Updated 2025 Guide to NB BIS
What is New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream?
New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream (NB BIS) is a provincial PR program targeting candidates with senior management or business ownership experience to establish or buy a business in the province of NB, Canada. For interested candidates who have the intention of actively managing a business in NB, this is an excellent program that leads to Canadian PR in a very short span of time.
Basic Eligibility Requirement for the NB BIS
Meeting the eligibility criteria is crucial for a successful application under the NB BIS. Aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners should thoroughly understand the requirements and prepare a strong application to enhance their chances of nomination and permanent residence in Canada.
The minimum requirements to be eligible for NB BIS are given below.
You are not eligible if,
Requirements for the Business
Your business must meet certain requirements as stated below.
- Provide economic benefit to the province;
- Be established as a sole proprietorship, partnership (with a Canadian citizen or a PR only), or corporation;
- Operate an existing business or establish a new one;
- Be a private-sector, for-profit entity primarily focused on earning profits through goods and/or services;
- Be deemed a “permanent establishment” under section 400(2) of the Canadian Income Tax Regulations, 1985.
Business Investment Requirements
If you are investing in a business, you must abide by the following rules:
- Make an eligible investment of at least CAD 150,000 before tax, excluding items for personal use such as your primary residence and motor vehicles;
- Hold at least 33.3% equity in the business.
- Eligible equity investments must come from your net worth and can include:
- Business premises: Up to 25% of your total eligible investment or actual cost for building, land, and property improvements.
- Office equipment: Such as computers, desks, chairs, and communication devices.
- Equipment for production and manufacturing: Including machinery, tools, and installation costs.
- Initial inventory: Up to 50% of your total eligible investment or actual cost.
- First 6 months of operation costs such as rent, utilities, and salary to employees.
- Professional services: For marketing and business establishment, up to 4% of your total eligible investment or CAD 10,000, whichever is lower.
- Vehicles: Up to 5% of your total eligible investment or CAD 15,000, amortized based on business use.
Criteria for Purchasing a Business
If you are purchasing an existing New Brunswick business, you must show the Government of New Brunswick that the business:
- Has been continuously operated by the same owner, who is a permanent resident or citizen of Canada, for the three years preceding the purchase;
- Can be taken over at a fair market value;
- Has shown a net profit for at least two of the previous three years, evidenced by audited financial statements and tax assessments from the Canada Revenue Agency;
- Will maintain existing staff under similar terms;
- Has not undergone receivership or bankruptcy within the three years prior to the purchase date;
- Goodwill should not exceed 10% of the net book value when purchasing a profitable business.
New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream Selection Factors
The New Brunswick PNP Business Immigration Stream invites global business owners and senior managers to establish businesses in New Brunswick permanently, assessing applicants on various criteria as stated below. A minimum score of 65 out of 100 points is required for a nomination.
1. Age
You must be between the ages of 21 to 59 to qualify for this stream. You can get a maximum of 10 points in this factor.
| Age | Points |
| 19-49 | 10 |
| 50-59 | 5 |
2. Language
You can get at most 25 points from language scores. At least, you must have CLB 5 for English and NCLC 5 for French to be qualified for this stream. Here is the detailed table on the same.
| First official language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking | Max points |
| CLB 7+ | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 20 |
| CLB 5 or 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| CLB 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| Second official language | |||||
| CLB 4+ in all four language abilities | 5 | ||||
3. Education
Education, with a maximum of 20 points, requires at least a Canadian secondary (high school) diploma or an equivalent foreign credential on par with a Canadian diploma. Check the other details below.
| Education – Canadian, or equivalent | Points |
| Post-Graduate Master’s degree or Ph.D.: Granted by a college or university’s graduate school after finishing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. | 20 |
| Post-Secondary Academic degree: Granted by a college or university upon completion of an undergraduate program requiring a minimum of three years of full-time study. | 16 |
| Post-Secondary diploma: Granted in a specific trade after at least two years of full-time study following high school. | 13 |
| High School diploma: Granted by a secondary school. | 10 |
4. Business Ownership / Work Experience
You can earn at most 15 points if you meet the following work experience or own requirements
| Details | Years of experience | Points |
| Business ownership a) You’ve owned at least 51% of the business for three out of the last five years; and b) You’ve supervised at least two employees. | 10 years in the last 10 years | 15 |
| 6-9 years in the last 10 years | 12 | |
| 3 years in the last 5 years | 8 | |
| Senior management experience a) You manage an organization, department, or essential function; b) You’ve been a senior manager for three out of the last five years; c) You supervise at least two employees; d) You have authority over hiring, termination, and other personnel actions; e) You’re actively involved in day-to-day operations as a primary decision-maker; f) You’ve been involved in a for-profit company not owned or operated by the government or voluntary sector. | 10 years in the last 10 years | 9 |
| 6-9 years in the last 10 years | 7 | |
| 2 years in the last 5 years | 5 | |
| Shareholder- Ownership of shares in businesses without active managerial involvement. | Any | 0 |
5. Business Plan
The economic benefit to New Brunswick might get you a maximum of 25 points in the following manner.
| Details | Points |
| Candidate visited NB for at least 5 business days within the year before applying and provided a trip report with the EOI | 5 |
| The candidate must have at least 5 years of business ownership experience in the same industry and sector, which they will transfer to the province’s industry and sector. | 4 |
| Businesses located outside of the greater Fredericton, Saint John, and Moncton regions (more than 20 km from the city center) | 5 |
| Eligible investment exceeds CAD 500,000 Or investment between CAD 150,000 and CAD 499,999 | 3 or 2 |
| Candidate included relevant statutes, regulations, by-laws, and accreditation requirements related to their business plan | 3 |
| Candidate included detailed market research related to the business plan | 5 |
6. Adaptability
This might get you a maximum of 5 points if your spouse or common-law partner satisfies one of these conditions.
| Details | Points |
| Completion of a program of full-time study of at least one year at a recognized post-secondary institution in NB after the age of 17 years with a valid study permit | 5 |
| Completion of at least six months of continuous full-time employment in NB | 5 |
| Minimum CLB 4 in English or NCLC 4 in French in all four language abilities (i.e. reading, writing, listening, speaking) | 5 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the New Brunswick PNP Business Immigration Stream
1. Do I have to be present in New Brunswick during the business operation?
Yes, you have to spend most of your time in New Brunswick during the business establishment phase. This generally means around 75% of your time in the province, near your business. The specific requirements may vary depending of the business chosen.
2. Can I bring my family with me after I get the work permit?
Yes, your spouse is eligible to get a spousal open work permit. Your children below a certain age are eligible to get study permits. The exact definition of dependents is provided by the Government of New Brunswick on their website.
3. Can I open any business?
No, certain categories of businesses are not eligible under this program. For example, a B&C, a petting zoo or an equine farm are not eligible. Our consultants will work with you to identify the right business and prepare a business plan to ensure best chances of your success.
4. Is visiting New Brunswick before submitting the EIO mandatory?
No, the visit is not mandatory, however, we highly recommend it. The visit not only gets you an additional 5 points in the scoring matrix to increase your chances of approval, it also helps you determine whether NB is a good place for your to live and set up business. Seeing the province and meeting potential business partners, opens up the mind. Our consultants will help you plan the trip and get your meetings with the right people and organizations.
5. How many jobs must the business create to meet the requirements of the Business Immigration Stream?
The business must generate at least one full-time job for a permanent resident or Canadian citizen living in New Brunswick, excluding the applicant, their spouse, dependents, or other family members.
6. How long does it take to get an ITA after submission of EOI?
NB BIS works on first-come first-served principle. In general, an EOI is reviewed within 7 days of submission. If the applicant meets all the requirements, an ITA is issued
7. Will I be invited if I meet the eligibility requirements?
Yes, if you meet the eligibility requirements and your score is at least 65/100, you will be invited to apply.
8. What is the fee to apply?
There is no fee to submit the EOI. Once an applicant is invited to apply for full application, there is a non refundable CAD $2000 fee to be submitted to NB.
9. What is total timeline for the applicants?
In our experience, it takes anywhere between 9 to 12 months from the start of the process with us to landing in New Brunswick. For motivated applicants who can ensure that their part of taking tests and arranging documents is done expeditiously, the timeline can be compressed to 6-7 months.