Canada has extended a special immigration pathway that allows international graduates, including Nigerians, to pursue permanent residency through employment after completing selected programmes at two private colleges in New Brunswick. The province announced that its Private Career College Graduate Pilot will remain open until December 31, 2027, one year beyond its previous closing date of December 31, 2026.
Extension Ensures Students Are Not Left Behind
The extension is designed to ensure that students already enrolled in qualifying programmes are not cut off from the initiative simply because they would not have graduated before the original deadline. New Brunswick said the decision was made specifically to accommodate international students 'who would not have graduated prior to the pilot's original end date.' This marks the second time the programme has been extended since it launched in September 2022, when it was introduced as a measure to address labour shortages by attracting and retaining skilled graduates.
Which Colleges and Programmes Are Covered
The programme covers graduates of Oulton College and Eastern College, both private institutions in New Brunswick. Because graduates of these colleges are not eligible for Canada's federal Post-Graduation Work Permit, the pilot provides an alternative route to permanent residency. Qualifying programmes at Eastern College include Early Childhood Education, Child and Youth Care with Addictions Support Worker, Medical Administrative Specialist and Personal Support Worker. At Oulton College, eligible fields cover Practical Nursing, Medical Laboratory Technology, Medical Laboratory Assistant, Medical Office Administration, Primary Care Paramedic, Early Childhood Education and Educational Assistant, and Child and Youth Care.
How Graduates Can Apply for Permanent Residency
Graduates who secure a full-time, non-seasonal job offer in a field aligned with their studies can receive a provincial nomination for permanent residence. They may also apply for a T13 work permit to legally remain in Canada while Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada processes their permanent residence application, BusinessDay reports.
Requirements Applicants Must Meet
To qualify for the pilot, applicants must have graduated from an approved programme at one of the two colleges, be at least 19 years old, hold a full-time job offer relevant to their area of study, and demonstrate a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark level 5 in either English or French. Graduates have 90 days from the date they complete their studies to obtain an eligible job offer, receive a provincial nomination and submit their T13 work permit application. Those who receive a nomination must continue to meet its conditions throughout the period their permanent residence application remains under review.
Impact on Nigerian Students
The extension is expected to offer greater certainty to Nigerian and other international students who are planning or currently pursuing studies in New Brunswick with long-term settlement in Canada as a goal. According to CicNews, the pilot provides an important alternative for graduates of private colleges who otherwise would not qualify for the federal Post-Graduation Work Permit.
Recent Fee Hikes for Canadian Residency
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the government of Canada has announced an increase in application fees for permanent residence and citizenship for Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking residency in the country. The new fees took effect on April 30, 2026, according to an official notice published on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. IRCC said the hike is aimed at maintaining timely and reliable services and keeping pace with inflation.
