New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) – How It Works

New Brunswick, Canada

New Brunswick provides a chance for people who want to move into the province to do so via the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP). Essentially, it is a part of the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program that encompasses provinces and territories that participate. Candidates who are awarded a nomination can gain a permanent residence.

To understand all the application options, below, you’ll find a detailed guide with explanations, requirements, and tips.

Why New Brunswick?

Before you move on to reading about the program, let’s tackle a couple of unique characteristics of the province. Why New Brunswick? Furthermore, what does it offer? What are the main reasons people want to live there?

New Brunswick is one of the three Maritime provinces (along with Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Islands). The main word that comes to mind for this region is the amazing jagged coastline with picturesque cliffs, beaches, and bays. The rest of the scenery includes beautiful greenery (as many as 84% is covered in trees). It’s no wonder that their industry is focused on fishing and foresting. Another interesting thing for those of you who consider moving to NB is that it’s the only bilingual province to recognize both English and French as official languages.

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP): From A to Z

You can apply if you fulfill the minimum requirements of any of the following NBPNP streams:

When you receive the provincial nomination certificate for a particular stream, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will continue the process. They will analyze the nomination and reach the final decision with regard to your status. This process usually takes from 6 to 8 weeks.

#1 – Skilled Workers Stream (SWS)

The New Brunswick Skilled Workers Stream is a pathway for the candidates who possess the skills and qualifications that can benefit the province.

Firstly, a permanent job offer by a New Brunswick employer will connect you to this stream. Furthermore, it has to be a full-time position (a minimum of 30 hours per week/1,560 hours per year), belonging to the NOC skill levels that benefit the New Brunswick labor market.

Most of the occupations within 0, A, and B levels meet the needs of the region.

Do you meet the minimum requirements? Here’s additional info you need to know about this stream.

An offer of employment means that you will receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for the program. Then, you will have 45 days to submit your application along with the necessary documents (credential documents, reference letters, test results for languages, etc.). All the candidates who have a valid job offer as described above are assessed and assigned points based on the following factors:

  • Age
  • First official language (all four skills; IELTS or CELPIP for English)
  • Second official language (all four skills; TEF or TCF for French)
  • Education
  • Work experience
  • Priority sectors
  • Adaptability

Those applicants that score a minimum of 60 points and above have high chances of success.

#2 – Express Entry Stream (EES)

The Express Entry Stream reflects the previous, Skilled Workers Stream, in many criteria. Both aspire to bring the foreign citizens with the desired skills, education, and work experience to New Brunswick. Similarly, candidates who want to apply need a valid job offer (matching the same NOC standards, level 0, A, or B).

However, applicants must meet the regular eligibility requirements of the Express Entry Stream to apply. You can learn more about them here. Successful Express Entry Program participants will have their federal Express Entry Profile and Job Seeker Validation Code that are basic requirements for this stream.

In order to make it New Brunswick-specific, applicants ought to submit the Expression of Interest via the IMB System. New Brunswick will then contact the best candidates through their Express Entry account and send them an LOI (Letter of Interest).

#3 – Entrepreneurial Stream (ES)

If you’re an individual with substantial prospects to become economically established in New Brunswick, their Entrepreneurial Stream is for you.

Basically, you need to show that you can invest in an existing business or create a new one in the province. The minimum amount is CAD $250,000, derived from your net worth. Additionally, the selection factors described for the Skilled Worker Stream (age, language, education, etc.) are also relevant here. The minimum score required is 65.

Finally, the success of the business needs to be evaluated in order for you to become a nominee of the stream. Above all, the business needs to result in at least two full-time jobs for residents of New Brunswick (not including you or people who have close ties to you). Secondly, you need to take active participation in the management of the business. After some time, you’ll need to submit a Net Worth Verification Report. A positive outcome of this financial report can result in permanent residence.

Final Words on New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program

Thankfully, programs such as the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) make immigration to Canadian provinces easier. Our main goal is to help you better understand what you need to do and what to expect if you’re eligible for a certain pathway.

Just like with other Provincial Nominee programs, knowing what employment options are sought in the province can immensely help you with living and working in New Brunswick. And if you’re planning on investing in a business there, it’ll be even easier to make it.