New Brunswick · Canada

New Brunswick Immigration

One complete guide to New Brunswick’s provincial streams, Francophone pathways, employer-driven pilots, business immigration and the Atlantic Immigration Program — organized so visitors can understand the full landscape without jumping between multiple pages.

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Program availability, occupations and selection priorities can change. This page is structured around official New Brunswick information reviewed on September 24, 2026.

Latest published 2026 selectionsOfficial New Brunswick invitation/selection rounds available as of Sept. 24, 2026

Skilled Worker197Invitations · Sept. 15–18

Express Entry102Invitations · Sept. 17

Strategic Initiative251Invitations · Sept. 11

AIP60Applications selected · Sept. 10

Understand the system first

New Brunswick immigration is not just one program

The cleanest way to understand it is as one provincial hub: four NBPNP streams, two provincial pilots, and the Atlantic Immigration Program operating beside the NBPNP.

New Brunswick Immigration7 major routes on one page

Visitors can compare the route that matches their work, study, language, business or employer situation.

Skilled Worker Stream

Employer-supported stream with three different pathways for workers, graduates and government-recruited priority occupations.

Express Entry Stream

For eligible candidates with a valid federal Express Entry profile who also meet New Brunswick requirements.

Strategic Initiative

Francophone-focused provincial route with current 2026 selections under two Francophone pathways.

Business Immigration

Entrepreneur route for people who plan to start or buy and actively manage an eligible New Brunswick business.

Two Provincial Pilots

Critical Worker Pilot and Private Career College Graduate Pilot have narrow, program-specific entry rules.

Atlantic Immigration Program

A separate federal-provincial employer-driven route using designated employers and New Brunswick endorsement.

Start from the visitor’s situation

Which route should you read first?

These shortcuts do not determine eligibility. They simply direct visitors to the part of the page most relevant to their current situation.

WI work in New BrunswickStart with Skilled Worker — New Brunswick Experience, and compare Express Entry if you also have a valid profile. GI graduated in New BrunswickReview the New Brunswick Graduates pathway and, where relevant, the specialized graduate pilot. EEI have an Express Entry profileReview New Brunswick Express Entry, including Employment in New Brunswick and New Brunswick Interest. FRI am a Francophone candidateReview the Strategic Initiative and the specific 2026 Francophone pathways used in provincial draws. BI want to run a businessReview Business Immigration requirements for net worth, investment, experience, language and active management. PI have a participating employer or special graduate routeReview the Critical Worker Pilot and Private Career College Graduate Pilot.

2026 status board

Important current restrictions visitors should see before anything else

This section prevents a visitor from reading general eligibility and missing a current provincial restriction.

New Brunswick Experience invitations are currently targeted

Effective May 4, 2026 and until further notice, new invitations under the New Brunswick Experience pathway are limited to occupations in health care, education and construction.

Official notice ↗

Skilled Worker and Express Entry have current sector restrictions

Effective February 3, 2026, New Brunswick states that it is not considering EOIs for candidates working in the accommodation and food services sector (NAICS 72) under the Skilled Worker and Express Entry streams, subject to the province’s current notice and listed restrictions.

Check restrictions ↗

AIP employer designation intake is paused for the remainder of 2026

New Brunswick continues to manage candidate endorsement selections, but acceptance of new employer designation applications is paused for the remainder of 2026. Current endorsement restrictions and selection factors still apply.

AIP notice ↗

Fast comparison

Compare New Brunswick pathways side by side

A high-level comparison helps visitors understand why two people in New Brunswick may need completely different immigration routes.

Route	Best starting profile	Employer / connection	Language snapshot	Express Entry?	Route type
Skilled Worker	Worker or eligible NB graduate	Eligible employer support required	CLB 4 minimum general rule	No	NBPNP
Express Entry	Skilled worker with federal EE profile	Depends on pathway: NB employment or provincial letter of interest	CLB 7 minimum	Yes	NBPNP
Strategic Initiative	Eligible Francophone candidate	Pathway-specific New Brunswick connection / priority	French-language route	No	NBPNP
Business Immigration	Entrepreneur / senior business operator	Business plan and active operation in NB	CLB 4 minimum	No	NBPNP
Critical Worker Pilot	Candidate recruited by a participating employer	Participating employer required	Pilot-specific	No	Provincial pilot
PCC Graduate Pilot	Eligible graduate of a participating private career college/program	Related eligible job offer required	CLB 5 minimum	No	Provincial pilot
Atlantic Immigration Program	Candidate with job offer from a designated Atlantic employer	Designated employer + provincial endorsement	Federal AIP rules vary by job level	No	Separate AIP route

Employer supportedWorkersGraduates

01 · New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream

This stream is for people working in New Brunswick or holding a qualifying full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an eligible employer. The province currently divides it into three different pathways.

General age rule19+

General language ruleCLB 4 in all four abilities

Employer baselineEligible employer operating in NB for the past 24 months

Application routeEOI → invitation → provincial nomination application

New Brunswick Experience

For qualifying workers already established with the supporting employer in New Brunswick.

Full-time, non-seasonal position with supporting employer
At least 6 months of full-time work with that employer
Living in New Brunswick for the past 6 months
At least high school education

New Brunswick Graduates

For eligible graduates of a New Brunswick designated learning institution.

Completed a PGWP-eligible program at an NB DLI
Working in, or accepted, a full-time non-seasonal position
Employer support and general stream requirements still apply

New Brunswick Priority Occupations

A targeted route tied to provincial recruitment activity.

Full-time, non-seasonal job offer
At least 1 year of paid work experience related to the position
Offer must result directly from a Government of New Brunswick recruitment mission
Position must use an eligible priority NOC in the current guide

2026 watch: New Brunswick Experience invitations are currently limited to health care, education and construction until further notice. This is a selection restriction, not a reason to rely on old generic eligibility information.

Federal Express Entry profile requiredSkilled workers

02 · New Brunswick Express Entry Stream

This stream is designed for skilled workers who already have a valid federal Express Entry profile and also meet New Brunswick’s criteria.

Age19–55

LanguageCLB 7 in all four abilities

EducationAt least Canadian high school or foreign equivalent

Work experienceAt least 1 continuous year in the past 10 years in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3

Selection gridAt least 67/100

Federal profileValid Express Entry profile required

Employment in New Brunswick

For candidates already working and established in the province.

Full-time, non-seasonal TEER 0–3 employment
Eligible employer operating in NB for the past 24 months
Past 12 months living and working full time in NB while authorized to work

New Brunswick Interest

For candidates identified through the federal Express Entry system.

Letter of interest received in the federal Express Entry profile
Must meet the federal proof-of-funds requirement
All general New Brunswick Express Entry requirements still apply

Important: New Brunswick’s February 3, 2026 sector restrictions also affect this stream. A valid Express Entry profile by itself does not create eligibility for a provincial nomination.

FrancophoneProvincial priorities

03 · New Brunswick Strategic Initiative

This is New Brunswick’s Francophone-focused provincial stream. In 2026, the province has been issuing invitations under Francophone Workers in New Brunswick and New Brunswick Francophone Priorities.

Francophone Workers in New Brunswick

Designed around eligible French-speaking candidates with the required New Brunswick employment/connection conditions in the current guide.

French-language test results are central
EOI and invitation process applies
New Brunswick connection and current guide requirements must be satisfied

New Brunswick Francophone Priorities

A separate Francophone selection route tied to New Brunswick’s current priorities and qualifying connections.

Provincial priority-based selection
Not processed simply in order of EOI submission
Current guide must be checked before relying on an older connection category

The province’s current 2026 invitation data confirms active selections under both Francophone pathways. This section should be reviewed whenever New Brunswick changes qualifying connections or draw priorities.

EntrepreneursActive business management

04 · New Brunswick Business Immigration

For eligible entrepreneurs who plan to start or buy a business in New Brunswick, actively operate it and satisfy the province’s business performance requirements before nomination.

Age19–59

LanguageMinimum CLB 4

EducationAt least Canadian high school or foreign equivalent

Net worth$500,000 generally · $300,000 for eligible agriculture investment

Business investmentAt least $150,000 in eligible investment

Job creationAt least 1 full-time job

Experience2 years of qualifying experience in the past 5 years

Selection scoreAt least 65/100

Approval is not simply based on investment. The entrepreneur must follow the business plan and performance process, actively manage the business and later request nomination after meeting the required operating conditions.

Specialized routesNarrow eligibility

05 · New Brunswick Provincial Pilots

These pilots should not be marketed as broad “easy” routes. Both are highly specific and work only when the candidate fits the exact employer, study, timing and program conditions.

Critical Worker Pilot

A five-year employer-driven pilot targeting labour shortages. Candidates cannot simply apply directly because they are interested in the program.

Application is made through a participating employer
Direct candidate applications are not accepted
Employer participation is limited
EOI and invitation process still applies once the employer-driven route is available to the candidate

Cooke Aquaculture

J.D. Irving Ltd.

Groupe Savoie

Groupe Westco

Imperial Manufacturing Group

McCain Foods, Ltd.

Private Career College Graduate Pilot

A specialized route for eligible graduates of select New Brunswick private career college programs who are not eligible for the federal PGWP program.

Age 19+
Minimum CLB 5 in all four abilities
Eligible program at a participating private career college in New Brunswick
Full-time, non-seasonal job offer directly related to the eligible program
Strict timing applies after program completion

The province’s current page requires candidates to complete the nomination/work-permit steps within the specific 90-day post-completion timeline described in the pilot rules.

Separate from NBPNP

06 · Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

AIP is an employer-driven permanent residence pathway for Atlantic Canada. In New Brunswick, the candidate generally needs a qualifying job offer from a designated employer and provincial endorsement before the federal permanent residence stage.

Explore the AIP page →

Not an NBPNP stream
Keep it in your separate Regional & Atlantic Immigration menu as well.

2026 designation pause
New employer designation applications are paused in New Brunswick for the remainder of 2026.

Candidate pool
Endorsement applications are selected for processing based on current provincial priorities and available allocation.

How applications actually move

Three different process maps — not one generic timeline

This is important because NBPNP, the Critical Worker Pilot and AIP do not all begin the same way.

Most NBPNP streams

Confirm current stream and pathway rules.
Create an INB profile and submit an EOI where required.
Wait for provincial selection and an invitation to apply.
Submit the complete nomination application within the invitation deadline.
If nominated, follow the applicable federal permanent residence process.

EOIs are held in a pool and selection is based on labour-market needs, allocations and provincial priorities.

Critical Worker Pilot

Receive an offer through a participating employer.
Create the required EOI/profile.
Receive an invitation through the employer-driven process if selected.
Submit the provincial application and settlement-related requirements.
If nominated, continue to the applicable federal work permit / permanent residence steps.

There is no open direct-application route for candidates who simply want to join the pilot.

Atlantic Immigration Program

Qualifying job offer from a designated Atlantic employer.
Employer/candidate complete the endorsement process.
New Brunswick selects endorsement applications for processing under current rules.
Receive provincial endorsement if approved.
Apply federally for permanent residence under AIP.

Employer designation and candidate endorsement are different steps. New Brunswick’s new-designation intake is currently paused for the remainder of 2026.

Before booking or filing

What should be checked in a New Brunswick case?

A stream name is only the starting point. A useful review should check the facts that actually determine whether the route can work.

NOC & TEERMatch duties to the correct occupation code, not only the job title.

Job & employerConfirm job type, employer eligibility, operating history and whether employer support is required.

LanguageCheck the exact CLB/NCLC threshold and valid language test for the selected route.

Education / ECAConfirm the education requirement and whether foreign education needs an ECA.

Work historyReview duration, location, authorization to work, occupation and continuity requirements.

New Brunswick connectionEmployment, residence, study, provincial interest, Francophone priority or business connection can matter by route.

Status in CanadaFor in-Canada candidates, confirm current authorization and program-specific status conditions.

Funds / business financesProof of funds or net-worth/investment requirements vary by route.

Live restrictionsRecheck current sector, occupation, intake and selection restrictions immediately before submission.

Important selection rules

Three things visitors often misunderstand

An EOI is not an application approval

EOIs can remain in the NBPNP pool for up to 365 days. The province invites selected candidates based on current needs, allocation and priorities.

Eligibility does not guarantee selection

Meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee an invitation, endorsement selection, nomination or permanent residence approval.

NBPNP and AIP cannot both move forward at the same time

If a candidate receives an NBPNP invitation and an AIP endorsement application is also selected, New Brunswick requires the candidate to choose one and withdraw the other as required.

Common questions

New Brunswick immigration FAQ

Do I need a job offer for New Brunswick immigration?

Not every route works the same way. Skilled Worker is employer-supported, the Employment in New Brunswick Express Entry pathway requires qualifying employment, Business Immigration does not use a normal job-offer model, and Strategic Initiative has its own Francophone connection rules.

Can I apply directly to the Critical Worker Pilot?

No. New Brunswick describes the pilot as employer-driven and states that direct applications from interested candidates are not accepted. Candidate participation begins through one of the participating employers.

Is AIP part of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program?

No. AIP is separate from the NBPNP. New Brunswick handles provincial employer designation and candidate endorsement functions, while the federal permanent residence decision is made by IRCC.

Does an Express Entry profile make me eligible for New Brunswick?

No. A valid federal profile is one requirement for the New Brunswick Express Entry stream, but the candidate must also meet the provincial criteria and any current pathway/selection restrictions.

How long does a New Brunswick EOI stay in the pool?

New Brunswick states that submitted NBPNP EOIs remain valid for 365 days from submission unless the candidate’s circumstances require a new or updated EOI.

Are New Brunswick draws first-come, first-served?

No. The province states that invitations and selections are based on labour-market needs, available allocation and other provincial priorities.

Can I submit both an NBPNP application and AIP endorsement application?

The province warns against maintaining more than one active application moving forward. If selected under both processes, the candidate must choose the route to continue and withdraw the other as required.

Who makes the final permanent residence decision?

New Brunswick can nominate or endorse an eligible candidate, but Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada makes the final federal permanent residence decision.

Official source links used for this page: NBPNP overview · Skilled Worker · Express Entry · Business Immigration · Critical Worker Pilot · PCC Graduate Pilot · Important Notices · Invitation & Selection Rounds. Program rules can change; the current official guide and notices should be checked before filing.

Need help reviewing a New Brunswick pathway?

Book an appointment to discuss your work history, employer situation, NOC, language, education, New Brunswick connection and the current program rules that may apply.

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