New Brunswick Issues First PNP Invitations of 2026

New Brunswick has officially opened its 2026 immigration calendar by conducting its first Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) selection rounds of the year. Between January 13 and January 15, the province invited hundreds of candidates with established provincial connections, reinforcing its focus on retaining talent already contributing to the local economy and Francophone communities.

A total of 379 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued across three major immigration streams, marking a strong start to provincial nominations in 2026.

Also Read First New Brunswick PNP Draw of 2026 Invites 379 Candidates

Overview of the First NB PNP Draw of 2026

The latest selection rounds targeted candidates who had submitted their Expressions of Interest (EOIs) before January 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. AST. All selected applicants were required to demonstrate meaningful ties to New Brunswick, such as local work experience, education, or Francophone connections.

The invitations were distributed across the following streams:

• New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
  
• New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream
  
• New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
  

Each stream addressed different labour market and demographic priorities within the province.

Top Stories

• British Columbia Adjusts Immigration Costs for Skilled Foreign Workers
• Canadian Government Expands Benefit Program, Offering Hundreds of Dollars to Eligible Newcomers
• Canada Set to Revamp LMIA-Exempt Work Permits in 2026: Key Policy Shifts Ahead
• Alberta Reveals Immigration Focus for 2026 as Provincial Nominations Increase
• Canada Issues 6,000 PR Invitations in New CEC Express Entry Draw

Skilled Worker Stream Dominates Invitations

The New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream accounted for the majority of invitations, with 244 ITAs, representing approximately 64% of all selections.

Key Pathways Targeted

The province focused on two specific pathways under this stream:

1. New Brunswick Experience Pathway
Candidates selected under this category were required to:

• Have lived in New Brunswick for at least six months prior to submitting an EOI
  
• Be employed full-time in a non-seasonal role with a New Brunswick employer
  
• Hold a minimum of six months of work experience with the supporting employer
  

All occupational sectors were considered, highlighting the province’s broad workforce needs.

2. New Brunswick Graduates Pathway
This pathway prioritised international graduates who:

• Completed a PGWP-eligible program at a designated learning institution in New Brunswick
  
• Were employed full-time, or had a valid job offer, from a provincial employer in a non-seasonal position
  

The strong emphasis on locally trained graduates signals New Brunswick’s intent to retain international students who have already integrated into the province.

Strategic Initiative Stream Returns After a Yearlong Pause

In a notable development, New Brunswick resumed selections under the Strategic Initiative Stream, issuing 115 ITAs through the Francophone Priorities pathway.

This was the first draw under this stream in over a year, as it had been paused throughout 2025 due to a large inventory of EOIs. Its reopening in 2026 underscores renewed efforts to strengthen Francophone immigration outside Quebec.

Who Was Eligible?

Candidates needed to meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Previous residence in New Brunswick combined with completion of a minimum one-year, in-person program at Université de Moncton or the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB), or
  
• Receipt of a formal Letter of Interest from Immigration New Brunswick
  

All occupational sectors were eligible, provided candidates met French-language and connection requirements.

Express Entry Stream Targets Local Workers

The New Brunswick Express Entry Stream issued 20 invitations under the Employment in New Brunswick pathway, focusing on skilled workers already active in the provincial labour market.

Eligibility Highlights

Selected candidates were required to:

• Have lived in New Brunswick for at least 12 months
  
• Be employed full-time in a non-seasonal TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation
  
• Hold at least one year of continuous full-time work experience in the province
  

Successful applicants who receive a provincial nomination through this stream gain 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, significantly improving their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence at the federal level.

Related Stories

• New Brunswick Issues First PNP Invitations of 2026
• New Brunswick Restarts Draws While Manitoba Targets Skilled Workers at Home and Abroad
• New Brunswick Conducts Multiple PNP Draws in June, Inviting Over 600 Immigration Candidates
• New Brunswick Increases Its Immigration Capacity for 2025
• Newfoundland and Labrador Unveils New Immigration Selection System as New Brunswick Conducts Occupation-Specific Draws

What This Draw Signals for 2026

New Brunswick’s first PNP draw of 2026 clearly reflects the province’s immigration strategy:

• Priority for candidates already living, working, or studying in New Brunswick
  
• Renewed commitment to Francophone immigration
  
• Continued alignment between provincial nominations and federal Express Entry
  

For skilled workers, graduates, and French-speaking candidates with New Brunswick ties, this draw sets a promising tone for immigration opportunities throughout the year.