Demand for Skilled Immigrants in New Brunswick
New Brunswick Invites 622 Candidates in Multiple Immigration Draws
The Canadian province of New Brunswick has carried out a new round of immigration selections, inviting hundreds of skilled foreign workers and graduates to apply for provincial immigration pathways.
Between March 3 and March 6, 2026, the province conducted several draws through the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program and the Atlantic Immigration Program, issuing 622 invitations in total. The invitations targeted candidates with work experience in key economic sectors, including health care, education, construction trades, and professional occupations.
Breakdown of Invitations Across Programs
The latest selections were distributed among multiple immigration pathways managed by the province. These included three streams under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program, along with the regional immigration route known as the Atlantic Immigration Program. The programs involved in the draw were:
- New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
- New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream
- New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
All selected candidates had submitted Expressions of Interest (EOIs) before the provincial deadline of March 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time.
Eligibility Timeline for Consideration
To be eligible for either draw, candidates were required to have submitted a valid Expression of Interest to New Brunswick on or before February 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. AST. Only EOIs meeting this deadline were reviewed during the selection process. This approach allows the province to manage intake efficiently while prioritizing applicants who are employment-ready or already established locally.
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.
Skilled Worker Stream Receives the Largest Share
The majority of invitations were issued through the New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream, which accounted for nearly 45% of the total invitations.
A total of 279 candidates were selected through two pathways:
- New Brunswick Experience pathway
- New Brunswick Graduates pathway
The province prioritised applicants working in sectors experiencing labour shortages, including:
- Health care
- Education and community services
- Construction trades
- Professional occupations
This immigration stream is intended for foreign nationals who either already work in New Brunswick or have secured a job offer from an eligible employer in the province.
Typical eligibility requirements include:
- A full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a provincial employer
- Skills and work experience match the job role
- Meeting minimum language benchmarks
- Demonstrating the ability to settle successfully in the province
Strategic Initiative Stream Focuses on Francophone Talent
Another significant portion of invitations was issued through the Strategic Initiative Stream, which is designed to strengthen French-speaking communities across the province. A total of 189 invitations were granted under two Francophone-focused pathways:
- Francophone Workers in New Brunswick
- New Brunswick Francophone Priorities
Unlike other streams in the draw, candidates from all occupational sectors were eligible under this program. The initiative aims to attract French-speaking professionals who can contribute to economic development and cultural diversity in the province.
Express Entry Stream Accounts for a Smaller Share
A smaller portion of invitations, 29 in total, was issued through the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream, representing about 4% of the overall selections. This stream operates in connection with the federal immigration system, Express Entry, and invites candidates who already have an active profile in the national pool. The invitations were mainly directed toward individuals working in sectors such as:
- Health care
- Education and social services
- Construction trades
- Professional occupations
To qualify under the Employment in New Brunswick pathway, candidates generally must:
- Have lived in the province for at least one year
- Be employed full-time in a skilled position with a provincial employer
- Have accumulated 12 months of eligible work experience in the province
Applicants who receive a provincial nomination through this stream gain 600 additional points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), greatly improving their chances of receiving an invitation for permanent residence.
Atlantic Immigration Program Invites 125 Candidates
Alongside provincial nominee streams, the province also issued 125 invitations through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). This employer-driven immigration pathway allows companies across Atlantic Canada to recruit international workers when they cannot find suitable local talent. Selected candidates had professional backgrounds in sectors such as:
- Health care
- Education and social services
- Construction trades
- Transportation
- Manufacturing
- Professional occupations
The program is designed to support labour market needs across the Atlantic region, including:
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
- Newfoundland and Labrador
To qualify for the program, applicants must typically:
- Obtain a job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada
- Meet minimum language requirements
- Demonstrate relevant work experience or education, depending on the job
- Receive a provincial endorsement confirming their employment and settlement plans
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 |
Growing Demand for Skilled Immigrants in New Brunswick
The latest round of invitations highlights the continued effort by New Brunswick to attract skilled workers and graduates who can support the province’s labour market and population growth. By targeting candidates with experience in priority sectors and strengthening Francophone immigration, the province aims to address workforce shortages while supporting long-term economic development.
As immigration targets continue to rise across Canada, provincial programs such as the NBPNP and the Atlantic Immigration Program are expected to remain key pathways for skilled foreign workers seeking permanent residence in the country.
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