New Brunswick PNP (NBPNP)

Official processing times

Taken from IRCC's own processing times tool and synced twice a month.

IRCC data updated: October 9, 2026 · Synced by us: 2026-10-20

• Check the current times on IRCC's site ↗

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

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)

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.

How to apply

1. 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. 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. 3

   Submit an Expression of Interest

   File your EOI with ImmigrationNB free of charge; it stays in the pool for 365 days.

4. 4

   Wait for an invitation

   The province invites according to sector priorities and a cut-off date in the pool.

5. 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. 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