Home > Permanent Residence > Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) > New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) > NBPNP - NB Express Entry stream
The guide below takes a deep look into one of the streams of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), the NB Express Entry (NBEE) stream. The guide will go through an overview of the stream, its eligibility requirements, how it works, the documentation needed, its cost and processing times.
Overview of the NB Express Entry stream
This stream is aligned with Express Entry, and if nominated, a candidate will receive an additional 600 CRS points in their Express Entry profile, thus guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply. With Express Entry, candidates can take advantage of the 6-month average processing times of applications.
The NBEE stream has minimum eligibility requirements, however, the NBPNP does not send Invitations to Apply to every candidate that meets these minimum criteria.
The NBEE stream has minimum eligibility requirements, however, the NBPNP does not send Invitations to Apply to every candidate that meets these minimum criteria.
Eligibility Requirements
There are 7 main categories of eligibility requirements that we will summarize below. You may be eligible to the NB Express Entry (NBEE) stream if you satisfy to all the requirements below:
1. Age:
You must be between 19 et 55 years old to be eligible when submitting a complete application.
2. Language proficiency:
You must demonstrate you meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) requirements for each language skill, either in French or in English, which is CLB7 for the first official language.
3. Education:
You are considered eligible to the stream if you have at least a Canadian secondary (high school) diploma or foreign equivalent. If the educational credential is from a foreign (non-Canadian) institution or authority, you must also submit an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) issued by an approved provider.
4. Intent to reside in New Brunswick:
To establish intent, you may be asked to demonstrate your attachment to New Brunswick, that may include, but are not limited to:
5. Eligible connection to New Brunswick:
To be eligible to the NBEE stream, you need to demonstrate an eligible connection to the province. You must meet one of the three connections below:
Starting March 1, 2024, the following NOCs will not be accepted:
1. Age:
You must be between 19 et 55 years old to be eligible when submitting a complete application.
2. Language proficiency:
You must demonstrate you meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) requirements for each language skill, either in French or in English, which is CLB7 for the first official language.
3. Education:
You are considered eligible to the stream if you have at least a Canadian secondary (high school) diploma or foreign equivalent. If the educational credential is from a foreign (non-Canadian) institution or authority, you must also submit an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) issued by an approved provider.
4. Intent to reside in New Brunswick:
To establish intent, you may be asked to demonstrate your attachment to New Brunswick, that may include, but are not limited to:
- description of any actions taken to permanently settle in New Brunswick;
- prior or current employment/studies in New Brunswick;
- employment search details;
- community involvement;
- ability to support yourself in New Brunswick;
- family ties and other social relationships and connections;
- details of prior visits to Canada; and
- your connection to other jurisdictions in Canada.
5. Eligible connection to New Brunswick:
To be eligible to the NBEE stream, you need to demonstrate an eligible connection to the province. You must meet one of the three connections below:
- NB Employment Connection:
- Currently residing in New Brunswick for at least 6 months and currently working in the province or have received a job offer from a New Brunswick employer.
Starting March 1, 2024, the following NOCs will not be accepted:
- 62010 – Retail Sales Supervisors
- 60030 – Restaurant and food service managers
- 62020 – Food Service Supervisors
- 63200 – Cooks
- NB Student Connection:
- Be an international student from any designated learning institution (DLI) located in New Brunswick from a program that is eligible for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) (minimum length of one-year), and
- (i) have completed your studies in the past six months, are currently living in the province and are actively seeking employment in the province, OR
- (ii) are about to complete studies - For graduate students (Masters and PhD) enrolled in thesis-based programs, you may apply once your thesis has been officially submitted for evaluation.
- Be an international student from any designated learning institution (DLI) located in New Brunswick from a program that is eligible for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) (minimum length of one-year), and
- NB Prorities Connection:
- You may be selected directly from the federal Express Entry pool of candidates (by receiving a Letter of Interest) if you meet one of New Brunswick's priorities:
- You (or your spouse) have a close family member who has been residing in New Brunswick as a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident for at least 12 months.
- You have attended an information session (International recruitment event) with the province within the last 12 months.
- You are francophone and your primary occupation is in a sector in demand in New Brunswick.
- You may be selected directly from the federal Express Entry pool of candidates (by receiving a Letter of Interest) if you meet one of New Brunswick's priorities:
NBPNP information sessions and recruitment events
The NBPNP holds information sessions on their PNP in select countries, where you need to register to assist in person. Some eligible candidates are chosen to receive a notification of interest, meaning you could apply to the province for nomination. With the epidemic, information sessions are now also held online.
There is no assurance that you will receive a notification of interest. Not all registered candidates will receive an invitation to attend the session and not all invitees attending a session will receive a notification of interest from the NBPNP. However, attending a session may boost your likelihood of getting a notification of interest, but isn't a guarantee.
The following information sessions and recruitment event are currently open:
For more information on NBPNP information sessions and recruitment events, you can consult this list.
There is no assurance that you will receive a notification of interest. Not all registered candidates will receive an invitation to attend the session and not all invitees attending a session will receive a notification of interest from the NBPNP. However, attending a session may boost your likelihood of getting a notification of interest, but isn't a guarantee.
The following information sessions and recruitment event are currently open:
For more information on NBPNP information sessions and recruitment events, you can consult this list.
6. Settlement funds requirements:
You must show that you have sufficient funds to successfully establish yourself and your family in New Brunswick. The amount needed and types of funds accepted can be found in the settlement funds guide.
7. Selection factors 100-point assessment grid:
To be eligible to the NBEE stream, you need to score a minimum of 67 points out of a 100 in the following point assessment grid.
Scoring 67 points does not necessarily mean that you will receive an invitation to apply from the NBPNP. The province will issue invitations to candidates based on their provincial labour-market needs.
Remember that for each factor you will be claiming points for, you will have to provide supporting documents to prove you satisfy the criteria of the factor.
100-point assessment grid | Maximum Points |
---|---|
Factor 1 - Age | 12 |
Factor 2 - Official languages | 28 |
Factor 3 - Education | 25 |
Factor 4 - Work experience | 15 |
Factor 5 - Employment in New Brunswick | 10 |
Factor 6 - Adaptability | 10 |
Total | 100 |
Minimum required | 67 |
Factor 1 - Age (Max 12 points):
You can score up to 12 points in this factor. You must be between 22 et 55 years old to be eligible. Your age taken into consideration is the one as of the day that a complete application is submitted to the NBPNP (post receiving the invitation to apply).
Factor 1 - Age | Points |
---|---|
Under 22 years old | Not eligible |
22 to 35 years old | 12 |
36 years old | 11 |
37 years old | 10 |
38 years old | 9 |
39 years old | 8 |
40 years old | 7 |
41 years old | 6 |
42 years old | 5 |
43 years old | 4 |
44 years old | 3 |
45 years old | 3 |
46 years old | 1 |
47 years old and older | Not eligible |
Factor 2 - Official languages (Max 28 points):
You must demonstrate you meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) requirements for each language skill, either in French or in English, which is CLB7 for the first official language. You can get a maximum of 24 points.
If you have test results for a second official language, you can get 4 additional points if you score CLB5 or more on all 4 language abilities (more about approved language tests here).
Factor 2 - Official languages | Writing | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Max points | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First official language | CLB9 or higher | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 24 | ||||
CLB8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | ||||||
CLB7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | ||||||
CLB6 or less in one of the four language abilities | Not eligible | |||||||||
Second official language | CLB5 or higher in all language abilities | 4 |
Factor 3 - Education (Max 25 points):
You must submit a completed Canadian secondary or post-secondary educational credential, or if the educational credential is from a foreign (non-Canadian) institution or authority, you must also submit an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) issued by an approved provider. You can score up to 25 points in this factor.
You are considered ineligible to the stream if you don't have at least a Canadian secondary (high school) diploma or foreign equivalent.
Factor 3 - Education (Max 25 points):
You must submit a completed Canadian secondary or post-secondary educational credential, or if the educational credential is from a foreign (non-Canadian) institution or authority, you must also submit an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) issued by an approved provider. You can score up to 25 points in this factor.
You are considered ineligible to the stream if you don't have at least a Canadian secondary (high school) diploma or foreign equivalent.
Factor 3 - Education | Points |
---|---|
Doctoral (PhD) degree | 25 |
Master's degree OR professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession (medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine, or pharmacy) | 23 |
Two or more credentials, with a least one for a program of three years or more | 22 |
Bachelor's degree OR Post-secondary credential of at least three years | 21 |
Post-secondary credential of two years | 19 |
Post-secondary credential of one year | 15 |
Secondary diploma (high school graduation) | 5 |
Less than Secondary diploma (high school graduation) | Not eligible |
Factor 4 - Work Experience (Max 15 points):
To be eligible to this stream, you must demonstrate that you have work experience in NOC TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of at least one continuous year (1,560 hours full-time or equivalent part-time) in the past 10 years. You can score a maximum of 15 points.
Factor 4 - Work Experience | Points |
---|---|
6 years or more | 15 |
4 to 5 years | 13 |
2 to 3 years | 11 |
1 year | 9 |
Less than 1 year | Not eligible |
Factor 5 - Employment in New Brunswick (Max 10 points):
You can score up to 10 points if you are currently working in New Brunswick and satisfy the conditions below.
Factor 5 - Employment in New Brunswick | Points |
---|---|
You currently work in New Brunswick on a work permit and you meet all of the following conditions:
- IRCC issued your work permit based on a positive LMIA in an occupation listed under NOC TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3, - You are working for the New Brunswick employer named on your work permit, and - Your work permit is valid when you apply. OR You currently work in New Brunswick on a work permit and you meet all of the following conditions: - You currently work in New Brunswick in a job that is exempt from the LMIA requirement due to (i) an international agreement, (ii) a significant benefit to Canadian interests, or (iii) a federal-provincial agreement, - You are working for the New Brunswick employer named on your work permit, - Your work permit is valid when you apply, and - You must have been working for the New Brunswick employer for at least one year, with continuous, full-time or part-time equivalent work. | 10 |
Factor 6 - Adaptability (Max 10 points)
You can earn a maximum of 10 points in this factor.
Factor 6 - Adaptability | Points |
---|---|
Have at least one year of full-time work in New Brunswick in a NOC TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3 job | 10 |
Have at least two academic years of full-time study (in a program at least two years long) at a secondary or post-secondary school in New Brunswick | 5 |
Have an eligible job offer | 5 |
You or your spouse/partner have a relative, permanent resident or Canadian citizen, residing in New Brunswick in the 12 months preceding submission of the application. The relative can be a (i) parent, (ii) grandparent, (iii) child of a parent (sibling), (iv) child of a grandparent (uncle or aunt), (v) grandchild of a parent (nephew or niece), or (vi) step-family members or in-laws of the same relationships. | 5 |
Spouse/partner has a language level in either English or French at CLB4 or higher in all 4 language abilities | 5 |
Spouse/partner has at least one year of full-time work in New Brunswick | 5 |
Spouse or common-law partner completed at least two academic years of full-time study (in a program at least two years long) at a secondary or post-secondary school in New Brunswick | 5 |
Application Process Summary
For a better understanding of the process, below is a list of the steps involved in obtaining Permanent Residence through the NB Express Entry (NBEE) stream. Candidates must:
You can check out our 10-step guide for Express Entry for more detailed information and advice.
- Meet the eligibility requirements of the federal FSW, FST, or CEC programs.
- Generate their Express Entry profile, and specify their interest in the province by selecting "New Brunswick" or “All Provinces and Territories”.
- Qualify for the NBPNP stream eligibility requirements and submit an Expression of Interest on the INB portal. For the NB Occupations in Demand Connection, you will need to receive a Letter of Interest in your Express Entry profile before submitting an Expressing of Interest on the INB Profile.
- Receive an Invitation to Apply through their INB portal.
- Apply to the NBEE stream, maximum 45 days after receiving the invitation, by submitting their application through INB portal (filling in forms and uploading required documents).
- Accept the New Brunswick provincial nomination (after the NBPNP processes their application) within 30 days of receiving it on their Express Entry profile.
- Obtain an additional 600 CRS points in the Express Entry profile, and receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- Apply for permanent residence through your Express Entry profile.
You can check out our 10-step guide for Express Entry for more detailed information and advice.
Application Fees
The fee for this NB Express Entry stream is 250 CAD. It can only be paid by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Amex, INTERAC Online or Visa/Debit, and is non-refundable.
Processing Times
The NBPNP does not publish processing times information on the NB Express Entry stream.
Draw History
You can check out our awesome Live PNP Monitor to see the latest news and draw history on the NB Express Entry stream, as well as for all the other PNP streams.
Do I have to stay in the Province?
This is a tricky question and there are multiple situations that can happen. You can learn more about this subject on our dedicated article: Can I move to another province?
Does the Stream have In-Demand Jobs?
Some streams target specific NOC codes, meaning that if you have experience in those in-demand jobs, you either (i) have more chances to be invited or (ii) that you can be eligible to the stream.
In the case of the NB Express Entry stream, there is no in-demand occupation list. However, the NBPNP issues invitations to candidates based on their provincial labour-market needs.
In the case of the NB Express Entry stream, there is no in-demand occupation list. However, the NBPNP issues invitations to candidates based on their provincial labour-market needs.
You can find out about the other provinces' in-demand jobs in our in-demand NOC codes article.