New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP): 2025 Guide

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) is a provincial immigration program that allows the province of New Brunswick to nominate qualified immigrants for permanent residence in Canada. It operates under an agreement between the provincial government of New Brunswick and the federal government of Canada under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

It aims to select immigrants with the skills, education, work experience and language ability to successfully settle and contribute to New Brunswick’s labour market and economy.

The NBPNP allows New Brunswick to address specific demographic and economic needs through tailored streams that align with provincial priorities. Immigrants nominated through the NBPNP receive expedited processing of their permanent residence application through the federal Express Entry system.

What is the NBPNP?

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) is an economic immigration program that allows the province of New Brunswick to nominate qualified immigrants for permanent residence in Canada. It aims to select immigrants who meet the province’s labour market needs and can economically establish themselves in New Brunswick.

Immigrants nominated through the NBPNP receive expedited processing of their application for permanent residence through the federal Express Entry system. The target processing time is six months or less once the nomination is issued.

The NBPNP helps New Brunswick attract and retain immigrants with the skills, experience and language abilities needed to drive economic growth in the province. It provides an accelerated pathway to permanent immigration for applicants who want to live and work in New Brunswick.

What are the different categories under the NBPNP?

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program has the following categories or streams:

Express Entry Labor Market Stream

This stream allows the NBPNP to use the federal Express Entry system to select candidates who meet New Brunswick’s specific labour market needs.

Candidates must have an active Express Entry profile and qualify based on a points system that considers their education, work experience, language ability, age and connection to New Brunswick.

Skilled Worker Stream

This stream is for foreign workers who have a permanent, full-time job offer from a New Brunswick employer. There are two sub-streams:

• Skilled Worker with Family Support – Candidates must have worked in NB and have the support of a family member in the province.
• Skilled Worker with Employer Support – For candidates with an eligible job offer who meet language, education and work experience criteria.

Business Immigration Stream

This stream targets entrepreneurs who want to own and actively manage a business in NB. Candidates are expected to make a minimum investment of $150,000 and must have business management experience and a minimum net worth.

Strategic Initiatives Stream (on hold)

This stream was designed for French-speaking skilled worker candidates but is currently paused.

Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

This joint program with the Atlantic provinces allows employers to hire foreign skilled workers and international graduates. Candidates must have a job offer from a designated employer.

Critical Worker Pilot

An employer-driven pilot that allows designated NB employers to recruit foreign talent for positions they have been unable to fill with Canadians.

What are the basic eligibility requirements for the NBPNP?

While requirements vary across the different streams of the NBPNP, there are 6 commons eligibility criteria:

• Age – Applicants are generally required to be between 22 to 55 years old. Some streams have specific age ranges.
• Education and Work Experience – Most streams require at least a high school diploma and/or post-secondary education related to the candidate’s field. Minimum work experience in the occupation is also required, typically 2 years.
• Language Ability – Adequate language skills in English and/or French are required. Most streams need a minimum score equivalent to CLB 5-7 on approved language tests. Higher scores may be required for professional jobs.
• Connection to New Brunswick – Having a close family member or previous study or work experience in NB can help candidates qualify for specific streams. A full-time permanent job offer can also establish a connection to the province.
• Sufficient Funds – Candidates need to prove they have enough funds to support themselves and their dependents in New Brunswick. The amount varies based on family size.
• Business Immigrant Requirements – Business stream applicants must make a MIN personal investment of $150,000 in an NB business and have a minimum net worth of $600,000 CAD.

Meeting the basic eligibility requirements is the first step before candidates can be assessed for nomination under the NBPNP.

Eligibility Criteria by Stream of the NBPNP

Below is a high-level overview of the eligibility criteria across the main NBPNP streams:

Express Entry Stream

• Active Express Entry profile
• Valid job seeker validation code
• Living in New Brunswick
• CLB 7 language level
• Other criteria

Skilled Worker Streams

• Permanent full-time job offer
• CLB 4-5 language level
• High school education minimum
• Proven ties to New Brunswick
• Meet age requirement: 19-55 years

Business Streams

• Exploratory visit to New Brunswick
• Minimum personal net worth of $600,000 CAD
• At least $150,000 to invest in NB business
• 3+ years of recent management experience
• Minimum CLB 5 language level
• 22-55 years age range

Atlantic Immigration Program

• Full-time permanent job offer from a designated employer
• Meet the criteria of the employer’s LMIA

Critical Worker Pilot

• Job offer from a designated pilot employer
• Position employer unable to fill with Canadian

Selection Criteria and Scoring for Key NBPNP Streams

If candidates meet the minimum eligibility criteria, their application is scored based on selection factors like:

Express Entry Stream

Selection Factor	Points
Education	Maximum 25 points
Language	Maximum 28 points
Work Experience	Maximum 15 points
Age	Maximum 12 points
Arranged Employment	10 points
Adaptability	Maximum 10 points
TOTAL	Maximum 100 points

Skilled Worker Stream

Selection Factor	Points
Age	5 or 10 points
Language	4-9 points
Education	10-18 points
Work Experience	2-10 points
Adaptability	Up to 15 points
TOTAL	Maximum 50+ points

Business Stream

Selection Factor	Points
Age	5 or 10 points
Language	4-9 points
Education	10-18 points
Business Experience	Up to 18 points
Adaptability	Up to 25 points
TOTAL	Maximum 50+ points

How does the Express Entry Labor Market Stream work?

The Express Entry Labor Market Stream allows the NBPNP to tap into the federal Express Entry system to meet New Brunswick’s labour market needs. Here is how it works:

• Candidates must have an active Express Entry profile and a valid job seeker validation code.
• The NBPNP accepts Expressions of Interest (EOI) from candidates between the 1st to 15th of each month.
• Candidates are scored based on a points grid weighing factors like education, language, work experience, age, etc.
• The highest-scoring candidates are invited to apply to the NBPNP.
• If nominated, the candidate can enter the Express Entry pool and get an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence from IRCC.
• The target processing time is 6 months once the nomination is issued.

To qualify for this stream, candidates must be living in New Brunswick or have a valid job offer. They need CLB 7 for language and meet other eligibility criteria.

The NBPNP can select candidates who meet New Brunswick’s specific workforce needs through this integrated Express Entry stream.

What is the Skilled Worker Stream in New Brunswick?

The Skilled Worker Stream is for foreign nationals who have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to New Brunswick’s economy and labour market. Candidates must also have a genuine full-time, permanent job offer from a New Brunswick employer.

There are two pathways under this stream:

Skilled Worker with Family Support

• Candidates must have worked in New Brunswick.
• They need support from a family member who is permanently residing in NB.
• Must meet education, work experience, language and other eligibility criteria.

Skilled Worker with Employer Support

• Candidates must have a permanent job offer that aligns with their qualifications.
• The employer must be well-established in NB and support the application.
• Candidates are assessed based on language, education, experience, adaptability factors, and other criteria.

Both pathways require candidates to have the full intent to live and work in New Brunswick and become economically established. Applicants with skills matching local labour market needs are prioritized.

Who is eligible for the Business Immigration Stream?

The New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream targets experienced business investors and entrepreneurs. Candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Age between 22-55 years
• Education – Minimum high school diploma
• Language – CLB Level 5 in English or French
• Business Experience – At least 3 years as active business owner/manager in the last 5 years
• Exploratory Visit – 5-day exploratory business trip to NB
• Personal Net Worth – Minimum $600,000 CAD
• Investment Funds – Able to make a minimum $150,000 CAD investment
• Business Plan – Detailed plan demonstrating benefit to NB economy
• Interview – Must clear interview with NBPNP official after site visit
• Settlement funds – Sufficient funds to support self and dependents

Eligible applicants are experienced entrepreneurs ready to buy or start a business in New Brunswick and take on an active management role. The business must provide benefits to the province.

How can I apply for the NBPNP?

Here are the key steps to apply for nomination under the NBPNP:

• Determine your eligibility for one of the program streams based on the criteria.
• Submit an Expression of Interest to the stream you qualify for. Applications are typically accepted monthly or periodically.
• Prepare your documents, including language tests, education credentials, proof of work experience, settlement funds, etc.
• If invited, complete the entire application form and submit it along with supporting documents.
• If approved, you will receive a nomination from the NBPNP.
• Apply for PR: With nomination you can apply for permanent residence through Express Entry.
• Landing: If approved, you will land in Canada as a permanent resident.

You should use an authorized representative to ensure you understand eligibility and submit a complete application.

What are the fees and processing times?

Here are the typical NBPNP fees and processing times to keep in mind:

• NBPNP application fee – $250 to $2,000 CAD depending on stream
• PR processing fee – $1,325 CAD for the main applicant, $225 CAD for dependents
• Biometrics – $85 CAD per person
• NBPNP processing time – Approximately 6-8 months for completed applications
• PR processing time – Around 6 months once the nomination is issued

So the total fees can range from $1,700 to $3,000+ CAD for a principal applicant with dependents.

Processing times average 6-12 months in most cases depending on program volume and completeness of the application. Using an authorized immigration consultant can help expedite processing times.

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program offers a fast-track Canada immigration pathway for skilled workers, business investors and qualified international graduates who want to settle in New Brunswick permanently.

With tailored streams aligned to the province’s economic needs, the NBPNP aims to select immigrants who have the greatest potential to integrate and contribute to the local labour market.

Canada offers Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) in other provinces that provide pathways to permanent residence based on local economic needs. Some of these other PNPs include:

• British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
• Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
• Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
• Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
• Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

FAQs related to the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)

Article Sources

• New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) – canadavisa.com
• Eligibility Requirements for the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NB PNP) – canadavisa.com
• New Brunswick Immigration Program Streams – www2.gnb.ca
• New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program – iasservices.org.uk
• New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) – immigtoronto.com