New Brunswick issues 143 immigration invitations across two programs
New Brunswick conducted provincial immigration draws between March 30 and April 1, 2026, inviting candidates in key sectors including healthcare, information technology, transportation, and manufacturing.
A total of 143 invitations were issued through the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), reflecting ongoing labour market priorities in the province.
The selection rounds mark the first invitations issued by the province in more than a month, following earlier draws held in early March.
- 143 total invitations issued across two immigration pathways
- Draws took place between March 30 and April 1, 2026
- Healthcare and IT candidates targeted under Express Entry
- Transportation and manufacturing sectors prioritized under AIP
- Previous draw in early March issued 622 invitations
Breakdown of invitations by program
Of the 143 invitations issued, 25 were allocated through the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream, while the remaining 118 were issued under the Atlantic Immigration Program.
The Express Entry Stream draw focused on candidates under the Employment in New Brunswick pathway, particularly those working in healthcare and IT occupations within the province.
The AIP draw targeted individuals with job offers in transportation and manufacturing occupations, sectors identified as experiencing labour shortages.
Application deadlines and selection criteria
Eligibility for the Express Entry Stream draw required candidates to have submitted an Expression of Interest profile before March 29, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time.
For the AIP selection, endorsement applications needed to be submitted before March 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time to be considered.
Only candidates meeting these submission timelines and program requirements were included in the selection pools for the draws.
Context from previous New Brunswick draws
The late March and early April draws follow a larger round of invitations held between March 3 and March 6, 2026, during which 622 invitations were issued across multiple streams.
That earlier round included additional pathways such as the Skilled Worker Stream and the Strategic Initiative Stream, indicating broader selection activity at the time.
By comparison, the most recent draws were more targeted, focusing on specific sectors aligned with current workforce needs.
Overview of the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
The New Brunswick Express Entry Stream operates in alignment with the federal Express Entry system, which manages applications for permanent residence in several economic immigration categories.
This stream is intended for skilled foreign nationals who maintain an active Express Entry profile and meet provincial eligibility requirements.
Within this stream, the Employment in New Brunswick pathway prioritizes individuals already residing and working full-time in the province in skilled, non-seasonal roles.
Candidates who receive a provincial nomination through this pathway are awarded an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.
These additional points significantly affect ranking within the federal system and typically result in an invitation to apply for permanent residence from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Atlantic Immigration Program structure and updates
The Atlantic Immigration Program is a joint federal-provincial initiative designed to help employers in Atlantic Canada recruit foreign workers and international graduates for positions that cannot be filled locally.
Unlike Express Entry-linked pathways, the AIP does not require candidates to have a CRS score. Instead, eligibility is based on securing a qualifying job offer from a designated employer in the province.
In February 2026, New Brunswick introduced changes to how AIP candidates are selected, shifting to a pool-based system for endorsement applications.
Under this system, applicants are placed into a pool and selected through scheduled draws based on labour market priorities rather than on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applications submitted to the AIP pool remain valid for up to 365 days, allowing candidates to remain eligible for selection over an extended period.
Once a candidate receives a provincial endorsement through the AIP, they can proceed to apply for permanent residence with the federal government.
Labour market focus of recent draws
The sectors targeted in the latest draws—healthcare, IT, transportation, and manufacturing—align with ongoing workforce demands identified by the province.
Healthcare and IT occupations continue to be prioritized due to persistent staffing needs and technological development across public and private sectors.
Transportation and manufacturing roles have also remained in focus, reflecting supply chain requirements and industrial activity in the region.
The targeted nature of selections indicates a continued emphasis on addressing specific economic needs through immigration programs.
Ongoing provincial immigration activity
New Brunswick continues to use both Express Entry-aligned pathways and employer-driven programs to manage immigration intake according to labour market priorities.
The combination of these programs enables the province to select candidates with varying profiles, including those already working locally and those recruited directly by employers.
Further updates on provincial draws and immigration program changes are typically released periodically as selection rounds continue throughout the year.
Readers can follow ongoing coverage of Canadian immigration developments to stay informed about future draws and program updates.