New Brunswick PNP (NBPNP)
Last updated: 2026-09-17
The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program lets the province select and nominate immigrants for permanent residence. Candidates file an Expression of Interest with ImmigrationNB, join a pool that stays valid for 365 days, and are invited according to the province's sector priorities. New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province, with a dedicated Strategic Initiative for francophone candidates. Nomination space is tight in 2026 and several sectors and occupations are excluded.
- Who it suits
- People with full-time, non-seasonal work or an offer in New Brunswick, NB graduates, francophone candidates and entrepreneurs
- Minimum language
- CLB 4 in all four abilities
- Minimum age
- 19
- Fees
- The EOI is free; the nomination application costs CAD $250, non-refundable
Official processing times
Taken from IRCC's own processing times tool and synced twice a month.
| Application type | Published processing time |
|---|---|
| Provincial nominee — Express Entry | about 7 months |
| Provincial nominee — base track | about 13 months |
IRCC data updated: October 9, 2026 · Synced by us: 2026-10-20
Processing times are IRCC's statistics on applications it has already finished — a guide, not a commitment. Individual files vary with document completeness, requests for more information and background checks. For applications where the time depends on where you file, only a few common locations are listed; use IRCC's tool for others.
The main streams
Skilled Worker Stream
- For people with a full-time, non-seasonal job or offer in New Brunswick
- Three pathways: New Brunswick Experience, NB Graduates and Priority Occupations
- The employer must have operated in New Brunswick for 24 months or more
- Experience pathway invitations are currently limited to health care, education and construction
New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
- For candidates already in the federal Express Entry pool
- The pathway is Employment in New Brunswick
- A nomination adds 600 CRS points
- Also subject to the accommodation, food services and 14-occupation exclusions
Strategic Initiative (francophone)
- New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province
- Pathways for francophone workers in New Brunswick and francophone priority occupations
- A single July 2026 round issued 254 invitations — the largest of any stream
- Well suited to strong French speakers
Business stream and pilots
- Business Immigration Stream for those investing in and running a business
- New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot, run with specific employers
- Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program
- Atlantic Immigration Program, with employer designations currently paused
The three Skilled Worker pathways
- New Brunswick Experience: already employed in the province, with 6 months with the sponsoring employer, 6 months living in New Brunswick and high school completion
- New Brunswick Graduates: completed an eligible post-graduation work permit programme at a designated NB institution and secured full-time, non-seasonal work
- Priority Occupations: hired through a provincial recruitment mission, with 1 year of related work experience and high school completion
- Shared requirements: at least 19 years old, CLB 4 in all four language abilities, an employer operating in New Brunswick for 24+ months, and full-time, non-seasonal work
Currently excluded sectors and occupations
These restrictions apply to the Skilled Worker and Express Entry streams and are the easiest thing to get wrong in 2026.
- The whole accommodation and food services sector (NAICS 72) is excluded, including chefs, cooks, bartenders and food servers (since February 3, 2026)
- Exception: if your employer is not itself in accommodation or food services, these roles can still file an EOI, and designated employers outside the sector can still submit endorsements
- 14 occupation codes are excluded regardless of sector, including retail managers, cashiers, shippers and receivers and seafood processing labourers
- New Brunswick Experience pathway invitations have been limited to health care, education and construction since May 4, 2026
- Atlantic Immigration Program: recruitment of candidates outside Canada is limited to health care, education and construction, and 8 occupation codes remain restricted
Recent invitation rounds (July–August 2026)
| Stream or pathway | Date | Invitations |
|---|---|---|
| Strategic Initiative (francophone workers and priorities) | 2026-07-16 | 254 |
| Skilled Worker: New Brunswick Graduates | 2026-07-18 | 209 |
| Express Entry: Employment in New Brunswick | 2026-07-16 | 115 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 2026-08-10 / 08-20 | 68 |
| Skilled Worker: Experience and Priority Occupations | 2026-07-16 to 18 | 58 |
New Brunswick does not publish minimum scores; rounds are drawn by a cut-off date and time in the pool. Francophone rounds are noticeably larger than the others.
See New Brunswick's official invitation rounds →How to apply
- 1
Check your sector and occupation are not excluded
Confirm your sector — especially accommodation and food services — and your occupation code against the current restrictions before choosing a pathway.
- 2
Confirm the employer and job offer qualify
The employer must have operated in New Brunswick for at least 24 months, and the job must be full-time and non-seasonal.
- 3
Submit an Expression of Interest
File your EOI with ImmigrationNB free of charge; it stays in the pool for 365 days.
- 4
Wait for an invitation
The province invites according to sector priorities and a cut-off date in the pool.
- 5
Submit the nomination application and pay the fee
File the complete package after your invitation, with the non-refundable CAD $250 nomination fee.
- 6
Apply to IRCC after nomination
Express Entry candidates add 600 CRS points; others file a provincial nominee permanent residence application directly.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply if I work in a restaurant or hotel?+
Since February 3, 2026 the accommodation and food services sector (NAICS 72) is outside the Skilled Worker and Express Entry streams. There is one important exception: if your employer is not itself in that sector — for example a catering role at a hospital or school — you can still file an EOI. Check the employer's sector code first.
What is the advantage for French speakers?+
New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province and runs a Strategic Initiative with pathways for francophone workers in New Brunswick and francophone priority occupations. Recent data shows a single round issuing 254 invitations, the largest of any stream.
How high are the language requirements?+
The Skilled Worker stream requires only CLB 4 in all four abilities, which is among the lower thresholds across provincial programs — though stronger language still helps your competitiveness and your day-to-day work.
Can New Brunswick graduates apply?+
Yes, through the NB Graduates pathway, for those who completed an eligible post-graduation work permit programme at a designated NB institution and found full-time, non-seasonal work. That pathway issued 209 invitations in a single July 2026 round.
Is the Atlantic Immigration Program still usable?+
AIP continues to select candidates, but new employer designation applications are paused for the rest of 2026 as of September 14, 2026, recruitment of candidates outside Canada is limited to health care, education and construction, and 8 occupation codes remain restricted. Already-designated employers can still endorse candidates.
Wondering whether you qualify?
Contact us for an assessment and plan tailored to your background.
Book a consultationThis page summarizes official information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for general reference only. Immigration rules change often, so always check IRCC's latest requirements. Every case is different — contact us for an assessment of your situation.
Sources (IRCC official website)
- Government of New Brunswick: Immigration
- Government of New Brunswick: Provincial Nominee Program
- Government of New Brunswick: Important notices
- Government of New Brunswick: Invitation and selection rounds
- Government of New Brunswick: Skilled Worker Stream
- Government of New Brunswick: New Brunswick Experience guide (PDF)
- Government of New Brunswick: Express Entry stream guide (PDF)