New Brunswick is a Maritime province located in the northeastern part of Canada and is the only officially bilingual province in the country, with approximately 30% of its population speaking French as their first language.
Through the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), individuals with skills and experience that align with the province’s needs can receive a provincial nomination certificate. This nomination allows foreign nationals to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Overview
New Brunswick, the largest of Canada’s three Maritime provinces, is located south of Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula and next to Maine, USA. It offers great employment opportunities and a lower cost of living compared to larger provinces. Newcomers can choose to live in vibrant cities like Fredericton, Saint John, and Moncton, or in smaller towns. The province is also known for its scenic lakes, rivers, and outdoor recreational areas.
The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) helps immigrants with the skills and experience needed by the province to get a provincial nomination. Applicants can then apply for Canadian permanent residence. New Brunswick currently offers five immigration streams for prospective immigrants.
Immigration Streams
- Express Entry Stream
- This stream uses the federal Express Entry system to meet New Brunswick’s labour market needs.
- Minimum Requirements:
- Active Express Entry profile
- Job Seeker Validation Code or proof of enrollment in a PGWP-eligible program
- Currently living in New Brunswick
- Language test scores equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 7 in English or French
- Skilled Workers Stream
- This stream is for individuals with a full-time, permanent job offer from a New Brunswick employer.
- Minimum Requirements:
- Intend to reside in New Brunswick
- Full-time permanent job offer and employer support letter
- Minimum secondary school diploma (Canadian or equivalent)
- Age between 19-55
- Language test scores equal to CLB Level 4 in English or French
- Business Immigration Stream
- For individuals planning to own and actively manage a business in New Brunswick with a required investment.
- Minimum Requirements:
- Eligible connection to New Brunswick
- Academic degree (3+ years of study) or a specific trade diploma (2+ years)
- Minimum personal net worth of $600,000 CAD ($300,000 must be unencumbered)
- Age between 22-55
- Language test scores equal to CLB Level 5
- Strategic Initiative Stream
- For Francophone workers who can contribute to New Brunswick’s economy and wish to live and work permanently in the province.
- Minimum Requirements:
- Intend to reside in New Brunswick
- Qualifying connection to New Brunswick
- Secondary school diploma (Canadian or equivalent)
- Required settlement funds
- Age between 19-55
- French language test scores equal to NCLC 5
- Critical Worker Pilot
- Launched in November 2022, this pilot helps designated employers recruit foreign talent to meet workforce needs.
- Atlantic Immigration Program
- New Brunswick participates in this program, along with three other Atlantic provinces, to recruit foreign workers and fill labour market gaps. Applicants must have a job offer from a designated employer.
Each of these streams offers different pathways based on qualifications, work experience, and connections to the province.
