New Brunswick invites 622 immigration candidates across four programs
The Government of New Brunswick has conducted a new series of immigration draws, inviting 622 candidates through the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). The draws took place between March 3 and March 6, 2026, targeting applicants across multiple occupational sectors.
The invitations were distributed among three NBPNP streams and the AIP, reflecting the province’s continued efforts to attract skilled workers and Francophone professionals to meet labour market needs.
- Draws held between March 3 and March 6, 2026
- Total of 622 invitations issued
- Selections made under NBPNP and AIP programs
- Majority of invitations under the Skilled Worker Stream
- Occupations targeted include health care, education, and construction
- EOIs considered up to March 2, 2026 (11:59 p.m. AST)
Overview of the March 2026 draws
According to the province, candidates were selected through the New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream, Strategic Initiative Stream, Express Entry Stream, and the Atlantic Immigration Program. The cut-off for all Expressions of Interest was set at March 2, 2026.
Approximately 45 percent of invitations were issued under the Skilled Worker Stream, representing the largest share among all categories.
New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
The Skilled Worker Stream focuses on foreign nationals who are currently employed in New Brunswick or hold valid job offers from eligible employers. Invitations under this stream were issued through two pathways: the New Brunswick Experience and the New Brunswick Graduates pathways. Together, these accounted for 279 invitations.
Targeted occupations included health care, education, social and community services, construction trades, and professional occupations. Candidates generally require a full-time, non-seasonal job offer, relevant work experience, and language proficiency consistent with program standards.
New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream
The Strategic Initiative Stream invited 189 Francophone candidates through two pathways—Francophone Workers in New Brunswick and New Brunswick Francophone Priorities. This stream is designed to strengthen the province’s Francophone communities by attracting French-speaking professionals across various industries.
Unlike other NBPNP streams, invitations under the Strategic Initiative were open to candidates from all occupational sectors.
New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
The Express Entry Stream, aligned with the federal immigration system, accounted for 29 invitations—around 4 percent of the total. Selected candidates were employed in sectors such as health care, education, social and community services, and construction trades.
To qualify under the Employment in New Brunswick pathway, applicants must have lived and worked in the province for at least 12 months in a skilled, non-seasonal occupation. Those who obtain a provincial nomination through this stream receive 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points under the federal system.
Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program contributed 125 invitations in this draw series. Candidates were prioritized based on occupations in health care, education, construction trades, professional services, transportation, and manufacturing.
The AIP operates across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. It enables designated employers to hire skilled foreign workers and international graduates to fill labour shortages in Atlantic Canada.
Eligibility criteria include a job offer from a designated employer, minimum language proficiency, and sufficient work experience or education relevant to the job. Applicants must also secure a provincial endorsement where they intend to work and reside.
Program background and national context
The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) forms part of Canada’s broader system for attracting skilled workers to provinces facing demographic and labour market challenges. Similar initiatives operate in other provinces, including the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), which also uses points-based selection to identify candidates with local ties or in-demand skills.
Through these programs, participating provinces can nominate eligible foreign nationals for Canadian permanent residence, working in coordination with the federal government to streamline processing for provincial nominees.
Public relevance
The March 2026 draws reflect New Brunswick’s ongoing strategy to support economic growth through targeted immigration, particularly in essential sectors such as health care and education. The inclusion of Francophone pathways continues to align with the province’s goal of maintaining and expanding its bilingual workforce.
Further updates on upcoming draws and nomination trends are expected to be released by the provincial government as part of regular reporting on immigration outcomes.
For continued updates on provincial and national immigration developments, readers can explore related coverage across Canada’s nominee and regional immigration programs.