First New Brunswick PNP Draw of 2026 Targets Candidates From Three Immigration Streams

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) has conducted its first set of draws for 2026, issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) between January 13 and January 15. In this round, invitations were sent to candidates under three immigration streams, all of which require applicants to demonstrate a genuine connection to the province.

Overview of the Latest NBPNP Draw

In total, 379 candidates received ITAs for provincial nomination. Selections were made under the following streams:

• New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
• New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
• New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream

The cut-off date for Expression of Interest (EOI) submissions was January 12 at 11:59 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time.

New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream

The New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream accounted for the majority of invitations in this round, with approximately 64% of all ITAs issued under this category.

• New Brunswick Experience Pathway: 244 invitations
• Occupational focus: All sectors

This stream is designed for skilled foreign workers who are currently employed in New Brunswick or have a valid job offer from a provincial employer.

Eligibility under the New Brunswick Experience pathway included:

• Living in New Brunswick for at least six months before submitting an EOI
• Full-time, non-seasonal employment with a New Brunswick employer willing to support the application
• A minimum of six months of work experience with the supporting employer

For the New Brunswick Graduates pathway, candidates were required to:

• Complete a Post-Graduation Work Permit–eligible program at a designated learning institution in New Brunswick
• Hold a full-time, non-seasonal job or job offer from a New Brunswick employer

New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream

• New Brunswick Francophone Priorities pathway: 115 invitations
• Occupational focus: All sectors

This draw is significant as it marks the first selection under this stream in over a year. The Strategic Initiative Stream had been paused throughout 2025 due to a sufficient backlog of EOIs.

This stream targets French-speaking candidates who have strong ties to New Brunswick, such as education, work experience, or employment offers in the province.

Candidates selected under the Francophone priorities pathway met one of the following conditions:

• Previous residence in New Brunswick and completion of at least a one-year, in-person program at Université de Moncton or Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB)
• Receipt of a Letter of Interest from Immigration New Brunswick

New Brunswick Express Entry Stream

• Employment in New Brunswick pathway: 20 invitations
• Occupational focus: All sectors

The NB Express Entry Stream is aligned with Canada’s federal Express Entry system and targets skilled workers already working in the province.

Key eligibility requirements included:

• Residing in New Brunswick for the past 12 months
• Full-time, non-seasonal employment in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation
• At least 12 months of full-time work experience in New Brunswick

Candidates who receive a provincial nomination through this stream can gain 600 additional CRS points, significantly improving their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence.

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