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New Brunswick Conducts Major Immigration Draws, Invites 373 Candidates Through NBPNP and AIP
The province of New Brunswick has conducted a series of immigration draws under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), issuing a total of 373 invitations between April 30 and May 3, 2026.
The latest selection rounds targeted skilled workers, francophone candidates, international graduates and Express Entry applicants as New Brunswick continues addressing labour shortages across multiple industries.
The draws were conducted through the following immigration pathways:
- New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
- New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream
- New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
- Atlantic Immigration Program
Skilled Worker Stream Issued 200 Invitations
The New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream accounted for the highest number of invitations in the latest rounds.
A total of 200 candidates received invitations through:
- New Brunswick Experience pathway
- New Brunswick Graduates pathway
On May 1, the province invited 87 healthcare workers, highlighting Canada’s increasing demand for medical professionals and healthcare staff.
Another draw on May 3 issued 113 invitations to candidates from all occupational sectors.
This draw became significant because it was the final general-category invitation round before the province implemented restrictions on eligible occupations under the Experience pathway.
Beginning May 4, 2026, invitations under the New Brunswick Experience pathway are restricted to candidates working in:
- Healthcare
- Education
- Construction trades
Provincial authorities stated that the temporary restriction is necessary because of limited nomination allocation spaces available for 2026.
Francophone Candidates Targeted Through Strategic Initiative Stream
New Brunswick also invited 106 candidates through its Strategic Initiative Stream, which focuses on attracting French-speaking immigrants.
The invitations were issued under:
- Francophone Workers in New Brunswick
- New Brunswick Francophone Priorities
The province continues prioritizing francophone immigration to strengthen bilingual communities and address workforce demands.
Express Entry Candidates Receive Provincial Invitations
Through the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream, the province issued 17 invitations to skilled workers with active federal Express Entry profiles.
Successful candidates under this stream receive 600 additional CRS points, significantly improving their chances of receiving permanent residence invitations from the federal government.
To qualify, candidates generally must:
- Have lived in New Brunswick for at least 12 months
- Work full-time for a provincial employer
- Hold skilled non-seasonal employment
- Meet work experience requirements
Atlantic Immigration Program Targets Transportation and Construction Workers
New Brunswick also held a draw under the Atlantic Immigration Program on May 1, issuing 50 invitations.
The draw targeted workers employed in:
- Transportation
- Manufacturing
- Construction trades
The Atlantic Immigration Program helps employers across Atlantic Canada hire skilled foreign workers and international graduates for hard-to-fill labour positions.
The program operates in four Atlantic provinces and provides pathways toward Canadian permanent residence for eligible applicants.
Processing Times Remain a Challenge
Although the Atlantic Immigration Program remains popular among international applicants, current federal processing times are estimated at around 40 months.
Eligible applicants may still qualify for temporary work permits while their permanent residence applications are under processing.
Canada continues to rely heavily on provincial immigration programs to meet labour market demands and support long-term economic growth.