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Blog Details
New Brunswick Issues 678 Immigration Invitations: Opportunities for Skilled Workers and French-Speaking Candidates in Canada
Canada continues to offer immigration opportunities to skilled workers, international graduates and French-speaking candidates through its provincial immigration programmes. One of the latest developments is New Brunswick's selection of 678 candidates through the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) and Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) between August 10 and September 18, 2026.
These selections highlight the province's ongoing efforts to attract international talent to meet labour market demands across several important industries, including construction, manufacturing, education, information technology, transportation and community services.
For individuals planning to immigrate to Canada, this development brings attention to two important immigration pathways: the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program and the Atlantic Immigration Program. Both provide eligible foreign nationals with opportunities to pursue Canadian permanent residence, although their eligibility requirements and application procedures are different.
Whether you are currently working in Canada, have completed your studies in New Brunswick, are a French-speaking professional or are exploring immigration options from overseas, understanding these pathways can help you plan your next steps.
At I Can Help Immigration Services, we help individuals understand Canadian immigration pathways and navigate application requirements based on their individual circumstances.
New Brunswick Immigration Update: 678 Candidates Selected in 2026
Between August 10 and September 18, 2026, New Brunswick conducted multiple immigration selection rounds under its provincial and Atlantic immigration programmes.
A total of 678 candidates were selected across the following categories:
| Immigration Stream / Programme | Invitations or Selections |
|---|---|
| NBPNP Skilled Worker Stream and Express Entry Stream combined | 299 |
| Strategic Initiative Stream | 251 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 128 |
| Total | 678 |
The 299 candidates under the skilled worker and Express Entry categories included 197 selections under the Skilled Worker Stream and 102 under the Express Entry Stream.
The Strategic Initiative Stream focused on French-speaking candidates through its Francophone Workers in New Brunswick and New Brunswick Francophone Priorities pathways.
The Atlantic Immigration Program accounted for another 128 applications selected for processing.
These numbers demonstrate New Brunswick's focus on attracting candidates whose skills, work experience and professional backgrounds align with the province's economic and workforce requirements.
Source: New Brunswick government invitation and selection records and September 26, 2026 reporting by CIC News.
Which Occupations Were Prioritised by New Brunswick?
One of the important aspects of these immigration selections was the range of occupational categories considered by the province.
Rather than focusing on only one industry, New Brunswick included several sectors where employers require qualified workers.
The priority occupational categories included:
1. Construction and Other Trades
Construction continues to play an important role in infrastructure development, residential projects and commercial expansion.
Candidates working in construction and eligible trades may find opportunities through applicable immigration pathways, depending on their occupation, work experience and employer requirements.
2. Manufacturing
Manufacturing businesses require workers across production, operations, technical and industrial roles.
Individuals with relevant manufacturing experience may explore immigration options if their occupation meets the programme requirements.
3. Education and Social Services
Education and community services are important for supporting growing communities.
Candidates working in eligible education, social and community service occupations may find relevant opportunities depending on their qualifications and professional experience.
4. Professional Occupations and Information Technology
New Brunswick also considered professional and IT occupations.
This category may include eligible professionals working in technology, business-related functions and other recognised occupational groups.
5. Sales and Services
Sales and service occupations support businesses, customers and everyday economic activities.
Candidates should check whether their specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) code is included in the applicable programme requirements.
6. Transportation
Transportation workers support the movement of people and goods throughout the province.
Candidates with relevant experience may explore eligible opportunities in this sector.
Important: Being employed in one of these occupational categories does not automatically qualify someone for immigration. Eligibility depends on the specific occupation, NOC/TEER classification, work experience, education, language proficiency, employer requirements and the applicable immigration pathway.
What Is the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)?
The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program is a provincial immigration programme that allows the province to nominate eligible foreign nationals who can contribute to its economic and workforce needs.
Through different immigration streams, the province considers candidates with relevant work experience, educational qualifications, employment connections and other qualifying factors.
A provincial nomination can provide an important pathway towards Canadian permanent residence.
New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
The Skilled Worker Stream is designed for individuals who are employed in New Brunswick or have a qualifying full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an eligible New Brunswick employer.
Some of the general requirements include:
- Being at least 19 years old.
- Meeting the minimum language requirement of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in all four language abilities.
- Having support from an eligible New Brunswick employer.
- Meeting the applicable occupational and employment requirements.
The stream has different pathways, including:
New Brunswick Experience: This pathway is intended for eligible individuals already living and working in New Brunswick. Applicants generally need at least six months of full-time work experience with the supporting employer and must meet the other pathway requirements.
New Brunswick Graduates: This pathway is designed for eligible international graduates who completed a qualifying study programme at a designated learning institution in New Brunswick and have qualifying employment with an eligible employer.
New Brunswick Priority Occupations: This pathway has specific requirements, including a qualifying job offer resulting from a government-led recruitment mission.
The applicable requirements can change, so candidates should review the latest provincial application guide before submitting an Expression of Interest.
New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
The New Brunswick Express Entry Stream is connected to Canada's federal Express Entry system.
The Employment in New Brunswick pathway focuses on eligible Express Entry candidates who have established employment and residence connections within the province.
For example, the pathway requirements include living in New Brunswick for at least 12 months and working full-time in an eligible TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 position for a New Brunswick employer during that period.
Candidates must also satisfy the relevant federal Express Entry and provincial eligibility requirements.
What Is the Strategic Initiative Stream?
New Brunswick's Strategic Initiative Stream is particularly relevant to French-speaking candidates who have qualifying connections to the province.
The September 2026 selection round issued 251 invitations through two pathways:
Francophone Workers in New Brunswick
This pathway is intended for eligible French-speaking foreign nationals who are working in New Brunswick or have a qualifying full-time job offer from an eligible employer.
Candidates must meet the applicable residence, employment or recruitment-related requirements.
New Brunswick Francophone Priorities
This pathway focuses on French-speaking candidates who have priority connections to New Brunswick.
Eligible profiles may include French-speaking graduates of qualifying post-secondary programmes in the province and other candidates who meet the provincial selection criteria.
For French-speaking individuals interested in building their careers in Canada, this stream may provide an additional immigration option worth exploring.
However, speaking French alone does not guarantee an invitation. Candidates must satisfy the relevant pathway requirements and selection criteria.
What Is the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)?
The Atlantic Immigration Program is an employer-driven immigration pathway designed to help employers in Atlantic Canada recruit and retain qualified foreign workers and eligible international graduates.
The programme covers four Atlantic provinces:
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
- Newfoundland and Labrador
Unlike a provincial nomination pathway, the AIP generally requires a qualifying job offer from a designated employer in an eligible Atlantic province.
Key Requirements for the Atlantic Immigration Program
Applicants generally need to meet requirements related to:
- A qualifying job offer from a designated employer.
- Relevant work experience, unless an applicable international graduate exemption applies.
- Educational qualifications.
- English or French language proficiency.
- Settlement funds, where applicable.
- Provincial endorsement of the employment offer and settlement plan.
The employer also has responsibilities under the programme, including working with the appropriate provincial authority and supporting the candidate's settlement process.
The AIP can be an option for eligible foreign nationals who have a genuine employment opportunity with a designated employer in Atlantic Canada.
NBPNP vs Atlantic Immigration Program: What Is the Difference?
Although both programmes can lead to Canadian permanent residence, their application processes are different.
| Feature | NBPNP | Atlantic Immigration Program |
|---|---|---|
| Programme type | Provincial Nominee Program | Employer-driven immigration programme |
| Main requirement | Eligibility under a provincial stream | Qualifying job offer from a designated employer |
| Selection | Expression of Interest and provincial invitation for applicable streams | Employer and provincial endorsement process |
| Outcome | Provincial nomination | Provincial endorsement |
| Final immigration step | Apply for PR through IRCC | Apply for PR through IRCC |
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