Applying For New Brunswick Nominee Program

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) is a pathway to permanent residence in Canada for skilled individuals who want to live and work in the province of New Brunswick. The program is designed to fast-track the immigration process for foreign nationals with the skills, work experience, and education needed to contribute to New Brunswick's economy.

There are several streams through which prospective immigrants can apply, including the NB Skilled Worker Stream, NB Express Entry Stream, NB Business Immigration Stream, and NB Strategic Initiative Stream. Each stream has specific eligibility requirements related to age, language proficiency, education, work experience, and connections to the province. Applicants must also demonstrate their intention to reside in New Brunswick and meet certain settlement fund requirements.

The application process involves confirming eligibility, registering and completing a profile, submitting an Expression of Interest, and applying for permanent residence if their application is successful.

Language requirements

New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province, with about 30% of the population speaking French as a first language. As such, language requirements for the New Brunswick Nominee Program (NBPNP) are available in both English and French.

Express Entry Stream

To qualify for the Express Entry Stream, applicants must have valid language test scores in either English or French equal to Canadian Language Benchmark Level 7 (CLB 7).

Skilled Workers Stream

For the Skilled Workers Stream, applicants must have valid language test scores in either English or French equal to Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 (CLB 4).

Business Immigration Stream

For the Business Immigration Stream, applicants must have valid language test scores in either English or French equal to Canadian Language Benchmark Level 5 (CLB 5).

Strategic Initiative Stream

The Strategic Initiative Stream is designed for Francophone workers. Applicants must have valid language test scores in French equal to Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 5.

Express Entry Labour Market Stream

For the Express Entry Labour Market Stream, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in each of the four language abilities (speaking, reading, writing, and listening) equivalent to or greater than Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7. Language test results must be no more than two years old and must come from a designated agency:

• IELTS (General Training Test only) for English
• CELPIP (General test only) for English
• TEF for French

Skilled Worker with Family Support Stream

For the Skilled Worker with Family Support Stream, applicants must have sufficient English or French ability to settle in New Brunswick and fulfil the job duties in their intended occupation. Language test results must be no more than two years old and must come from a designated testing agency:

• IELTS (General Training Test only)
• CELPIP (General Test only)

Skilled Worker with Employer Support Stream

For the Skilled Worker with Employer Support Stream, applicants must have sufficient English or French to fulfil job duties (at a minimum, a basic level of proficiency). Applicants in semi- and low-skilled occupations (NOC levels C and D) are required to undergo mandatory testing at a designated testing agency and may be asked to submit the results with their application. Designated testing agencies include:

• IELTS (General Training Test only)
• CELPIP (General Test only)

Education requirements

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) is a program that allows the province to nominate immigrants to fill economic and labour market needs. The program is designed to accelerate the immigration process for foreign nationals who possess the skills, work experience, and education needed to contribute to New Brunswick's economy.

There are several streams under the NBPNP, each with its own unique requirements. Here is an overview of the education requirements for each stream:

Express Entry Stream:

• Must have a Job Seeker Validation Code or proof of enrolment in a PGWP-eligible program at a federally designated post-secondary institution.
• Must have valid language test scores in English or French equal to Canadian Language Benchmark Level 7 (CLB 7).

Skilled Worker Stream:

• Must have a minimum of a Canadian secondary school (high school) diploma or a foreign high school diploma equivalent to a Canadian credential.
• Must have valid language test scores in English or French equal to Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 (CLB 4).

Business Immigration Stream:

• Must have completed an academic degree from a college or university that required at least three years of full-time study, or a diploma in a specific trade that required at least two years of full-time study.
• Must be able to demonstrate a minimum personal net worth of at least $600,000 CAD, with at least $300,000 CAD readily available and unencumbered.
• Must have valid language test scores in English or French equal to Canadian Language Benchmark Level 5 (CLB 5).

Strategic Initiative Stream:

• Must have a minimum of a Canadian secondary school (high school) diploma or a foreign high school diploma equivalent to a Canadian credential.
• Must be between 19 and 55 years old.
• Must have valid language test scores in French equal to Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 5.

Critical Worker Pilot:

This stream was introduced in November 2022 and allows designated employers in New Brunswick to recruit foreign talent. While there are no specific education requirements mentioned for this stream, all applicants must have a job offer from a designated employer.

Atlantic Immigration Program:

This program is for foreign nationals interested in participating in the Atlantic Immigration Program, who may be residing abroad or on temporary status in Canada when applying. All applicants must have a job offer from a designated employer that meets the program's requirements.

Work experience requirements

The work experience requirements for the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) vary depending on the stream under which an individual is applying. Here is a breakdown of the work experience requirements for each stream:

Express Entry Stream

This stream is for individuals who have the skills, education, and work experience to contribute to New Brunswick's economy and meet the requirements for Express Entry. The minimum requirements for this stream include having an active Express Entry profile and valid language test scores in English or French equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark Level 7 (CLB 7).

Skilled Workers Stream

The Skilled Workers Stream is for individuals who have received a full-time, permanent job offer from a New Brunswick employer. The minimum requirements for this stream include proving the intention to reside in New Brunswick, having a full-time permanent job offer with a letter of support from the employer, and having valid language test scores in English or French equivalent to CLB 4.

Business Immigration Stream

The Business Immigration Stream is for individuals who plan to own and actively manage a business in New Brunswick. This stream has minimum requirements, including demonstrating a minimum personal net worth of at least $600,000 CAD, with at least $300,000 CAD readily available and unencumbered.

Strategic Initiative Stream

The Strategic Initiative Stream is designed for Francophone workers who have the skills, education, and work experience to contribute to the province's economy and wish to live and work in New Brunswick permanently. The minimum requirements for this stream include the intention to reside in New Brunswick, having a qualifying connection to the province, and valid language test scores in French equivalent to Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 5.

Critical Worker Pilot

Introduced in November 2022, the Critical Worker Pilot allows designated employers in New Brunswick to recruit foreign talent to address their workforce needs.

Atlantic Immigration Program

The Atlantic Immigration Program is a collaborative effort between the Government of Canada and four Atlantic provinces, including New Brunswick, to recruit foreign workers and address labour market shortages. Foreign nationals interested in this program can reside abroad or have temporary status in Canada when applying. The minimum requirement for this program is to have a job offer from a designated employer that meets the program's requirements.

Job offer requirements

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) is a pathway for prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the province to receive a provincial nomination certificate. With this nomination, foreign nationals can apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Express Entry Stream

• Must have an active Express Entry profile
• Must have a job seeker validation code or proof of enrolment in a PGWP-eligible program at a federally designated post-secondary institution
• Must be currently living in New Brunswick
• Must have valid language test scores in either English or French equal to Canadian Language Benchmark Level 7 (CLB 7)

Skilled Workers Stream

• Must have a full-time, permanent job offer from an eligible New Brunswick employer and a letter of support from them
• Must have a minimum of a Canadian secondary (high school) diploma or a foreign high school diploma equal to a Canadian credential
• Must be between 19 and 55 years of age
• Must have valid language test scores in either English or French equal to Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 (CLB 4)

Business Immigration Stream

• Must have an eligible connection to New Brunswick to submit an Expression of Interest
• Must have completed an academic degree from a college or university that required at least three years of full-time study, or a diploma in a specific trade that required at least two years of full-time study
• Must be able to demonstrate a minimum personal net worth of at least $600,000 CAD, with at least $300,000 CAD readily available and unencumbered
• Must be between 22 and 55 years of age
• Must have valid language test scores in either English or French equal to Canadian Language Benchmark Level 5 (CLB 5)

Strategic Initiative Stream

• Must intend to reside in New Brunswick
• Must have a qualifying connection to New Brunswick
• Must have a minimum of a Canadian secondary (high school) diploma or a foreign high school diploma equal to a Canadian credential
• Must be between 19 and 55 years of age
• Must have valid language test scores in French equal to Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 5

Critical Worker Pilot

Must have a job offer from a designated employer that meets the requirements of the program

Adaptability requirements

Adaptability is one of the six factors that candidates are assessed on when applying to the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP). Candidates must score at least 67 points out of a possible 100 to qualify.

To demonstrate adaptability, candidates must show a genuine intention to settle in New Brunswick. This can be done by providing evidence of the following:

• Description of actions taken to permanently settle in New Brunswick.
• Current employment in New Brunswick.
• Employment search details.
• Length of any previous and/or current period of residence in New Brunswick.
• Community involvement.
• Ability to support oneself in New Brunswick.
• Connections to New Brunswick through work, study, or family.
• Professional networks and affiliations.
• Residency, including household lease agreements and/or property ownership.
• Family ties and other social relationships and connections.
• Details of prior visits to Canada.
• Connection to other jurisdictions in Canada.

In addition, candidates can also gain points for adaptability if they or their spouse/common-law partner:

• Have previously worked in New Brunswick.
• Have previously studied in New Brunswick.
• Have a relative in New Brunswick who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

For the Express Entry Stream, candidates must demonstrate their adaptability by meeting the following requirements:

• Must be currently living in New Brunswick.
• Must have a valid job seeker validation code or proof of enrolment in a PGWP-eligible program at a federally designated post-secondary institution.
• Must have a minimum language test score of Canadian Language Benchmark Level 7 (CLB 7) in English or French.
• Must be able to demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves and their family.

For the Skilled Worker Stream, candidates must demonstrate their adaptability by meeting the following requirements:

• Must prove that they intend to reside in New Brunswick.
• Must be between 19 and 55 years of age.
• Must have a minimum language test score of Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 (CLB 4) in English or French.
• Must have at least a Canadian secondary (high school) diploma or a foreign high school diploma equivalent to a Canadian credential.

For the Business Immigration Stream, candidates must demonstrate their adaptability by meeting the following requirements:

• Must have a connection to New Brunswick and be able to demonstrate their eligibility to submit an Expression of Interest.
• Must have completed an academic degree or diploma from a college or university that required at least two years of full-time study.
• Must be between 22 and 55 years of age.
• Must have a minimum language test score of Canadian Language Benchmark Level 5 (CLB 5) in English or French.

Frequently asked questions