New Brunswick has extended an important immigration pathway that helps certain international students become permanent residents after graduation.
The province has confirmed that the Private Career College Graduate Pilot will now remain open until December 31, 2027. The extension applies to eligible international graduates from selected healthcare and early childhood education programs offered at Oulton College and Eastern College.
Eligible candidates can assess their eligibility for New Brunswick’s enhanced Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) pathways before applying.
Through this pilot, graduates who receive an eligible full-time job offer related to their studies may qualify for a provincial nomination for permanent residence. They can also apply for work authorization while their permanent residence application is under review.
The program continues to provide valuable support for graduates who wish to build their future in New Brunswick after completing their education.
Many graduates from Oulton College and Eastern College are not eligible for the federal Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Because of this, the pilot offers an alternative pathway that allows eligible graduates to remain in Canada and continue working while pursuing permanent residence.
Before this latest announcement, the pilot was scheduled to end on December 31, 2026. According to an update published on New Brunswick’s Important Notices webpage on July 3, 2026, the extension is intended to support students who are already enrolled in eligible programs but would not have completed their studies before the previous closing date.
Eligible Programs Of Study Under The Pilot
Only international graduates who complete an approved program at a New Brunswick campus of either Oulton College or Eastern College can qualify under this pilot.
Applicants must also receive a full-time, non-seasonal job offer in an approved occupation that is directly connected to their program of study.
The eligible programs and related occupations are listed below.
Eastern College
| Programs Of Study | Eligible Occupations |
| Education and Social Development | |
| Child and Youth Care with Addictions Support Worker | Social and community service workers (42201) |
| Early Childhood Education | Early childhood educators and assistants (42202) |
| Health | |
| 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
| Programs Of Study | Eligible Occupations |
| Education and Social Development | |
| 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 | |
| Health | |
| 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 Private Career College Graduate Pilot was introduced in September 2022 to help international graduates from selected private career colleges settle permanently in New Brunswick.
The program is available to graduates of approved one-year and two-year programs offered by participating institutions.
This is the second extension announced for the pilot. Earlier in February 2026, the province extended the program until the end of 2026. The latest decision now keeps the pathway open until the end of 2027, giving current students more time to benefit from the program.
Besides graduating from an eligible program and securing a qualifying job offer, applicants must also meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 19 years old
- Meet Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 in all four language skills
- Show a genuine intention to live and work permanently in New Brunswick
Graduates have 90 days from the completion date listed on their transcript to complete several important steps. During this period, they must secure an eligible job offer, receive a provincial nomination certificate, and apply for a T13 work permit from the federal government.
The T13 work permit allows provincial nominees to continue working legally in Canada while Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reviews their permanent residence application. This helps graduates maintain their legal status and continue their employment during the waiting period.
Applicants must continue meeting all nomination requirements until a final decision is made on their permanent residence application.
Graduates who are not eligible under this pilot, or students who will complete their studies after the program closes, are encouraged to explore other immigration pathways available through New Brunswick.
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