New Brunswick issues 373 immigration invitations across multiple programs
New Brunswick conducted several immigration selection rounds between April 30 and May 3, 2026, issuing a combined total of 373 invitations to candidates across provincial and regional pathways.
The invitations were distributed through the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), reflecting continued activity in provincial nomination and employer-driven immigration streams.
The draws come amid recent policy changes affecting at least one NBPNP pathway, with new occupational restrictions taking effect immediately after the latest round.
- 373 total invitations issued between April 30 and May 3, 2026
- 200 invitations allocated through the Skilled Worker Stream
- 106 invitations issued under the Strategic Initiative Stream
- 17 invitations sent via the Express Entry Stream
- 50 invitations issued through the Atlantic Immigration Program
- Occupational restrictions introduced for one pathway starting May 4
Distribution of invitations across NBPNP streams
The majority of invitations were issued through three NBPNP streams: Skilled Worker, Strategic Initiative, and Express Entry. These pathways target different categories of candidates, including workers with job offers, French-speaking applicants, and individuals already in the federal Express Entry pool.
Across all draws, the Skilled Worker Stream accounted for the largest share of invitations, followed by the Strategic Initiative Stream, while the Express Entry Stream received a smaller allocation.
Skilled Worker Stream draws
The Skilled Worker Stream issued a total of 200 invitations over two draws held on May 1 and May 3. Candidates were selected through both the New Brunswick Experience pathway and the New Brunswick Graduates pathway.
The May 1 draw targeted individuals working in healthcare occupations, issuing 87 invitations. A subsequent draw on May 3 expanded eligibility to candidates across all occupational sectors, resulting in 113 additional invitations.
This second draw marked the final instance, for the time being, in which the New Brunswick Experience pathway considered applicants from all occupations.
Provincial authorities have announced that, starting May 4, invitations under this pathway will be restricted to specific sectors, namely healthcare, education, and construction trades. The change was attributed to limits on available nomination spaces.
The Skilled Worker Stream is intended for foreign nationals who are currently employed in the province or who have secured an offer from a qualifying New Brunswick employer.
Strategic Initiative Stream invitations
A total of 106 invitations were issued through the Strategic Initiative Stream. This stream focuses on French-speaking candidates who have demonstrated connections to the province.
Invitations were distributed across two pathways: Francophone Workers in New Brunswick and New Brunswick Francophone Priorities. Officials did not release a detailed breakdown of how invitations were divided between these two categories.
The stream forms part of broader provincial efforts to support francophone immigration and demographic objectives within New Brunswick.
Express Entry Stream results
The New Brunswick Express Entry Stream issued 17 invitations during the same selection period. This stream is aligned with the federal Express Entry system and allows provinces to nominate candidates already in the national pool.
Applicants selected under this pathway typically have established employment in New Brunswick and meet criteria tied to work experience and residency in the province.
A provincial nomination through this stream results in an additional 600 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System, which significantly alters a candidate’s ranking within federal selection rounds.
Atlantic Immigration Program draw
In a separate draw conducted on May 1, New Brunswick issued 50 invitations through the Atlantic Immigration Program. The selection focused on candidates employed in transportation, manufacturing, and construction-related occupations.
The AIP operates as an employer-driven pathway across the four Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
It is designed to support regional labour market needs by enabling designated employers to recruit foreign workers and international graduates.
Program structure and eligibility overview
Each of the immigration pathways involved in these draws follows distinct criteria tied to employment, language ability, and regional connection.
The Skilled Worker Stream requires candidates to have employment or a job offer from an eligible New Brunswick employer, along with relevant work experience.
The Strategic Initiative Stream targets French-speaking individuals and includes pathways for those already in the province or identified through recruitment priorities.
The Express Entry Stream is linked to the federal system and prioritizes candidates with existing ties to New Brunswick, including work experience and residency.
The Atlantic Immigration Program requires candidates to obtain job offers from designated employers and secure provincial endorsement before applying for permanent residence.
Recent policy changes affecting eligibility
A significant development accompanying these draws is the introduction of occupational limits under the New Brunswick Experience pathway.
Effective May 4, invitations through this pathway are restricted to candidates working in healthcare, education, and construction trades. The measure was introduced due to constraints on available provincial nominations.
The May 3 draw therefore represents the last round, for now, in which applicants from all occupational categories were considered under this specific pathway.
Such adjustments reflect ongoing management of provincial quotas and labour market priorities, which can influence the selection criteria applied in future rounds.
Processing and application context
Applicants selected through these programs may proceed to apply for permanent residence, subject to meeting all federal and provincial requirements.
Processing times vary by program. The Atlantic Immigration Program, for example, has recently reported federal processing timelines of approximately 40 months.
Eligible candidates under the AIP may be issued temporary work permits for up to two years while their permanent residence applications are being processed.
Provincial nomination streams, including those aligned with Express Entry, operate within federal immigration targets and allocation limits set annually.
Ongoing immigration activity in Atlantic Canada
The series of draws highlights continued use of both provincial and regional immigration programs to address labour shortages and demographic needs in Atlantic Canada.
New Brunswick remains an active participant in these initiatives, with multiple pathways designed to attract workers across different sectors and linguistic backgrounds.
The issuance of 373 invitations over a four-day period underscores the province’s ongoing role in selecting candidates through both employer-driven and nomination-based systems.
Further updates on provincial draws and program changes continue to shape immigration patterns across the region, particularly as occupational priorities evolve.
The May 3 selection round stands out as the final all-occupation intake under the New Brunswick Experience pathway before new sector-specific limits took effect.