New Brunswick's Provincial Nominee Program uses an Expression-of-Interest system with dedicated streams for skilled workers, graduates and entrepreneurs. In 2026 the province is prioritising health care, education and construction trades. Here's exactly how each stream works and who can still apply.
The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NB PNP) lets the province nominate skilled workers, graduates and entrepreneurs for permanent residence based on its own economic needs. It runs on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system: you submit a profile, it sits in a candidate pool for up to 365 days, and Immigration New Brunswick invites the candidates it needs through periodic selection rounds. A provincial nomination then lets you apply to IRCC for permanent residence.
NB PNP has several streams: the New Brunswick Skilled Worker stream (with three pathways), the New Brunswick Express Entry stream, the New Brunswick Strategic Initiative for French-speaking workers, and the New Brunswick Business Immigration stream, plus the Critical Worker and Private Career College Graduate pilots. In 2026 the province tightened its priorities: invitations now focus on health care, education and construction trades, and several sectors are restricted (see below).
New Brunswick offers a lower cost of living than major Canadian cities, a growing economy, and the advantage of being Canada's only officially bilingual province. That is a strong fit for newcomers who want a high quality of life with genuine community support.
Not sure your occupation is currently accepted? Send us your job title on WhatsApp and we'll tell you which NB stream fits before you spend a dollar.
New Brunswick has limited allocation, so it now steers invitations toward the sectors it needs most and has closed several others. This is the single most important thing to check before you apply: a strong profile in a restricted sector will not be invited.
Effective May 4, 2026 and until further notice, all new Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the NB Skilled Worker stream – New Brunswick Experience pathway will be limited to occupations in the following sectors:
This measure is being implemented due to limited remaining allocation under this stream.
If you currently have an EOI in the NBPNP candidate pool and wish to submit an EOI or application for a different program or stream, you may choose one of the following options:
Source: Immigration New Brunswick · Important notices. We monitor these notices and keep this page current as the province updates its priorities.
Invitations under the Skilled Worker and Express Entry streams focus here (effective May 4, 2026). Recruitment from outside Canada is limited to the first three.
No EOIs or invitations are issued for these, across the Skilled Worker, Express Entry and Atlantic Immigration routes (effective Feb 3, 2026).
Also note: New Brunswick paused new AIP employer-designation applications on Feb 3, 2026 while it reassesses its designated employers, and the Skilled Worker “New Brunswick Experience” pathway was narrowed to health care, education and construction on May 4, 2026. These priorities change, so we track the official notices and confirm your occupation's status before you invest in the process.
Each stream targets a different profile. Most need a genuine connection to New Brunswick: a job, NB study, or time lived in the province. Here's who each one is for and what it takes.
For skilled workers with a real labour-market connection to New Brunswick. Three ways to qualify:
Employed full-time in a non-seasonal role with an eligible NB employer, with 6+ months of experience there, and living in NB for the past 6 months before your EOI. Currently limited to health care, education & construction.
Completed an eligible (PGWP-qualifying) program at a designated NB learning institution, and working full-time non-seasonal for an eligible NB employer (or holding an accepted offer).
Accepted a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an eligible NB employer that came directly from a Government of NB recruitment mission, in a priority NOC, with 1+ year of related paid experience.
For candidates already in the federal Express Entry pool who work in New Brunswick.
For French-speaking skilled workers who will help grow New Brunswick's Francophone communities.
For experienced entrepreneurs ready to own, operate and actively manage a business while settling in New Brunswick.
Employer-driven and limited to a small set of approved designated employers who recruit critical workers with settlement and language support. You must be recruited by a participating employer; it's not open to the general public.
Extended in a limited capacity through the end of 2027, only for international students already registered in specific programs before the original closure.
A separate federal-provincial route: a designated-employer job offer (no LMIA) plus a settlement plan. NB now runs AIP as a candidate pool with monthly, priority-based selection. See our AIP guide →
Exact requirements depend on the stream, but these are the building blocks the NB PNP looks at across the worker streams.
New Brunswick uses a candidate pool, not a first-come-first-served queue. Here's the full sequence.
Check that your occupation is in a currently-invited sector and that you meet a stream's pathway. This is where most applications go wrong, so we screen it first.
Create and submit your EOI profile to the NBPNP candidate pool with your work, education, language and New Brunswick-connection details.
It stays valid for 365 days. Immigration New Brunswick draws from the pool based on labour-market needs, remaining allocation and provincial priorities.
Valid 365 daysThere's no fixed public cut-off and meeting the criteria doesn't guarantee an invitation. If invited, you submit a full provincial application with all supporting documents.
Immigration New Brunswick reviews your application and, if approved, issues your provincial nomination.
Apply to IRCC as a provincial nominee. On the Express Entry stream, take the +600 CRS and a near-certain federal invitation. A licensed RCIC prepares and files the PR application.
The New Brunswick Business Immigration stream (which replaced the old Entrepreneurial stream) is for experienced entrepreneurs who will establish and actively manage a business in the province.
| Requirement | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Age | 19–59 |
| Language (English or French) | CLB 4 |
| Education | High school |
| Personal net worth | $500,000 |
| Net worth (farming applicants) | $300,000 |
| Investment in an eligible NB business | $150,000 |
| Full-time jobs created | 1 |
| EOI score to be considered | 65 points |
How the nomination works: you sign a business performance agreement, move to New Brunswick, and operate your business. After running it for about 6 months and meeting the agreement's terms, you can request a nomination for permanent residence.
Our NB PNP package covers every step from initial assessment through to permanent residency approval and settlement.
We build and optimize your Expression of Interest profile to maximize your score and improve your chances of receiving an invitation in upcoming draws.
We evaluate your profile against all three NB PNP streams and recommend the best-fit pathway based on your occupation, language scores, and connection to New Brunswick.
For the New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream, we help you identify and connect with New Brunswick employers actively recruiting in your occupation.
Complete preparation of your provincial nomination application including document compilation, form completion, and thorough review before submission.
Once you receive your provincial nomination, a licensed RCIC prepares and submits your federal permanent residency application to IRCC with all required supporting documents.
Guidance on relocating to New Brunswick including housing, healthcare registration, schooling options, and connecting with local newcomer settlement agencies.
Track your document preparation progress. Click each item as you gather your documents.
Here is a typical timeline from your first consultation to PR approval through the NB PNP.
We evaluate your profile, identify the best NB PNP stream, and develop a strategy to maximize your EOI score.
Day 1Your optimized Expression of Interest is submitted to the NB PNP portal and enters the candidate pool for ranking.
1 – 2 weeksNew Brunswick conducts periodic draws from the EOI pool. High-scoring candidates receive an invitation to submit a full application.
1 – 6 monthsA licensed RCIC prepares and submits your complete provincial nomination application. Once approved, you receive your NB provincial nomination certificate.
2 – 3 monthsA licensed RCIC submits your federal permanent residency application to IRCC, monitors processing, and responds to any requests on your behalf.
6 – 12 monthsBelow is an estimated breakdown of government, third-party, and service fees for the NB PNP pathway.
| Fee Item | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| NB PNP Application Fee | $250 |
| IRCC Processing Fee | $990 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) | $600 |
| Biometrics | $85 |
| Language Test (IELTS / CELPIP) | ~$300 |
| Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) | ~$200 |
| The Solution Hub Service Fee | $499 |
* Fees are approximate and subject to change. Amounts may vary depending on the specific stream, country of origin, and number of applicants. Government fees are current as of 2026.
Submit an EOI with your profile details through the NB PNP online portal. New Brunswick scores and ranks candidates based on factors like education, work experience, language ability, age, and connection to the province. The highest-scoring profiles receive invitations to apply through periodic draws conducted by the province.
New Brunswick's main economic draw streams are the New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream (requires a valid NB job offer), the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream (linked to the federal Express Entry system), and the New Brunswick Strategic Initiative (for French-speaking workers and candidates with strong ties to New Brunswick). NB also runs a Business Immigration Stream and targeted pilots. As of 2026 the province has narrowed eligibility (prioritizing healthcare, education and construction), so confirm your occupation is currently accepted.
It depends on the stream. The New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream requires a valid job offer from a New Brunswick employer. The New Brunswick Express Entry Stream does not require a job offer, but having one significantly strengthens your EOI score and improves your chances of receiving a draw invitation.
As of 2026, New Brunswick prioritizes healthcare professionals (registered nurses, personal support workers), early childhood educators (ECE), and construction trades (welders, electricians, plumbers, carpenters); truck drivers also remain in demand. Note that the province stopped accepting applications from the accommodation and food-services sector in 2026, so roles such as food-service supervisors and cooks are no longer eligible.
Since Feb 3, 2026, New Brunswick issues no EOIs or invitations for the accommodation & food services sector (NAICS 72), retail and related occupations, or fish & seafood processing, across the Skilled Worker, Express Entry and Atlantic Immigration routes. Since May 4, 2026, worker-stream invitations focus on health care, education and construction trades because of limited remaining allocation. New AIP employer-designation applications are also paused. Always confirm your occupation's current status before applying; we do this for you.
Yes. A nomination through the New Brunswick Express Entry stream adds 600 CRS points to your federal Express Entry profile, which effectively guarantees an invitation to apply at the next federal draw. The other NB streams lead to a “base” nomination, where you apply to IRCC directly as a provincial nominee (no CRS boost, but a full route to permanent residence).
A submitted Expression of Interest stays in the NBPNP candidate pool for 365 days. Unlike Ontario's 130-point grid, New Brunswick does not publish a fixed cut-off score for its worker streams. It invites candidates based on labour-market needs, remaining allocation and provincial priorities. That means meeting the eligibility criteria doesn't guarantee an invitation, so a well-targeted profile in a priority sector matters a great deal.
Yes, through the New Brunswick Business Immigration stream. You need a personal net worth of at least $500,000 ($300,000 for farming applicants), a minimum investment of $150,000 in an eligible NB business, CLB 4 language, at least a high-school education, and to be aged 19–59. You submit an EOI scored against a 65-point minimum, sign a business performance agreement, operate the business for about six months, and can then request a nomination for permanent residence.
Get a free assessment of your profile and find out if you qualify for the NB Provincial Nominee Program.