First New Brunswick PNP Draw of 2026 Invites 379 Candidates

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First New Brunswick PNP Draw of 2026 Invites 379 Candidates

New Brunswick has begun its 2026 immigration selection cycle by issuing its first round of provincial invitations, signalling a clear preference for candidates who already have established roots in the province. The selections were carried out over several days in mid-January and resulted in hundreds of skilled workers and Francophone applicants being invited to move closer to Canadian permanent residence.

This opening draw reflects New Brunswick’s broader strategy for the year: strengthening the local workforce, retaining international graduates, and revitalising Francophone immigration outside Quebec.

Snapshot of the January 2026 NB PNP Selections

During the initial selection rounds of 2026, New Brunswick issued 379 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under its Provincial Nominee Program. Candidates were selected from Expression of Interest (EOI) profiles submitted before the province’s mid-January deadline.

All invited applicants shared one common factor, a demonstrated connection to New Brunswick through employment, education, residence, or language-based community ties. Invitations were issued under three immigration pathways:

Skilled Worker Stream Takes the Lead

The Skilled Worker Stream emerged as the primary pathway in this draw, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all invitations issued.

Express Entry Stream: For Candidates with Provincial Work Experience

Alongside the Skilled Worker stream, a significant draw was conducted under the Employment in New Brunswick pathway of the Express Entry stream.

Draw Date	Pathway	ITAs Issued	Candidate Criteria
June 16	Employment in NB Pathway	297	1+ year of full-time work in New Brunswick

This stream focused on individuals who have been consistently employed in the province for at least 12 months. Though it welcomed applicants from various sectors, Chefs were excluded in this round.

Emphasis on In-Province Experience

Most invitations under this stream were directed at individuals already working in New Brunswick. To be considered, candidates needed to show that they:

All occupational fields were eligible, demonstrating the province’s broad labour demand across industries.

International Graduates Also Prioritised

New Brunswick also extended invitations to graduates who completed eligible post-secondary programs within the province. These candidates were required to be actively employed or hold a valid job offer from a New Brunswick employer in a long-term role.

This approach reinforces the province’s commitment to retaining international students who have already adapted to life and work in New Brunswick.

Francophone Stream Reopens After Extended Pause

One of the most notable aspects of this draw was the return of selections under the Strategic Initiative Stream, which had remained inactive throughout 2025.

Renewed Focus on French-Speaking Immigration

Through its Francophone-focused pathway, New Brunswick issued 115 invitations to French-speaking candidates. This marked the first time in more than a year that applicants were selected under this stream. Eligible candidates generally fell into one of two categories:

By reopening this pathway, New Brunswick has signalled a renewed effort to support Francophone population growth and community sustainability.

Express Entry Pathway Targets Established Workers

A smaller number of invitations were issued through the Express Entry-aligned stream, specifically targeting skilled workers who are already part of the federal Express Entry system. To qualify, candidates were required to:

Successful nominees under this pathway benefit from a significant advantage at the federal level, receiving 600 additional CRS points, which virtually guarantees an invitation for permanent residence in a future Express Entry draw.

What This Means for Prospective Applicants

New Brunswick’s first draw of 2026 highlights several key trends:

For individuals planning to immigrate through provincial programs, maintaining strong ties to New Brunswick, whether through employment, education, or language-based community links, will remain essential throughout 2026.

Excluded Occupations:

In addition to the excluded occupations under the Express Entry stream, the following occupations are also not considered under the Skilled Worker stream in 2025:

Job Title	NOC Code
Shippers and receivers	14400
Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers	64100
Bartenders	64301
Hotel front desk clerks	64314
Other customer service representatives	64409
Food and beverage servers	65200
Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, and related occupations	65201
Fish and seafood plant workers	94142
Labourers in food and beverage processing	95106
Labourers in fish and seafood processing	95107

What This Means for Prospective Immigrants

Manitoba’s first draw of 2026 reinforces the province’s preference for job-ready, employer-supported, and community-linked immigrants. Candidates hoping to improve their chances should focus on securing Manitoba employer connections, participating in provincial recruitment initiatives, and maintaining accurate documentation within their profiles.

As the year progresses, additional draws are expected, potentially with expanded invitation numbers depending on labour demand and provincial immigration targets.

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