New Brunswick conducted a series of immigration draws between April 30 and May 3, 2026, issuing a total of 373 invitations through the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
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Invitations were distributed across three NBPNP streams and the AIP, targeting candidates in a range of occupational sectors and pathways.
The May 3 draw was especially notable because it marked the final round, for now, in which the New Brunswick Experience pathway accepted candidates from all occupational categories. Beginning May 4, the province restricted invitations under this pathway to applicants working in healthcare, education, and construction trades only, until further notice.
The latest rounds included invitations under the following immigration pathways:
- New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
- New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream
- New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
Skilled Worker Stream
New Brunswick held two separate draws under the Skilled Worker Stream, inviting candidates through:
- The New Brunswick Experience pathway; and
- The New Brunswick Graduates pathway.
The first draw took place on May 1 and focused exclusively on healthcare occupations. A second draw followed on May 3, welcoming candidates from all sectors.
| Draw Date | Pathways | Occupational Categories Selected | Invitations Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2026 | New Brunswick Experience; New Brunswick Graduates | Healthcare | 87 |
| May 3, 2026 | New Brunswick Experience; New Brunswick Graduates | All sectors | 113 |
Together, the Skilled Worker Stream accounted for 200 invitations, making it the largest selection category during this round of invitations.
These draws are significant because New Brunswick recently confirmed that, starting May 4, new invitations under the New Brunswick Experience pathway would only be issued to candidates working in healthcare, education, or construction trades occupations. The restriction will remain in place “until further notice” due to limited nomination allocations available under the stream.
The New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream is intended for foreign nationals currently employed by, or holding a valid job offer from, an eligible employer in the province.
New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream
The province also issued 106 invitations through the Strategic Initiative Stream across all sectors.
Candidates were selected through the following pathways:
- Francophone Workers in New Brunswick; and
- New Brunswick Francophone Priorities.
New Brunswick did not provide a breakdown of invitations issued under each pathway.
This stream is designed for French-speaking foreign nationals who have established ties to the province and intend to settle permanently in New Brunswick.
New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
A further 17 invitations were issued through the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream, which operates in alignment with the federal Express Entry system.
The stream targets skilled foreign workers who already have an active Express Entry profile. Under the Employment in New Brunswick pathway, applicants are generally required to:
- Have lived in New Brunswick for at least 12 months;
- Be employed full-time in a skilled, non-seasonal role with a New Brunswick employer; and
- Have at least one year of eligible work experience in the province.
Candidates who secure a provincial nomination through this stream receive an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, greatly improving their chances of receiving an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Atlantic Immigration Program
On May 1, New Brunswick also conducted a draw under the Atlantic Immigration Program, issuing 50 invitations to candidates working in transportation, manufacturing, and construction trades occupations.
The AIP is an employer-driven immigration pathway that helps employers across Atlantic Canada recruit skilled foreign workers and international graduates. The program is available in:
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
- Newfoundland and Labrador
To qualify for the AIP, candidates must:
- Obtain a job offer from a designated Atlantic Canadian employer;
- Meet language requirements based on the job’s TEER category;
- Demonstrate relevant work experience, unless exempt as certain international graduates;
- Meet education requirements tied to the position; and
- Receive provincial endorsement from the province where they intend to work and settle.
The program remains open to candidates outside Canada who may not have prior Canadian work experience. However, current federal processing times for AIP permanent residence applications are estimated at approximately 40 months.
Eligible applicants may also qualify for a temporary two-year work permit while waiting for their permanent residence application to be finalized.
