New Brunswick Restarts Provincial Nominations with December Selection Round

New Brunswick has resumed provincial immigration invitations after a brief pause, holding its first draw of December under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP).

On December 9, 2025, the province issued 110 Invitations to Apply across two major immigration streams, focusing on francophone candidates employed in New Brunswick. This marked the first nomination round since mid-November and signals the province’s continued emphasis on in-province talent retention.

All applications connected to this draw will be assessed and finalized during the 2026 processing year.

Overview of Invitations Issued

Invitations were distributed across the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream and the New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream, with a strong majority issued under skilled worker pathways.

• New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
  Employment in New Brunswick pathway: 8 invitations
• New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
  New Brunswick Experience and New Brunswick Graduates pathways: 102 invitations

The selection cut-off for all invited candidates was December 8, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time.

Strong Focus on Francophone Candidates

This draw exclusively targeted francophone applicants, regardless of occupation. The province continues to prioritize French-speaking immigrants to support bilingual communities, workforce needs, and demographic growth across New Brunswick.

Eligibility Requirements by Pathway

Express Entry Stream – Employment in New Brunswick
To receive an invitation under this pathway, candidates were required to:

• Hold a valid Express Entry profile
• Have lived in New Brunswick for at least 12 months
• Be employed full-time in a year-round, non-seasonal TEER 0–3 position with an eligible New Brunswick employer
• Demonstrate at least 12 consecutive months of authorized work experience in the province
• Meet minimum language requirements of CLB 7
• Hold at least a high school credential or equivalent

Skilled Worker Stream – New Brunswick Experience
Eligibility for this pathway required candidates to:

• Work full-time in a non-seasonal role for an eligible employer in New Brunswick
• Have a minimum of six months of full-time work experience with the supporting employer
• Reside in New Brunswick for at least six months prior to submitting an Expression of Interest

Skilled Worker Stream – New Brunswick Graduates
Candidates selected under this pathway had to:

• Graduate from a Post-Graduation Work Permit-eligible program at a New Brunswick Designated Learning Institution
• Be working full-time in a non-seasonal job with an eligible employer in the province or have a valid job offer

What This Draw Signals for 2026

This December draw highlights New Brunswick’s strategy of prioritizing candidates who are already contributing to the provincial economy and community, particularly those with French-language skills. As the province transitions applications into the 2026 processing cycle, employer-supported and in-province experience pathways are expected to remain central to future selections.

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