NB | Canada

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program

New Brunswick welcomes skilled workers and francophone immigrants through its PNP. As Canada's only officially bilingual province, New Brunswick offers unique opportunities for French speakers.

Last reviewed October 2, 2026 by a licensed RCIC

Check Your Eligibility Call +1 (647) 996-6147

Processing

Set by Immigration New Brunswick; EOI first, then a nomination application after an invitation

IRCC PNP processing times

Provincial Fee

$250 CAD

Streams

5 Available

CRS Boost

+600 Points

Program Overview

About the NBPNP

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) targets skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and francophone immigrants. As the only officially bilingual province in Canada, New Brunswick actively recruits French-speaking immigrants to maintain its linguistic diversity.

New Brunswick also takes part in the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), a separate federal-provincial program for workers with a job offer from a designated employer. Immigration New Brunswick has paused new employer designation applications through the end of 2026.

Selection runs on expressions of interest (EOI). You submit an EOI for free through your Immigration New Brunswick account, it stays valid for 365 days, and the province issues invitations to apply in scheduled rounds based on labour market needs and its remaining allocation. An EOI does not guarantee an invitation. Since May 4, 2026, new invitations under the New Brunswick Experience pathway of the Skilled Worker stream are limited to health care, education and construction occupations, and accommodation and food services roles are not being considered.

New Brunswick's economy includes manufacturing, forestry, agriculture, and growing tech and cybersecurity sectors. The province offers significantly lower housing costs than central Canada while providing access to quality education and healthcare.

New Brunswick PNP draws 2026

Round-by-round NBPNP invitation results and what the 2026 allocation limits mean for candidates.

Read the full update

In-Demand Occupations

Registered NursesIT ProfessionalsSkilled TradesHealthcare WorkersTruck DriversFood Processing Workers

Free Eligibility Assessment

Find out if you qualify for the NBPNP. Our RCIC-licensed consultants will review your profile.

Start Free Assessment

RCIC License: R515110

Immigration Streams

NBPNP Streams

New Brunswick offers 5 immigration streams. Find the one that matches your situation.

New Brunswick Express Entry Stream

Express Entry LinkedNo Job Offer

For candidates in the federal Express Entry pool who meet New Brunswick's requirements, with an Employment in New Brunswick or New Brunswick Interest pathway.

Active Express Entry profile

Age 19 to 55

CLB 7 in all four language skills

One year of continuous work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 within the past 10 years

New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream

Job Offer Required

For skilled workers with employer support, through the New Brunswick Experience, New Brunswick Graduates or New Brunswick Priority Occupations pathways. Applications go through the EOI system.

Age 19 or older

CLB 4 in all four language skills

Support from an employer that has operated for 24+ months

New Brunswick Experience: 6 months of employment and 6 months of residence in the province, plus a high school diploma

New Brunswick Strategic Initiative

No Job Offer

For French-speaking candidates, through the Francophone Workers in New Brunswick, New Brunswick Francophone Priorities and Francophones Working Remotely pathways.

NCLC 5 in all four French language skills

One year of work experience in the past 5 years (can be waived for New Brunswick post-secondary graduates)

Age 19 or older and a high school diploma

At least 65 points on the selection factor grid

New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream

No Job Offer

For entrepreneurs and business owners who plan to establish or buy a business in New Brunswick.

Business plan and net worth requirements set by Immigration New Brunswick

Plan to operate the business in New Brunswick

Check the current criteria on gnb.ca before applying

Atlantic Immigration Program

Job Offer Required

Separate federal-provincial program for workers with a job offer from a designated employer. Immigration New Brunswick selects candidates in rounds, and employer designation intake is paused through the end of 2026.

Job offer from a designated employer

Work experience or education that meets AIP rules

Endorsement from Immigration New Brunswick

Settlement plan

Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

General requirements for NBPNP streams. Specific requirements vary by stream.

Express Entry Stream

Active Express Entry profile
CLB 7 in all four skills
One year of continuous TEER 0 to 3 experience
At least 67 of 100 on the selection factor grid

Skilled Worker Stream

Employer active for 24+ months supports you
CLB 4 in all four skills
Six months of New Brunswick employment and residence for the Experience pathway
Since May 4, 2026, new Experience-pathway invitations are limited to health care, education and construction

Francophone Candidates

NCLC 5 in all four French skills
One year of work experience in the past 5 years
At least 65 points on the selection factor grid

Draw Information

NBPNP Draws & Invitations

Mid-September 2026 rounds invited 197 Skilled Worker, 102 Express Entry and 251 Strategic Initiative candidates

Draw Frequency

Scheduled invitation rounds from the EOI pool (Skilled Worker, Express Entry and Strategic Initiative)

Score Range

Selection factor grid minimums (67 Express Entry, 65 Strategic Initiative); invitations depend on labour market needs and allocation

Application Fees

Provincial Fee$250 CAD

Federal PR Fee$1,590 CAD (PR application, principal applicant, from April 30, 2026)

CRS Boost+600 Points

A nomination through an Express Entry-linked stream adds 600 points to your CRS score, which puts most candidates above the cut-off in provincial nominee rounds of invitations.

Calculate your CRS score with PNP boost

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the NBPNP

How do you qualify for PNP in New Brunswick?

New Brunswick selects candidates through an expression of interest (EOI) that is free to submit and valid for 365 days. If Immigration New Brunswick invites you, you then submit a full nomination application with a non-refundable $250 fee. Eligibility depends on the stream: the Express Entry stream needs CLB 7, one year of TEER 0 to 3 experience and 67 of 100 on the selection factor grid, while the Skilled Worker stream needs CLB 4 and support from an employer active for 24+ months. An EOI does not guarantee an invitation, so confirm your stream before you apply.

What is the New Brunswick PR pathway?

New Brunswick has four NBPNP streams: Skilled Worker, Express Entry, Strategic Initiative (for French speakers) and Business Immigration. You submit an EOI, receive an invitation in a scheduled round, apply for a provincial nomination, then apply to IRCC for permanent residence. Express Entry stream nominees get 600 CRS points once nominated. The Atlantic Immigration Program is a separate route for workers with a job offer from a designated employer.

What changed for the New Brunswick PNP in 2026?

On February 3, 2026, Immigration New Brunswick stopped considering accommodation and food services roles and removed a list of retail and wholesale NOCs. Since May 4, 2026, new invitations under the New Brunswick Experience pathway are limited to health care, education and construction occupations. On September 14, 2026 it paused new AIP employer designation applications through the end of 2026. See the draw results in our New Brunswick PNP draws article. New Brunswick PNP draws 2026

Which occupations are in demand in New Brunswick?

For new Experience-pathway invitations, New Brunswick is currently limited to health care, education and construction occupations. Recent rounds also selected candidates in manufacturing, trades, professional and IT, sales and services, and transportation occupations. Registered nurses are a common fit; see our registered nurse guide for the licensing steps. Check the current Immigration New Brunswick notices before applying because the list changes. Registered nurse immigration to Canada

Can I get PR with 70 points?

New Brunswick does not set a single minimum that guarantees an invitation. The selection factor grid minimums are 67 of 100 for the Express Entry stream and 65 for the Strategic Initiative, but meeting the minimum only makes you eligible to submit an EOI. Invitations depend on labour market needs and the available allocation. Other provinces score differently, for example Saskatchewan uses a 60+ point SINP threshold.

How many points do I need for NB PNP?

You need at least 67 of 100 points on the selection factor grid for the Express Entry stream and at least 65 for the Strategic Initiative. These are eligibility minimums, not guaranteed invitation scores. The Skilled Worker stream is based on employer support, residence and work history in New Brunswick rather than a fixed point total.

Is moving to New Brunswick a good idea?

New Brunswick offers lower housing costs than central Canada and demand in health care, education and construction. It is Canada's only officially bilingual province, which suits French speakers through the Strategic Initiative. The labour market is smaller and the province has limited its 2026 invitations to priority sectors, so your occupation matters. A consultation can check whether your occupation and language scores match a current stream.

Which province is easiest for PNP?

There is no single easiest province. Nova Scotia charges $1,000 for worker streams and $2,000 for entrepreneurs from 1 September 2026 (EOI stays free). New Brunswick charges $250 at the nomination application stage, with invitations limited in 2026 to priority sectors. PEI runs monthly draws. Saskatchewan requires 60+ SINP points. The best match depends on your occupation, language ability and settlement plans.

Which province is easy to get PR in 2026?

It depends on your profile. Nova Scotia has four streams and charges $1,000 (worker) or $2,000 (entrepreneur) from 1 September 2026, with a free EOI. PEI runs monthly draws and Newfoundland has its own streams. New Brunswick charges $250 for the nomination application and, in 2026, prioritizes health care, education and construction plus French speakers. Saskatchewan demands 60+ SINP points.

Ready to Apply for NBPNP?

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Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Each case is unique and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before making immigration decisions.