New Brunswick is one of the four Atlantic provinces of Canada that offers various candidate streams, a business stream and an employer stream, apart from being a part of the Atlantic Immigration Program. The main program of the province is called the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) which let’s candidates with required skills, education, and work experience to immigrate to NB.
NBPNP is one of the Provincial Nominee Programs of Canada through which individuals can apply to get nominated and then further, apply for Canadian PR. Some of the best cities to live in NB are no doubt Saint John, Moncton, and Fredericton. Looking for information on different streams of NBPNP? No worries, sift through this page and find all the required information in one place!
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New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program Streams
The immigration pathways functioning under the NBPNP are:
| NBPNP Streams for Candidates | NBPNP Stream for Entrepreneurs | NBPNP Employer-based Streams |
|---|---|---|
| 1. NB Express Entry Stream 2. NB Strategic Initiative Stream 3. NB Skilled Worker Stream 4. NB Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program | 1. NB Business Immigration Stream | 1. NB Critical Worker Pilot 2. Atlantic Immigration Program |
Eligibility Criteria of NBPNP
Since each NBPNP immigration stream operates differently, it is obvious that the eligibility requirements for each of them are different. The applicant has to meet these requirements at all stages of the immigration process, and maintain their nomination status while their PR application is in process.
We will list out the eligibility requirements below based on the kind of immigration stream it is.
1. Eligibility Requirements for Candidate Streams
| Eligibility Criteria | NB Express Entry Stream | NB Strategic Initiative Stream | NB Skilled Worker Stream | NB Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PR ready | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Intent to reside | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Job Offer | If you have one | If required | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Competitive wage | If required | If required | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Proof of funds | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Remote work arrangements | If required | ❌ | If required | If required |
| Regulated occupations | If required | If required | If required | If required |
| Additional Factors | Connection to New Brunswick | Connection to New Brunswick | Work Experience | |
| Age | Employer Support | |||
| Language Requirements | ||||
| Education |
2. Eligibility Requirements for Employer-based Streams
| Eligibility Criteria | Atlantic Immigration Program | NB Critical Worker Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| PR ready | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Intent to reside | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Job Offer | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Competitive wage | If required | ✔️ |
| Proof of funds | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Remote work arrangements | ❌ | If required |
| Regulated occupations | ❌ | If required |
| Additional Factors | Work Experience | |
| Education | ||
| Language Requirements | ||
| Certificate of Endorsement |
3. Eligibility Requirements for NB Business Immigration Stream
- Economically benefit the province
- Candidate must intend to reside in NB
- Candidate must invest the required amount
- Candidate must actively manage the business
- Business must create 1 full-time job (at least)
- Physical presence in the province is required
- There are also some key sectors under this stream
- Established or bought business must meet the requirements
- Operate the business according to the provincial regulations
- If you bought an established business, it must meet the requirements associated to it
- Candidate might be required to make some exploratory visits to NB before immigration
- Net worth verification report needs to be submitted, if the candidate receives an ITA
- There are some eligible seasonal businesses that the GNB might approve (if it meets the requirements)
- Site visits will be conducted by the GNB to ensure the compliance of the business establishment
Eligibility Criteria For Employers
Some streams’ eligibility criteria require the employers of the candidates to meet eligibility criteria as well. These streams are:
- NB Express Entry Stream
- NB Skilled Worker Stream
- NB Critical Worker Pilot
- NB Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program
| Eligibility Criteria | NB Express Entry Stream | NB Skilled Worker Stream | NB Critical Worker Pilot | NB Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employer must be in good standing in NB | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Must be facing genuine labour shortages | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Establish a genuine relationship with candidate | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Pay Employer Compliance Fee | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Not misrepresent employment opportunities | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Leverage immigration to expand workforce only if they meet certain conditions | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Fill out the NBCWP-004 / NBPNP-004 Form | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Engage in illegal occupation opportunities | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Selection Factors
After a candidate meets the eligibility criteria of the stream through which they will be immigrating, they must meet the selection factors based on the following criteria as well:
- Age
- Language Skills
- Education
- Work Experience
- Job Offer
- Adaptability
- Other Factors
Minimum Points Required According to Each NBPNP Stream:
| Streams | Minimum Points Required |
|---|---|
| 1. NB Express Entry Stream | 67/100 |
| 2. NB Skilled Worker Stream | 60/100 |
| 3. NB Strategic Initiative Stream | 65/100 |
| 4. NB Business Immigration Stream | 65/100 |
| 5. NB Critical Worker Pilot | Meet all requirements |
| 6. NB Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program |
| Factor (Maximum Points Provided) | 1. NB Express Entry Stream | 2. NB Skilled Worker Stream | 3. NB Strategic Initiative Stream | 4. NB Business Immigration Stream |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 12 | 10 | 12 | 10 |
| Language Proficiency | 28 | 24 +4 (second official language) | 28 | 20+5 (second official language) |
| Education | 25 | 20 | 25 | 20 |
| Work Experience | 15 | 20 | 15 | 15 |
| Adaptability | 10 | 12 | 20 | 5 |
| Other Factors | Employment in NB – 10 | Priority sectors – 10 | Strategic Initiative Settlement Plan – No points given | Business Plan – 25 |
| – | – | – | Personal Net Worth – No points given | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Document Checklist
Below is the list of documents you would need according to your situation for the following streams:
- NB Express Entry Stream
- NB Strategic Initiative Stream
- NB Skilled Worker Stream
- NB Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program
- NB Critical Worker Pilot
These are the common documents required when applying through any of the above-mentioned streams.
| Documents Required | Remarks |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | ✔️ |
| Passport | ✔️ |
| Travel documents | ✔️ |
| Color digital photo | ✔️ |
| Language test result | ✔️ |
| Academic certificates/ECA | ✔️ |
| Previous work experience | ✔️ |
| Proof of funds | ✔️ |
| Reference Letter | ✔️ |
| Work contracts | ✔️ |
| Consent and Declaration | ✔️ |
| Affidavit of Translation | ✔️ |
| Documents demonstrating adaptability | If required |
| Work permit | If required |
| Tax Information | If required |
| Use of Representative | If required |
| Marriage, divorce/death certificate | If you have one |
| Common-law union | If you have one |
| Children’s information | If you have one |
The list of additional documents required according to each stream are listed below:
| NB Express Entry Stream | NB Strategic Initiative Stream | NB Skilled Worker Stream | NB Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invitation to Apply | Settlement Plan | Skilled Worker Employer Information Form | Proof of residence during studies |
| Employer information Form | Study and/or Work permit | ||
| Skilled Worker Employer Information Form |
Canada PR Application Process
The application process to receive a nomination differs slightly according to each stream operating under the NBPNP. However, some of them also share similar steps. Learn the steps to apply for a nomination to getting permanent residency through each of the streams below.
The application processing will remain similar for the following streams:
- NB Express Entry Stream
- NB Strategic Initiative Stream
- NB Skilled Worker Stream
- NB Critical Worker Pilot
- NB Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program
Step 1: Accept a job offer that must be full-time and permanent (not mandatory for those applying through NB Strategic Initiative Stream) / Create an Express Entry profile – for those applying through NB Express Entry Stream
Step 2: Be eligible to apply for Canada PR anytime
Step 3: Create an Expression of Interest (EOI) on the Interest New Brunswick (INB) portal
Step 4: Get Invited to Apply (ITA)
Step 5: Submit a completed application to get nominated by GNB within 45 days (20 days, if you’re applying through the NB Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program)
Step 6: Send any additional information required by the GNB to process your application
Step 7: Get nominated by GNB (and a work permit support letter- for those applying through NB Critical Worker Pilot and NB Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program)
Step 8: Submit and receive a work permit – for those applying through NB Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program
Step 9: Confirm employment and keep maintaining your nomination – for those applying through NB Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program
Step 10: Apply for Canada PR within 6 months
Step 11: Receive a decision from IRCC and immigrate to Canada
5. NB Business Immigration Stream: Application Process
Follow these steps to apply to immigrate through the NB Business Immigration Stream:
Step 1: Be eligible to fill out the PR application
Step 2: Create a candidate profile on the INB
Step 3: Submit an EOI
Step 4: Receive an ITA, if GNB selects your profile
Step 5: Submit a nomination application form within 90 days
Step 6: Receive a work permit letter of support, if GNB issues it to you
Step 7: Apply for work permit and start establishing your business in NB
Step 8: Get nominated by GNB
Step 9: Apply for PR
NBPNP Processing Fees
The application processing fees for each NBPNP stream is provided below:
| Stream | Fees |
|---|---|
| NB Express Entry Stream | CAN$250 |
| NB Strategic Initiative Stream | |
| NB Skilled Worker Stream | |
| NB Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program | |
| NB Critical Worker Pilot | |
| NB Business Immigration Stream | CAN$2,000 |
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