The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) launched its first set of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) of 2026 with a major selection round held between January 13–15, 2026, issuing a total of 379 invitations across three different immigration streams. All invited candidates share a connection or intention to settle in the province.
📊 2026 NBPNP Draw Results
In the January draw, New Brunswick issued 379 ITAs for provincial nomination under the following streams:
- New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
- New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
- New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream
The cut-off date for all Expressions of Interest (EOIs) in this series was January 12, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (AST).
👷♂️ New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
This was the largest slice of the draw — about 64 % of all invitations — and included:
- New Brunswick Experience pathway: 244 invitations
- New Brunswick Graduates pathway: (part of the Skilled Worker total)
📌 Who Qualifies
To be considered under this stream, candidates generally need to:
- Have lived 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 who supports their application.
- Have at least six months of work experience with the supporting employer.
📚 New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
This pathway targets foreign nationals in the federal Express Entry pool who also have employment ties to New Brunswick:
- 20 invitations were issued under the Employment in New Brunswick pathway.
📌 Key Requirements
To be invited, candidates must typically:
- Have lived in New Brunswick for the past 12 months.
- Be currently working full-time in a non-seasonal TEER 0-3 job with an eligible employer.
- Have been employed full-time for at least 12 months in an eligible occupation.
If nominated under this stream, candidates receive 600 extra Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points toward their Express Entry profile, which nearly guarantees a permanent residence invitation from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
🗣️ New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream
This draw marked a significant return of the NBPNP’s Strategic Initiative Stream — especially targeting Francophone candidates:
- 115 invitations were issued under the Francophone priorities pathway.
📌 What This Means
This is the first Strategic Initiative draw in over a year, as the stream had been paused in 2025 after a sufficient inventory of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) was reached. Eligible candidates included French-speaking applicants with connections to the province — such as past residence, job offers, or completion of qualifying Francophone studies in New Brunswick.
🧠 Why This Matters
The NBPNP’s multi-stream draw shows New Brunswick’s continued effort to attract and nominate skilled workers, graduates, Express Entry candidates, and Francophone talent — all aligned with provincial economic needs. With monthly or frequent draws, New Brunswick remains an active PNP destination for those aiming for Canada PR with strong provincial ties.
📍 Summary
Here’s a quick breakdown of New Brunswick’s first PNP draw of 2026:
| Stream | Invitations Issued |
|---|---|
| New Brunswick Skilled Worker | 244+ |
| New Brunswick Express Entry | 20 |
| New Brunswick Strategic Initiative (Francophone) | 115 |
| Total | 379 ITAs |
