New Brunswick issued a total of 750 provincial immigration invitations between July 16 and July 22, 2026. The invitations were distributed through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and three streams of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP): Skilled Worker, Strategic Initiative, and Express Entry.
Draw breakdown
| Stream | Dates | Pathways | Occupational categories (selected) | Invitations issued |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | July 16‑18 (two rounds) | New Brunswick Experience, New Brunswick Priorities, New Brunswick Graduates | Construction trades, Health care, Education & social services, Manufacturing, Other trades, Professional & IT, Sales & services, Transportation | 267 |
| Strategic Initiative | July 16 (single round) | Francophone Workers in NB, NB Francophone Priorities | Education & social services, Food & accommodation, Health care, Manufacturing, Professional & IT, Sales & services, Transportation | 254 |
| Express Entry | July 16 (single round) | Employment in NB | Education & social services, Health care, Manufacturing, Professional & IT, Sales & services, Transportation | 115 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | July 22 (single round) | – | Construction trades, Education & social services, Health care, Manufacturing, Other trades, Professional & IT, Sales & services, Transportation | 114 |
| Total | – | – | – | 750 |
Key eligibility criteria
- New Brunswick Experience pathway (Skilled Worker): Applicants must be living and working in New Brunswick with at least six months of full‑time employment for an eligible employer.
- New Brunswick Priorities pathway (Skilled Worker): Requires a full‑time job offer in a priority NOC and at least one year of related work experience.
- New Brunswick Graduates pathway (Skilled Worker): Targets international graduates of a New Brunswick post‑secondary program who hold a post‑graduation work permit and are employed full‑time (or have a job offer) with an eligible local employer.
- Francophone Workers in NB (Strategic Initiative): French‑speaking foreign nationals working full‑time for an eligible New Brunswick employer (or with a job offer) who have lived in the province for at least six months, or who obtained the job through a special recruitment mission.
- NB Francophone Priorities pathway (Strategic Initiative): French‑speaking candidates with a priority connection to the province, such as francophone graduates of eligible provincial programs (minimum one‑year duration) or individuals invited by Immigration New Brunswick.
- Employment in NB pathway (Express Entry): Express Entry candidates who have lived in New Brunswick for at least 12 months and worked full‑time in a TEER 0‑3 occupation during that period.
- Atlantic Immigration Program: Employer‑driven route requiring a qualifying job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces, provincial endorsement, and compliance with language, work‑experience, education, and settlement‑fund requirements.
Cut‑off dates
- Skilled Worker draws:
- July 16‑18 draw – applications submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. AST on July 15, 2026.
- July 18 draw – applications submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. AST on July 17, 2026.
- Strategic Initiative draw: Applications due by 11:59 p.m. AST on July 15, 2026.
- Express Entry draw: Applications due by 11:59 p.m. AST on July 15, 2026.
- AIP draw: Applications due by 11:59 p.m. AST on July 21, 2026.
Practical considerations
- Occupational focus: Health‑care workers were included in every draw, reflecting ongoing demand in that sector. Other occupations varied by stream, offering opportunities across construction, manufacturing, professional services, IT, and transportation.
- Pathway selection: Candidates should assess which pathway aligns with their current status—whether they are already residing and employed in New Brunswick, hold a recent provincial graduate credential, or meet the specific francophone or Express Entry criteria.
- Documentation: Successful applicants must be prepared to provide proof of employment, relevant work experience, language proficiency (where applicable), and, for AIP candidates, a designated employer’s endorsement.
- Timeline: After receiving an invitation, candidates can apply for a provincial nomination (NBPNP) or a certificate of endorsement (AIP), which are then used to request permanent residence from the federal government. Processing times vary but typically follow the standard federal timelines for provincial nominations.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
