New Brunswick Issues Invitations to Skilled Workers, French Speakers
New Brunswick Invites Skilled Workers and French Speakers in Latest PNP Draw
New Brunswick has taken another strategic step to strengthen its labor market and support population growth by issuing hundreds of provincial nomination invitations in early February 2026. Through the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), the province conducted multiple invitation rounds aimed at skilled workers already contributing to the local economy, French-speaking newcomers, and graduates with strong ties to the province.
More Than 300 Candidates Invited Across Two Immigration Streams
On February 2, 2026, Immigration New Brunswick held two selection rounds and issued a total of 326 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for provincial nomination. Invitations were distributed across two key NBPNP streams:
- New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
- New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream
Candidates were selected from the province’s Expression of Interest (EOI) pool, which included individuals already working in New Brunswick, French-speaking applicants, eligible graduates, and those who had received official interest from the province.
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.
Express Entry Stream Leads Invitation Numbers
Employment in New Brunswick Pathway – Key Results
- Invitations issued: 166
- Occupations selected: Multiple sectors
Core Requirements for This Pathway
- Be employed full-time in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation with a New Brunswick employer
- Have completed at least 12 months of work experience in the province within eligible TEER categories
- Hold valid Canadian work authorization during their employment period
- Have resided in New Brunswick continuously for the past year
Province Announces Sector-Specific Change
This change signals a shift toward addressing shortages in other high-demand occupations while managing application volumes more strategically.
Strategic Initiative Stream Prioritizes Francophone Immigration
The New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream issued 160 invitations, all directed toward French-speaking candidates. This stream supports the province’s goal of increasing Francophone immigration and strengthening bilingual communities.
Language Requirement Across Francophone Pathways
All applicants invited under Francophone-focused pathways must demonstrate a minimum NCLC level 5 in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Francophone Priorities Pathway: Who Was Selected?
- Completed an in-person post-secondary program of at least one year at the Université de Moncton or Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB) while residing in the province
- Received a Letter of Interest directly from Immigration New Brunswick
This pathway continues to serve as a bridge for Francophone graduates and individuals with strong provincial connections.
Francophone Workers Pathway Supports Employment-Based Settlement
- Have lived in New Brunswick for a minimum of six months
- Have obtained a job offer through a government-led recruitment mission organized by the province
This pathway helps employers retain bilingual talent while supporting long-term settlement outcomes.
What This Means for Future NBPNP Candidates
- Strong preference for candidates with in-province work experience
- Continued emphasis on Francophone immigration
- Increasing selectivity by occupation and sector
- Focus on applicants with clear settlement potential
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
As the year progresses, additional draws are expected, potentially with expanded invitation numbers depending on labour demand and provincial immigration targets.
Recent News
- New Brunswick Invites Skilled Workers and French Speakers in Latest PNP Draw
- Ontario Receives 14,119 Immigration Nominations for 2026
- Alberta Issues Over 1,100 Immigration Invitations in First AAIP Selections of 2026
- Canada Launches Historic Express Entry Draw Focused on French Speakers
- BC PNP Starts 2026 With 429 Skills Immigration Invitations
