currently enrolled in participating programs benefit.
Is this program suitable for you?
This pilot may be an excellent option if you:
- Interested in attending a private career college in New Brunswick that participates in this program.
- Are pursuing an eligible program.
- Make a career plan to build your career in NB.
- Intend to become a Canadian permanent resident.
But each applicant’s situation is unique. Selecting the right education program and pathway to immigration is a careful consideration because provincial programs may undergo changes depending on the labour market needs and annual immigration targets.
Final Thoughts
For students from overseas countries who may not be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, the New Brunswick Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program is an exciting opportunity to set up their future in Canada.
The program links education to employment and to a pathway to permanent settlement in New Brunswick while contributing to the province’s workforce requirements and providing a pathway for eligible graduates to settle permanently in New Brunswick.
Professional guidance can help you make informed decisions from the outset so that you can consider studying in New Brunswick or find out if this pilot program is a good fit for your plans to immigrate.
At Green Dot Immigration, we not only assist with Canadian immigration applications but also represent several colleges and educational institutions across Canada. Our team can help you choose the right program, guide you through the admission process, and support you with your study permit application and long-term immigration plans. Whether you’re planning to study in New Brunswick or another province, we’re here to help you take the next step toward your future in Canada. Contact us today to get started.
