Renowned for its rich cultural diversity and stunning natural landscapes, New Brunswick has become an increasingly attractive destination for individuals worldwide seeking new opportunities and a fresh start. In this article, Phan Immigration invites you to explore the latest updates on New Brunswick’s promising immigration programs, helping you navigate your path to a new life in Canada.
Overview of New Brunswick
Located on Canada’s eastern seaboard, New Brunswick spans approximately 71,000 square kilometers. The province is celebrated for its diverse cultural heritage and breathtaking natural landscapes. It offers a harmonious blend of charming, European-style towns and contemporary urban centers. New Brunswick experiences four distinct seasons: warm summers with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C, and cold winters averaging around -5°C.
Uniquely, New Brunswick is Canada’s only officially bilingual province, recognizing both English and French as official languages. Approximately 30% of its residents are French-speaking, while the majority communicate in English. The province’s three major cities—Saint John, Fredericton, and Moncton—serve as vital economic and cultural hubs.
Despite its vast area, New Brunswick has a relatively low population density, leading to significant labor shortages in various sectors. To stimulate economic growth and community development, the provincial government has implemented several immigration programs aimed at attracting foreign workers and international students. These initiatives present valuable opportunities for individuals seeking to establish their careers and build new lives in New Brunswick.
Why Choose New Brunswick for Immigration?
New Brunswick is an ideal destination for newcomers, offering significant advantages in terms of economy, lifestyle, education, and personal development. Below are some of the key reasons why many individuals and families choose to settle in this province:
- Strategic Coastal Location: Situated on Canada’s eastern seaboard, New Brunswick borders the Atlantic Ocean on three sides and shares land borders with both Quebec and the United States. This location provides strong advantages for trade, transportation, and economic expansion.
- Diverse and Thriving Industries: The province leads in various sectors, including manufacturing, tourism, marine services, forestry, transportation equipment, and mining. These industries create abundant job opportunities with competitive salaries, especially in key economic fields.
- Mild and Adaptable Climate: Compared to other regions in Canada, New Brunswick enjoys a relatively moderate climate, making it easier for newcomers to adapt and enjoy a high quality of life.
- Strong Healthcare System: The provincial healthcare system is highly regarded, with government support programs ensuring residents have access to quality medical services at minimal cost.
- Developed Infrastructure and Global Connectivity: A well-developed transportation network enables easy travel between cities. Additionally, New Brunswick’s international airports offer convenient connections to Asia, Europe, and the United States.
- Safe and Family-Friendly Environment: With a crime rate below the national average, New Brunswick provides a safe living environment, making it especially suitable for families with children.
- Affordable and Accessible Education: The government offers tuition support and reductions, allowing residents to access high-quality education without significant financial burden.
- Lower Cost of Living: Compared to larger provinces like Ontario or British Columbia, the cost of living in New Brunswick is considerably lower. Average housing prices in major cities are around CAD 200,000, making home ownership more attainable for many.
Popular Immigration Programs in New Brunswick
The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) is designed to attract candidates with the skills and experience needed to address local labor shortages and support the province’s economic development. Below are the most popular immigration streams under the NBPNP:
New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
The New Brunswick Express Entry Stream targets individuals with active profiles in the federal Express Entry system who can meet the province’s labor needs and are committed to settling in New Brunswick long term. To qualify, candidates must meet certain educational, work experience, and language requirements.
Eligibility Criteria for the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream:
*Connection to the Province:
Candidates must meet at least one of the following conditions:
- Be currently living and working full-time in a paid position in New Brunswick under a National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3 for the past 12 consecutive months.
- Have received a permanent, full-time, paid job offer from a New Brunswick employer in a TEER 0, 1, or 2 occupation.
- Be selected by the province directly from the federal Express Entry pool to meet specific labor market needs.
*Demonstrated Intent to Reside in New Brunswick:
Candidates must show a clear intention to live in the province long term through evidence such as:
- Current employment or a history of job searching in New Brunswick.
- Family ties, education, or previous work experience in the province.
- Community connections, including participation in social or local organizations.
- Ownership of property or a valid rental agreement in New Brunswick.
- Travel history to Canada and connections to other provinces.
*Financial Capacity:
Candidates must provide proof of sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their dependents in New Brunswick, consistent with the federal Express Entry proof of funds requirements.
*Occupational Suitability:
Candidates must have recent work experience in occupations classified under NOC TEER 0, 1, or 2 to meet provincial labor market demands.
*Job Offer (Optional):
While not mandatory, having a valid job offer strengthens an application. The job must be:
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- Full-time, non-seasonal, and permanent (minimum 30 hours per week or 1,560 hours per year).
- Offered at a wage that meets or exceeds the regional median wage for the occupation.
- Consistent with the employer’s internal wage structure and industry standards.
The New Brunswick Express Entry Stream continues to attract candidates with active profiles in the federal Express Entry system. As of Wednesday, March 5, 2025, the province is accepting new Expressions of Interest (EOIs) under two pathways:
- NB Express Entry – Job Offer Pathway
- NB Express Entry – Interest in New Brunswick Pathway
Important Note: At this time, New Brunswick is not accepting EOIs for occupations under the following NOC (National Occupation Classification) codes:
- NOC 12200 – Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers
- NOC 13110 – Administrative Assistants
- NOC 60020 – Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers
- NOC 60030 – Restaurant and Food Service Managers
- NOC 62010 – Retail Sales Supervisors
- NOC 62020 – Food Service Supervisors
- NOC 63200 – Cooks
- NOC 63202 – Bakers
New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
The NB Skilled Worker Stream is designed to attract individuals with relevant skills who have received a permanent, full-time job offer from a qualified New Brunswick employer. This stream is a strong option for workers intending to build a long-term life in the province.
Applicants may receive an invitation to apply if they meet the conditions of one of the following categories:
*New Brunswick Experience:
- Currently employed full-time in a permanent, non-seasonal position with a qualified New Brunswick employer.
- The employer is willing to support your immigration application.
- You have worked for the same employer for at least 6 consecutive months.
- You are currently residing in New Brunswick.
*New Brunswick Graduates:
- You have completed an eligible program of study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in New Brunswick and qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
- You are currently working full-time in a permanent, non-seasonal role with a qualified employer, or you have received an official job offer from one.
*New Brunswick Priority Occupations:
- You have received a permanent, full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an eligible employer who is willing to support your permanent residence application.
- The job offer must be the direct result of a recruitment initiative organized by the Government of New Brunswick.
- The occupation must fall within the province’s priority occupation list.
- You must have at least 1 year of paid, relevant work experience related to the offered position.
*Applicants must demonstrate a genuine intention to live and work in New Brunswick long term through one or more of the following indicators:
- Current employment or a documented history of job search activities within New Brunswick.
- Previous or current residence in the province.
- Family, educational, or employment ties to New Brunswick.
- Property ownership, a valid rental agreement, or participation in community activities.
- Details of past visits to Canada and connections to other provinces or territories.
*Licensing or Certification (if applicable): For regulated occupations, applicants must meet the province’s licensing or certification requirements to be considered eligible.
NB Business Immigration Stream
The Business Immigration Stream under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) is designed for experienced business owners or senior managers who are ready to invest in and actively manage a business in the province. This stream offers a pathway for entrepreneurs and their families to immigrate to Canada by establishing or purchasing a business in New Brunswick.
Eligibility Requirements:
*Basic Criteria:
- Age: Between 19 and 59 years old.
- Education: Minimum of a high school diploma.
- Language Proficiency: Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 in all four skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) in English or French.
- Minimum score of 65 points on the official assessment grid.
*Net Worth Requirements:
- A minimum personal net worth of CAD 500,000, or CAD 300,000 if investing in the agricultural sector.
- At least CAD 300,000 must be liquid and unencumbered by debts or other obligations.
*Business Ownership or Senior Management Experience:
- As a Business Owner:
- Must have owned at least 51% of a private business.
- Must have had direct management responsibilities and been the primary decision-maker.
- Must have supervised at least two employees for a minimum of two out of the past five years.
- As a Senior Manager:
- Held a senior management position in a profit-oriented company.
- Responsible for daily operations and key business decisions.
- Must have supervised at least two employees for a minimum of two out of the past five years.
- Investment Requirements:
- Make a minimum eligible business investment of CAD 150,000.
- Own at least 33% of the equity in the business.
- The business must create at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Latest Updates on New Brunswick Immigration Policies
Reopening of the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) in New Brunswick
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) in New Brunswick has officially reopened and is now accepting applications from designated employers who wish to sponsor foreign workers for approved job positions.
However, the program currently places restrictions on certain occupations. Applications for the following NOC codes are not being accepted at this time:
- NOC 12200 – Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers
- NOC 13110 – Administrative Assistants
- NOC 14400 – Shippers and Receivers
- NOC 60020 – Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers
- NOC 60030 – Restaurant and Food Service Managers
- NOC 62010 – Retail Sales Supervisors
- NOC 62020 – Food Service Supervisors
- NOC 63200 – Cooks
- NOC 63202 – Bakers
- NOC 64100 – Retail Salespersons and Visual Merchandisers
- NOC 64301 – Bartenders
- NOC 64314 – Hotel Front Desk Clerks
- NOC 64409 – Other Customer and Information Services Representatives
- NOC 94140 – Food and Beverage Processing Machine Operators
- NOC 94142 – Fish and Seafood Plant Workers
For candidates applying from outside Canada, only applications for job offers in the following priority sectors, as defined by Immigration New Brunswick, will be considered:
- Healthcare
- Education
- Construction
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review detailed eligibility criteria and stay informed through official provincial updates to ensure proper preparation and submission of their application.
Reopening of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
The streams under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) have officially reopened in 2025, with several important changes to align with updates to Canada’s overall immigration framework. These revisions aim to better align New Brunswick’s immigration streams with the province’s current labor market needs and economic priorities.
As of February 5, 2025, New Brunswick has begun a phased and controlled reopening of its provincial immigration pathways. Notably, the following two streams have resumed:
New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream:
Currently, the INB portal (Immigration New Brunswick) is experiencing unusually high traffic, which may affect system performance. The technical team is actively working to stabilize the platform.
Important Notice: Applications under the Skilled Worker stream will not be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, Expressions of Interest (EOIs) submitted via the INB portal will be added to a candidate pool and remain valid for 365 days.
Immigration New Brunswick will review EOIs and issue Invitations to Apply (ITA) to selected candidates during scheduled draws, starting next month.
New EOIs are now being accepted for this stream. Before submitting, applicants must carefully review the updated eligibility criteria and the list of restricted NOC codes for each pathway. EOIs should only be submitted if all program requirements are fully met.
As of 2025, the Skilled Worker stream has been divided into three distinct pathways:
- New Brunswick Experience Pathway
- New Brunswick Graduates Pathway
- New Brunswick Priority Occupations Pathway
Applicants should carefully evaluate each pathway to determine which aligns with their qualifications.
Restricted NOC Codes (not currently eligible):
- NOC 12200 – Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers
- NOC 13110 – Administrative Assistants
- NOC 60020 – Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers
- NOC 60030 – Restaurant and Food Service Managers
- NOC 62010 – Retail Sales Supervisors
- NOC 62020 – Food Service Supervisors
- NOC 63200 – Cooks
- NOC 63202 – Bakers
New Brunswick Express Entry Stream:
The New Brunswick Express Entry Stream will begin accepting new EOIs in the coming weeks under two pathways:
- Employment in New Brunswick Pathway
- New Brunswick Interests Pathway
Please note that the “New Brunswick Student Connection” pathway will not return in 2025. However, eligible graduates with a valid job offer or current employment in the province may still apply through the Employment in New Brunswick pathway under Express Entry.
Graduates may also consider other options, such as:
- New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
- New Brunswick Strategic Initiative (for French-speaking candidates)
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
Trusted Immigration Consulting for New Brunswick – Phan Immigration
Phan Immigration is a licensed immigration consulting firm authorized by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), offering safe, effective, and customized immigration solutions for each client. With over 15 years of experience, we proudly serve as a reliable bridge between Vietnam and Canada, helping individuals and families realize their dream of immigrating, building a career, and establishing a stable life in Canada.
Benefits of Choosing Phan Immigration’s Services:
- Licensed and Experienced Experts: Our team of immigration consultants is certified by CICC and deeply knowledgeable about Canada’s immigration policies and procedures.
- Comprehensive, Personalized Services: We support a wide range of immigration pathways, from temporary visas (study, work, travel) to long-term residency options such as Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and Family Sponsorship.
- Strong Network of Partners in Canada: We collaborate with immigration lawyers, economic advisors, and local businesses, helping clients settle, grow their enterprises, and integrate smoothly into Canadian society.
- Transparent, Dedicated Support: We provide clear, accurate guidance and remain by your side throughout the entire process—from preparing your documents to adapting to life in Canada.
Phan Immigration also offers expert consultation for proof of funds and financial documentation, a crucial requirement for most immigration pathways, especially the New Brunswick Business Immigration stream.
Our financial services include:
- Step-by-step guidance to prepare the required financial documentation according to Canadian government standards.
- Advice on eligible asset types such as savings accounts, real estate, and business equity.
- Tailored support for investors meeting the financial requirements under New Brunswick’s entrepreneur programs.
- Review and optimization of financial profiles to maximize approval chances.
If you are considering business immigration to New Brunswick or need professional advice on financial documentation for Canadian immigration, contact Phan Immigration today for support from our expert team.
Canada Office
- Address: Unit 700, 333 Bering Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M8Z 3A8, Canada
- Hotline: +1 647-390-0912
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- Address: 8th Floor, 147 Hai Bà Trưng, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Hotline: 078 208 4466
This article provides essential information about the New Brunswick Immigration Program along with the latest policy updates from the province. We hope the insights shared above have helped you better understand the program. If you have any questions, feel free to call our hotline at 078 208 4466 for prompt assistance.
