Moving To New Brunswick: A Guide

New Brunswick is one of Canada's four Atlantic provinces, sharing borders with Quebec, Nova Scotia, and the United States. The province is known for its friendly and safe communities, excellent health and school services, and low cost of living. New Brunswick is officially bilingual, with one-third of its population speaking French, and the rest mostly speaking English. The province offers a unique mix of rural, seaside, and urban lifestyles, with three major cities: Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton.

If you're interested in migrating to New Brunswick, there are several pathways to consider. The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) is a popular option, targeting qualified candidates who meet specific economic and labour market needs. The program has different streams, including the Express Entry Labour Market Stream, Skilled Worker Stream, and Entrepreneurial Stream. The Atlantic Immigration Program is another option, offering support to foreign nationals and employers in certain occupations.

To migrate to New Brunswick, you'll need to meet certain requirements, such as language proficiency, work experience, and education. It's important to carefully review the eligibility criteria and application process for your desired immigration pathway.

Requirements for skilled workers

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) is designed to attract skilled workers to the province. To qualify under the NBPNP, candidates must meet the requirements of one of the following categories:

• Express Entry Labour Market Stream
• Skilled Worker with Family Support
• Skilled Worker with Employer Support
• New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
• New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
• New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream for Truck Drivers

This response will focus on the requirements for skilled workers with employer support, as well as the two express entry streams.

Skilled Worker with Employer Support

This category is for workers who have received a full-time, permanent offer of employment from a New Brunswick employer. To be eligible, candidates must:

• Be between 22 and 55 years old
• Have sufficient English or French language skills to perform job duties (at least a basic level of proficiency)
• Have the necessary education, qualifications, licenses, and certifications for the job
• Have at least a high school-level education
• Demonstrate an intention to live and work in New Brunswick
• Score a minimum of 50 points on a selection grid

In addition, employers must prove that:

• They were unable to recruit a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for the position
• The job will provide a competitive wage and comply with provincial employment standards

Express Entry Labour Market Stream

This stream allows the NBPNP to use the federal Express Entry system to meet New Brunswick's labour market and demographic needs. Candidates are assessed based on the following criteria:

• Evidence of training and experience in a high-priority sector
• Demonstrated ability to become economically established in the province
• Likelihood of positively contributing to the provincial labour market

To be eligible, candidates must:

• Be between 22 and 55 years old
• Demonstrate proficiency in each of the four language abilities (speaking, reading, writing, and listening) with a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 7
• Have a completed Canadian secondary or post-secondary educational credential, or a completed foreign educational credential from a recognised institution
• Have at least 12 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid skilled work experience in New Brunswick in the three years before the application
• Sign and submit a Commitment to Live and Work in New Brunswick form
• Show sufficient funds to support themselves and any dependent family members

New Brunswick Express Entry Stream

The New Brunswick Express Entry Stream targets candidates with profiles in the federal Express Entry Pool. They must have the skills, education, and work experience to contribute to New Brunswick's economy and be ready to live and work permanently in the province.

Candidates are assessed based on six factors: age, education, language skills, work experience, job offer, and adaptability. To be eligible, candidates must:

• Have a connection to New Brunswick (e.g., currently living and working in the province, have an offer of employment, or have been selected by New Brunswick from the Express Entry pool)
• Intend to reside in New Brunswick
• Have the required settlement funds
• Meet the minimum qualifications for occupations classified as NOC 0, A, or B
• Receive a genuine job offer (if applicable)
• Be offered a competitive wage (if applicable)

Immigration programs

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) is designed to provide expedited entry to Canada for people with valuable skills or resources that are in demand in the local economy. The NBPNP has five streams:

• New Brunswick Express Entry Stream: Targets candidates with profiles in the federal Express Entry Pool who have the skills, education, and work experience to contribute to the province's economy and intend to live and work there permanently. Candidates are assessed and scored on six factors: age, education, language skills, work experience, job offer, and adaptability.
• New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream: Aimed at candidates who have secured a permanent, full-time job offer from a New Brunswick employer. Candidates are assessed on six selection factors: age, language skills, education, work experience, job offer, and adaptability.
• New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream for Truck Drivers: Specifically aimed at candidates under NOC 7511 for Transport Truck Drivers who have secured a permanent, full-time job offer from a New Brunswick employer. Candidates must have 2 years of work experience, including 9 months in New Brunswick on a Labour Market Impact Assessment-supported work permit or a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
• New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream: Targets professionals ready to invest in a business in the province and move there with their families. Candidates must have an eligible connection to New Brunswick, be between 22 and 55 years old, have a minimum of a two-year post-secondary degree or diploma, and meet other requirements.
• New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream: Targets international graduates from recognized New Brunswick universities or community colleges who have started or acquired a business in the province and operated it for at least one year while holding a Post-Graduation Work Permit. Candidates must be between 22 and 40 years old, have lived in New Brunswick for the duration of their studies, and meet other requirements.

In addition to these streams, the NBPNP has three tiers of applicants: top priority, second priority, and third priority. Top priority is given to individuals with a connection to the province, such as previous work experience, education, family, or French as a first language. Second priority is given to those who have attended a NBPNP information session or recruitment event in the past 24 months. Third priority is for candidates with no connection to the province and who have never attended a NBPNP information session.

The NBPNP also has an Express Entry Labour Market Stream (EELMS), which enables the program to use the federal Express Entry selection system to target prospective immigrants. Candidates are scored based on their likelihood of contributing positively to the local economy, their ability to settle in New Brunswick, and their skills and experience in high-priority labour market sectors.

Job sectors

New Brunswick is a Canadian province with a diverse economy and a range of job opportunities for skilled immigrants. Here is an overview of the key job sectors in the region:

Healthcare

The healthcare sector is a cornerstone of New Brunswick's economy, with around 22,000 health workers employed in the province. The aging population drives a strong demand for qualified healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, personal care workers, paramedics, therapists, and support staff. The province offers competitive salaries and benefits, making it attractive to healthcare professionals seeking fulfilling careers.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

New Brunswick is a hub for innovation with a flourishing ICT sector. The province has numerous tech companies, creating a high demand for skilled workers in software development, computer programming, cybersecurity, and data analysis.

Education

The education sector in New Brunswick is well-regarded and growing, offering job opportunities for teachers, educational assistants, early childhood educators, psychologists, and guidance counsellors. The province provides a supportive learning environment and competitive compensation packages, making it appealing to educators.

Forestry

Forestry is a significant contributor to the provincial economy, with New Brunswick's vast forests providing crucial natural resources. The industry offers jobs in forest management, logging, silviculture (forest cultivation), and sawmilling. With a focus on sustainable practices, the sector attracts individuals passionate about environmental stewardship.

Agriculture and Food Production

New Brunswick is known for its rich agricultural sector and thriving food production industry. Job opportunities exist in farming, aquaculture, and food processing. Specialists in dairy production or horticulture, farmers, agricultural technicians, and food processing plant workers are in demand.

Other In-Demand Sectors

In addition to the sectors mentioned above, New Brunswick has other industries with high-demand jobs:

• Construction: There are expected to be thousands of construction job openings in New Brunswick up until 2027.
• Finance: Finance is one of the top industries in the province, and financial analysts are in demand.
• Fishing: Fishing is a traditional industry in New Brunswick, and shore captains are in demand.
• Manufacturing: This industry is a major employer in the province, producing food, paper, and wood products.
• Hospitality: The hospitality industry is also prominent in New Brunswick, creating job opportunities in sales, marketing, and services.

Language requirements

New Brunswick is a bilingual province, with English and French as its official languages. By law, residents can receive government services in English and French. As such, language requirements for immigration are based on proficiency in either English or French.

New Brunswick Express Entry Stream

Under the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream, candidates must score a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening for the first official language (English or French). Candidates can score extra points for a minimum CLB 5 in a second official language.

New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream

Similarly, under the New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream, candidates must score a minimum of CLB 4 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening for the first official language (English or French). Candidates score extra points for a minimum CLB 4 in a second official language.

New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream

The New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream requires candidates to score at least level 5 on the Canadian Language Benchmark exam for speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English or French.

New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream

The New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream requires candidates to score at least level 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark for speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English or French.

Skilled Worker with Family Support Stream

Under the Skilled Worker with Family Support Stream, applicants must have sufficient language ability in English or French to fulfill the duties of their intended job and settle in the province. French or English language test scores must be shown.

Skilled Worker with Employer Support Stream

The Skilled Worker with Employer Support Stream requires applicants to have sufficient language abilities in English or French to perform job duties. Applicants in low-skilled or semi-skilled occupations must undergo mandatory testing to show a basic level of language proficiency.

Cost of living

The cost of living in New Brunswick is generally lower than the Canadian average.

The cost of food in New Brunswick is less expensive than the Canadian average, scoring 9 out of 10, with 10 being the cheapest.

The cost of transportation in the province is more expensive than the national average, earning a score of 5 out of 10. However, the cost of housing in New Brunswick is less expensive than the Canadian average, earning a score of 8 out of 10.

The average house price in New Brunswick in May 2020 was $192,000, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association. In mid-2020, the average price of a home in Fredericton was $216,000, while in Saint John, it was $187,000.

The typical average hourly earnings for salaried employees in New Brunswick is $16.60 per hour, which is higher than in Prince Edward Island ($15.20) but lower than in Newfoundland and Labrador ($20.45).

New Brunswick has one of the lowest rates of COVID-19 cases in the country. The healthcare and social assistance sector is expected to see high growth in the coming years as the population ages and the demand for healthcare services increases.

Frequently asked questions