New Brunswick Opens 2026 Immigration Selections with Large Multi-Stream PNP Draw
New Brunswick has officially launched its 2026 provincial immigration program with a major round of invitations under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP). The province conducted a series of draws between January 13 and January 15, issuing invitations to candidates across multiple immigration streams.
This first selection round of the year focused on applicants who already have strong ties to New Brunswick, reinforcing the province’s priority to retain skilled workers, graduates, and French-speaking newcomers who are contributing to the local economy.
Total Invitations Issued
Across all draws, 379 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for provincial nomination were issued. Candidates were selected from Expressions of Interest submitted on or before January 12 at 11:59 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time.
Invitations were distributed across three immigration streams:
- New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
- New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream
- New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
Each of these streams requires candidates to demonstrate a meaningful connection to the province, such as work experience, education, language ability, or employer support.
Skilled Worker Stream Dominates the Draw
The New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream accounted for the majority of invitations in this round, with 244 ITAs, representing approximately 64% of all selections.
This stream targets skilled foreign nationals who are already employed in New Brunswick or have a valid job offer from a provincial employer.
Pathways Selected Under the Skilled Worker Stream
New Brunswick Experience Pathway
Candidates selected under this pathway were required to:
- Have lived in New Brunswick for at least six months before submitting an EOI
- Be working full-time in a non-seasonal position for a New Brunswick employer
- Have at least six months of work experience with the supporting employer
New Brunswick Graduates Pathway
Candidates qualified under this pathway if they:
- Completed a Post-Graduation Work Permit-eligible program at a designated learning institution in New Brunswick
- Are currently working full-time for a New Brunswick employer or have a valid non-seasonal job offer
All occupational sectors were considered under both pathways.
Strategic Initiative Stream Reopens After Year-Long Pause
New Brunswick also issued 115 invitations under the Strategic Initiative Stream, exclusively through the Francophone Priorities pathway.
This draw is particularly significant as the Strategic Initiative Stream had been paused since January 2025, with no invitations issued throughout the year due to a sufficient inventory of applications. The January 2026 draw marks the first selection under this stream in over a year.
Francophone Priorities Eligibility
Candidates selected under this pathway needed to meet at least one of the following conditions:
- Previous residence in New Brunswick and completion of a minimum one-year, in-person program at Université de Moncton or Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick
- Receipt of a formal Letter of Interest from Immigration New Brunswick
All occupational sectors were eligible, emphasizing the province’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its Francophone population.
Express Entry Stream Targets Working Professionals in New Brunswick
Under the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream, 20 invitations were issued through the Employment in New Brunswick pathway.
This stream is aligned with the federal Express Entry system and targets skilled workers already contributing to the provincial labour market.
Key Eligibility Requirements
To be selected, candidates were required to:
- Have lived in New Brunswick for at least 12 months
- Be working full-time in a non-seasonal TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation
- Have accumulated at least 12 months of full-time work experience in New Brunswick
Candidates who successfully obtain a provincial nomination through this stream receive 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System points, significantly increasing their chances of receiving an invitation for permanent residence at the federal level.
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