The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) allows New Brunswick to nominate foreign nationals for Canadian permanent residence based on the province's economic and labour market priorities. Nominees then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to finalize their permanent residence.
New Brunswick uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) system managed through the Immigration New Brunswick (INB) portal. Submitting an EOI does not guarantee an invitation; the province selects candidates based on labour market needs, available nomination allocation, and other provincial priorities.
Program streams
The NBPNP currently operates four primary streams.
| Stream | Who it's for |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker Stream | Foreign nationals who are currently employed in New Brunswick or who have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an eligible New Brunswick employer. Includes sub-pathways for candidates with New Brunswick work experience and for New Brunswick post-secondary graduates. |
| Express Entry Stream | Candidates with an active profile in the federal Express Entry pool who meet New Brunswick's minimum requirements and have a demonstrated connection to the province, such as employment in New Brunswick or a Letter of Interest from the province. Uses the EOI system and links to federal Express Entry to expedite processing. |
| Strategic Initiative Stream | Primarily targets French-speaking (Francophone) foreign nationals with a connection to New Brunswick — for example, through work, study, or family in the province. Designed to support New Brunswick's Francophone immigration objectives and official-language communities. |
| Business Immigration Stream | For experienced entrepreneurs who intend to live in New Brunswick while establishing, purchasing, and actively managing a business in the province. Business applicants generally must demonstrate prior business ownership or senior management experience and meet minimum investment and net worth thresholds. |
How to apply
Create an EOI profile
Submit a profile through the Immigration New Brunswick (INB) online portal.
Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
New Brunswick reviews EOI profiles and issues ITAs based on provincial priorities. Meeting minimum eligibility does not guarantee an invitation.
Submit a full application
Once invited, complete and submit the full NBPNP application with supporting documentation within the specified deadline.
Receive a Certificate of Nomination
If approved, the province issues a nomination certificate.
Apply to IRCC for permanent residence
Submit the federal PR application. Express Entry nominees typically receive an IRCC invitation to apply within a short period after provincial nomination.
Processing times
Processing times vary by stream. Express Entry stream applications are generally processed faster than non-Express Entry streams because of the federal program linkage. Business stream files take longer due to business plan review requirements. Because New Brunswick publishes processing information on the INB portal and at welcomenb.ca, confirm current estimates directly before advising applicants on timelines.
Related links
- Newfoundland and Labrador PNP - Nova Scotia PNP - Prince Edward Island PNP - Ontario PNP
--- *Sources: Government of New Brunswick, gnb.ca and welcomenb.ca immigration pages, current as of July 2026. Stream names and eligibility criteria are subject to change; verify current program details through the official INB portal before advising applicants.*