New Brunswick PNP Eligibility

Express Entry Labour Market Stream

This stream allows the NBPNP to use the federal Express Entry immigration selection system to meet New Brunswick’s specific labour market and demographic needs. This stream operates under an ‘Expression of Interest’ model.

In order to be eligible for the NBPNP – EELMS, candidates must:

Be between the ages of 22 and 55;
Demonstrate proficiency in each of the four language abilities (speaking, reading, writing, and listening) equivalent to or greater than Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7. Language test results must be no more than two years old and must come from a designated agency: IELTS (General Training Test only) for English; CELPIP (General test only) for English; or TEF for French;
Have a completed Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary educational credential (at least one academic year in length) OR a completed foreign educational credential from a recognized institution or authority. In the case of a foreign educational credential, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report, issued by an organization designated by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC, formerly CIC), is required;
If the applicant is being considered for provincial nomination under an occupation regulated in New Brunswick, he or she will require a valid job offer from a New Brunswick employer.
Have at least 12 months (1,560 hours minimum) of continuous skilled work experience (or equivalent paid part-time work) in his or her primary occupation. Only skill type 0, or skill levels A or B of the 2011 National Occupational Classification (NOC), are eligible. Work experience cannot have been gained through self-employment or while the candidate was a full-time student (volunteer work, unpaid internships, co-op terms, etc. do not count);
Sign and submit a Commitment to Live and Work in New Brunswick form; and
Show sufficient funds to support the settlement of themselves as well as all dependent family members.

Skilled Workers with Employer Support

New Brunswick accepts applications under this category from individuals who have received a full-time, permanent job offer from a New Brunswick employer.

Application Process

Step 1: Submit Application to the NBPNP

Applicants must submit the original copy of their NBPNP form, a photocopy of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) forms, supporting documents and pay a non-refundable processing fee. The NBPNP may request additional information at any time during the application process to assess an application.

Step 2: The NBPNP Issues Written Notification of Decision

NBPNP will provide written notification of the final decision. If nominated, the NBPNP will mail the applicant’s Canadian permanent residence application to IRCC processing.

Step 3: Settle in New Brunswick and Inform the NBPNP

Once a Canadian permanent residence visa is issued, the applicant must notify the NBPNP of the home address and telephone number in New Brunswick within 30 days of landing in Canada.

Minimum Requirements for Employers In addition, employers must prove that:

They were unable to recruit a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for the position offered;
The job will provide a comparable industry rate of pay and will comply with provincial employment standards.

Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream

New Brunswick accepts applications under this category from individuals who have graduated from a recognized academic institution in New Brunswick, and have started or acquired a business in the province.

In order to be eligible under the PGES, candidates must meet the following criteria:

be between 22-40 years of age;
prove a minimum language proficiency level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French for all four language abilities: reading, writing, listening and speaking;
score a minimum of 65 out of 100 in New Brunswick’s PGES points assessment;
have completed a full-time New Brunswick post-secondary degree or diploma for at least two years (15 hours of class per week) from a recognized university in New Brunswick or the New Brunswick Community College;
have resided in New Brunswick during the academic program (distance-learning programs or compressed academic programs are not eligible);
have owned and operated a business in New Brunswick for at least one full year (100% ownership of business equity);
have a valid post-graduation work permit; and
demonstrate intention and ability to settle in New Brunswick.

Entrepreneurial Stream

New Brunswick accepts applications from individuals who plan to own and actively manage a business in New Brunswick. Applicants are expected to make a monetary investment in the business.

Eligibility Requirements to be fulfilled by applicants

In order to be eligible for the New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream, individuals must:

Be between 22 and 55 years of age;
Have a minimum of a two-year post-secondary education after high school;
Have a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English or French;
Demonstrate an intention to live and operate a business in New Brunswick;
The applicant must assume a day-to-day management role in the business.
Provide a business plan, approved by a New Brunswick government official, that will show how the business will benefit New Brunswick;
Have a personal net worth of at least $600,000 CAD of which $300,000 must be unaffected by debts or other obligations;
Have at least three out of five years of experience in managing and owning a business (of at least 33.3%) or have five years out of five of experience in a senior business management role or more, and be responsible for supervising at least two employees;
Want to live permanently in New Brunswick, while owning and managing a local business;
Present a business concept that demonstrates the potential to provide significant economic benefit to the province; and
Score at least 65 points on New Brunswick’s unique selection grid.

Eligibility Requirements for the New Brunswick Business

In order to be considered eligible, the business must be:

of significant economic benefit to New Brunswick;
established as a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation; (in the case of a partnership, the other partner(s) must be a Permanent Resident or Canadian Citizen);
the continued operation of an existing business or the establishment of a new business;
a private-sector, for-profit entity with the primary purpose of earning profits through the sale of goods and/or services; and
considered a “permanent establishment” as defined under subsection 400(2) of the Canadian Income Tax Regulations, 1985.

New Brunswick PNP Eligibility