The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) is the primary immigration pathway for workers, graduates, and entrepreneurs who want to settle in Canada’s only officially bilingual province. After a temporary pause, the program reopened on February 5, 2025, in a controlled manner with three active streams: the Skilled Worker Stream (covering the NB Experience and NB Graduates pathways), the Express Entry Labour Market Stream, and the Entrepreneurial Stream.
New Brunswick presents a distinctive immigration proposition: lower cost of living than Ontario or British Columbia, a bilingual environment that is attractive to French speakers, a growing economy driven by IT, healthcare, and natural resources, and a genuine shortage of skilled workers in key sectors. The NBPNP is one of the pathways that can turn these regional advantages into a concrete PR strategy — particularly for candidates with existing NB ties through work or study.
📋 Quick Facts
- Government Fee: Provincial: $250 (Skilled Worker and Express Entry streams); $2,000 (Business Immigration stream). Federal PR: $1,525 principal applicant
- Biometrics: $85 individual / $170 family
- Processing Time: Skilled Worker: 3–6 months provincial. Express Entry: 1–2 months provincial + ~7 months federal. Business: 9–12 months.
- RCIC-IRB Representation: Available — Dimple Verma R708308
Eligibility Requirements
- Streams: Skilled Worker Stream (NB Experience, NB Graduates), Express Entry Labour Market, Entrepreneurial Stream
- Program reopened in controlled manner from February 5, 2025 after temporary pause
- Skilled Worker NB Experience: must have worked in NB for at least 12 months
- Skilled Worker NB Graduates: must have graduated from a NB post-secondary institution
- Express Entry: must have active EE profile with NB job offer or strong NB connection
- Entrepreneurial: minimum $250,000 investment; create minimum 5 jobs
NBPNP Streams Overview
Three streams currently operate under the NBPNP:
- Skilled Worker Stream — NB Experience Pathway: For workers who have lived and worked continuously in New Brunswick for at least 12 months. Requires a permanent, full-time NB employer job offer.
- Skilled Worker Stream — NB Graduates Pathway: For recent graduates of a New Brunswick post-secondary institution (within 5 years) with a NB employer job offer.
- Express Entry Labour Market Stream: For candidates with an active IRCC Express Entry profile who have a NB employer job offer or strong NB connection. Nomination adds +600 CRS points.
- Entrepreneurial Stream: For experienced investors with minimum $250,000 capital to invest in a NB business and create at least 5 jobs for Canadians/PRs.
The provincial fee is $250 for Skilled Worker and Express Entry streams and $2,000 for the Entrepreneurial Stream.
Processing Times and Fee Structure
| Stream | Provincial Processing | Provincial Fee | Federal Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker (NB Experience) | 3–6 months | $250 | ~13 months (base) |
| Skilled Worker (NB Graduates) | 3–6 months | $250 | ~13 months (base) |
| Express Entry Labour Market | 1–2 months | $250 | ~7 months (EE-linked) |
| Entrepreneurial Stream | 9–12 months | $2,000 | ~13–18 months |
The federal PR fee ($1,525 for principal applicant) plus RPRF ($575) and biometrics ($85 individual / $170 family) apply to all streams. Business immigration federal fee is $2,385.
Bilingualism Advantage
New Brunswick is Canada’s only constitutionally bilingual province, with a large Acadian French-speaking population. French-speaking candidates benefit in the NB Express Entry Labour Market Stream — a French connection or francophone background can make a candidate more competitive for NB selection. Candidates who speak both English and French may also qualify for additional points under the underlying Express Entry pool.
The federal Mobilité Francophone Work Permit (C16) and francophone community immigration pilots offer supplementary options for French-speaking candidates interested in Atlantic Canada.
NB Commitment — February 2025 Reopening
The NBPNP was temporarily paused prior to February 5, 2025, due to federal processing backlogs and program review. When it reopened, intake was managed in a controlled fashion to match provincial allocation. Candidates should be aware that the program may manage intake volumes and may pause again if annual nomination caps are reached.
The 2025 annual nomination allocation for NB is set by the federal government under the Provincial Nominee Program agreement. Applying early in the intake cycle — before caps are reached — is advisable.
How VGIS Helps
VGIS, led by Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308, provides New Brunswick PNP applicants with stream selection guidance, application preparation, employer job offer review, and federal PR filing support. Given the program’s recent reopening and controlled intake, understanding timing and eligibility precisely is critical.
Candidates unsure whether they qualify under the NB Experience or NB Graduates pathway — or whether to pursue the Express Entry Labour Market stream — benefit from a professional assessment before investing time and money in an application. Book a paid consultation to start your NBPNP assessment.
Fees & Costs
| Fee Component | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Government Fee | Provincial: $250 (Skilled Worker and Express Entry streams); $2,000 (Business Immigration stream). Federal PR: $1,525 principal applicant |
| Biometrics | $85 individual / $170 family |
Fees current as of 2026. IRCC may update fees periodically — confirm on the official source link below before paying.
Key Documents Required
- New Brunswick employer job offer (most streams)
- NB work or study history documentation
- Language test results
- Work experience reference letters
- Educational credentials
- Police clearances
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the NBPNP require me to live in New Brunswick after getting PR?
Provincial nominations come with a genuine expectation of settling in the nominating province. IRCC and NBPNP both expect nominees to intend to reside in New Brunswick. Applying under a provincial nominee program without genuine intent to settle in that province constitutes misrepresentation.
Can I apply to NBPNP if I am currently working in another province?
The Skilled Worker NB Experience Pathway requires 12 months of continuous NB employment. If you are currently working outside NB, this pathway is not available to you. The Express Entry Labour Market stream may still be accessible if you have a NB connection or job offer, and you are based in another province.
Is there a points-based assessment for the Skilled Worker stream?
Yes. NBPNP uses a points grid to assess Skilled Worker applications. Factors include language, education, work experience, job offer, and NB connection. A minimum score threshold applies, and this may vary by intake. Your application must meet the minimum to advance to a full review.
How do I get an NB employer to sponsor me if I am overseas?
Employers in NB can offer employment to overseas candidates without an LMIA for provincial nominee purposes. Job boards, LinkedIn, and sector-specific NB employers in healthcare, IT, and construction often recruit internationally. Having NB employer interest before applying significantly strengthens your application.
What is the federal nomination cap for NB and how does it affect processing?
The federal government allocates a fixed number of provincial nominations to each province annually. When NB reaches its cap, new applications may be paused. Applying early in the calendar year and monitoring NBPNP announcements helps ensure your file is in the queue before intake closes.
Official Government Source: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/post-secondary_education_training_and_labour/skills/content/immigration/nbpnp.html
Start Your New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) Application Today
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Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration laws and IRCC policies change frequently. For advice specific to your case, please book a paid consultation with our licensed RCIC-IRB. VG Immigration Services Inc. — Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308.