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New Brunswick PNP Conducts First Draw of 2026, Inviting Candidates Across Three Streams
The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) has released its first Invitations to Apply (ITAs) of 2026, following a series of draws held between January 13 and January 15. Candidates were invited under three immigration streams, all of which require applicants to demonstrate established ties to the province.
Draw Summary
In this round of selections, New Brunswick issued a total of 379 ITAs for provincial nomination. Invitations were distributed across the following streams:
- New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
- New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream
- New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
The cut-off date for submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) was January 12 at 11:59 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time.
New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
The Skilled Worker Stream accounted for the majority of invitations issued in this draw, representing approximately 64% of the total ITAs.
Under the New Brunswick Experience pathway, 244 invitations were issued across all occupational sectors. This pathway targets foreign nationals who are currently employed in the province and supported by a New Brunswick employer.
To be eligible under this pathway, candidates were required to:
- Have resided in New Brunswick for at least six months prior to submitting an EOI
- Be working full-time in a non-seasonal position for a New Brunswick employer
- Have accumulated at least six months of work experience with the supporting employer
Candidates selected through the New Brunswick Graduates pathway were required to have completed a Post-Graduation Work Permit–eligible program at a designated learning institution in the province and hold a full-time, non-seasonal job or job offer from a New Brunswick employer.
New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream
Under the New Brunswick Francophone Priorities pathway, 115 invitations were issued across all occupational categories.
This draw marked the first selection under the Strategic Initiative Stream in over a year. The stream had remained closed throughout 2025 after Immigration New Brunswick paused the intake of new EOIs due to sufficient inventory levels.
The Strategic Initiative Stream targets French-speaking candidates with qualifying connections to New Brunswick, including work experience, education, or employment in the province.
To be selected under this pathway, candidates were required to meet at least one of the following conditions:
- Previous residence in New Brunswick combined with completion of a minimum one-year, in-person program at Université de Moncton or the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB)
- Receipt of a Letter of Interest from Immigration New Brunswick
New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
The Employment in New Brunswick pathway under the Express Entry Stream issued 20 invitations across all sectors.
This stream is aligned with the federal Express Entry system and is intended for skilled workers already residing and working in the province.
Eligibility requirements included:
- Residence in New Brunswick for the past 12 months
- Full-time, non-seasonal employment in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation
- At least 12 months of full-time work experience in New Brunswick
Candidates who receive a provincial nomination through this stream may obtain 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, significantly increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence.