New Brunswick PNP Express Entry Stream

The New Brunswick PNP Express Entry Stream aligns with the federal express entry system, enhancing the likelihood of receiving an ITA for permanent residency from IRCC. This stream is for individuals with the skills, education, and work experience to make significant contributions to New Brunswick’s economy.

There are other programs in NB PNP as well:

• Strategic Initiative Stream
• Skilled Worker Stream
• Private Career College Graduate Pilot
• New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot

Table of Contents

• New Brunswick Express Entry Stream Eligibility Criteria
• NB PNP Express Entry Stream Selection Factors
• New Brunswick Express Entry Stream Process
• NB PNP Express Entry Stream FAQs

New Brunswick PNP Express Entry Stream Eligibility Criteria

The first stream of NBPNP, the express entry stream, has the following eligibility criteria:

• Fulfill the requirements of at least one of the Federal Express Entry Immigration Programs
  • Federal Skilled Worker Program
  • Federal Skilled Trades Program
  • Canadian Experience Class

• Create a Federal Express Entry Profile and enter the candidate pool. You can complete this step at any time via Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

• Meet one of the following connections
  • Employment Connection- People who have lived in NB for a minimum of 6 months and are presently employed full-time or have received a full-time job offer from a New Brunswick employer.
  • Student Connection- International students from designated institutions in New Brunswick, enrolled in programs eligible for a PGWP and those who either recently completed their studies within the last six months, currently residing in NB and actively searching for employment in the province OR Graduate students (Masters and Ph.D.) enrolled in thesis-based programs when their thesis has been officially submitted for evaluation.
  • Priorities Connection- Candidates having a Primary Occupation NOC in a sector in demand in NB and meeting specific NB priorities, such as having a close family member in NB who has resided in NB as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for a minimum of 12 months, or they have attended an information session, or they are a francophone in a demanded sector.

Other Requirements

• You must have at least one year of full-time paid work (equivalent to 1,560 hours) or an equivalent amount of part-time work only in specific NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 categories.

• Your work experience can be gained either in Canada or internationally. It must align with the type of job (having the same NOC) you intend to use for your immigration application, and it must be paid work. You can meet the one-year (1,560 hours) continuous work requirement through various means:
  • Full-time job for 12 months of 30 hours per week
  • Full-time employment at multiple jobs for 30 hours per week for 12 months across multiple jobs
  • The equivalent amount through part-time employment for 15 hours per week for 24 months.
• All applicants must provide a valid language test result in either English or French dated less than 18 months before the submission of your application. You must achieve a minimum of CLB 7 for English and NCLC 7 for French.
• If you haven’t graduated from a Canadian institution, you must provide a copy of an Educational Credential Assessment.

• Applicants should immigrate to NB only if they have genuine intentions to live and work there.
• Settlement funds are not mandatory for Open Work Permit holders with at least one year of work experience (in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) in Canada who meet all requirements of the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program. However, if you haven’t worked in Canada for a minimum of one year, you must demonstrate proof of funds.

New Brunswick PNP Express Entry Stream Selection Factors

Based on these factors for selection, your application gets points. To pass, you must score a minimum of 67 out of 100 points. 

1. Age

Age with a maximum of 12 points, requires you to be between 22 and 55 years old. Assessment is based on your age at the time of submitting a complete application in response to an Invitation to Apply (ITA), not at the time of registration with the NBPNP.

2. Language

Official language proficiency, with a maximum of 28 points, requires submitting valid test scores from a designated testing body. Here is the marks distribution

3. Education

Education, with a maximum of 25 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.

4. Work experience

Work experience, with a maximum of 15 points, requires at least one year of full-time paid work or an equivalent amount of part-time work within the past 10 years before application submission, falling under TEER Category 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the 2021 National Occupation Classification. Your experience should align with the duties outlined in the lead statement of the occupational description in the NOC, including essential and most main duties. It must also match the type of job (NOC) you intend to use for your immigration application, and it must be paid work; unpaid internships and volunteer experiences are not considered. Check the detailed marks distribution below

5. Employment in NB

New Brunswick Employment, with a maximum of 10 points, may be applied in specific cases where your current job or job offer satisfies certain conditions stated in the table below. These points are only granted if the job or job offer meets the specified criteria, and you must have the job or offer before applying. To attain 10 points based on your job or job offer, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• Scenario 1: If you presently hold a job in New Brunswick on a work permit and meet the following requirements:
  • Your work permit, issued by IRCC, stems from a positive LMIA provided by Employment and Social Development Canada, for a position listed under TEER Category 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the NOC.
  • You are employed by the New Brunswick employer specified on your work permit.
  • Your work permit remains valid at the time of application.
  • You must provide a copy of your employer’s positive LMIA along with your Work Permit during the application submission.

• Scenario 2: If you are presently employed in New Brunswick on a work permit and meet the subsequent criteria:
  • You hold a position in New Brunswick exempt from the LMIA requirement due to:
    • International agreements like NAFTA.
    •  Offering significant benefits to Canadian interests.
    •  A federal-provincial agreement.
• Additionally, you must fulfill these conditions:
  • You work for the NB employer as stated on your work permit.
  • Your work permit remains valid at the time of application.
  • You have been employed by an NB employer for at least a year of continuous, full-time, or part-time equivalent job.

6. Adaptability

Adaptability, with a maximum of 10 points, can be earned by you and your spouse or common-law partner (who intends to immigrate with you). Check out the table below for the points in detail

New Brunswick PNP Express Entry Stream Process

Here is the application process for the New Brunswick PNP Express Entry Stream:

Step 1: Make a Federal Express Entry Profile

Obtain a Federal Express Entry profile number (E00*******) and job seeker validation code.

Step 2: Be PR Ready

Ensure you meet all minimum eligibility requirements and selection factors. Gather all required documents needed for a complete and correct application.

Step 3: File for an Expression of Interest (EOI)

Next, make a profile within the INB system and submit your EOI. Also, keep your profile updated throughout the process.

Step 4: Await the Invitation to Apply (ITA)

• Await an invitation to apply (ITA) from New Brunswick.
• An ITA does not guarantee approval; ensure you meet eligibility criteria.
• You may receive an ITA if you meet the requirements of the stream.
• If invited, follow the instructions provided in your account to proceed.
• You must submit a complete application via the New Brunswick online system within 45 calendar days from the date of receiving the ITA.
• Failure to meet the deadline will result in the removal of the ITA, requiring you to restart the process.

Step 5: Submit an Application to GNB

• You can only apply if you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
• Once you receive an ITA, submit your complete application through the INB system and pay the processing fee.
• GNB will thoroughly review your application, evaluating it based on eligibility requirements and selection factors.
• The stream under which you apply cannot be changed after submission. Ensure you meet the requirements of the chosen category.

Step 6: Receive a Decision from GNB

GNB will inform you of the final decision in writing and upload it to your INB account.

• Application Approval: If nominated, you can apply directly to IRCC for PR. Maintain nomination conditions while awaiting PR application decision.
• Nomination Certificate Validity: Valid for nine months; PR application must be submitted to IRCC before expiry.
• Application Refusal: If ineligible, the application will be refused with no appeal process. You may reapply once eligibility requirements are met.
• Extending a Nomination Certificate: GNB may extend it if the PR application was submitted before expiry and returned by IRCC for reasons like incompleteness.
• Withdrawing Your Nomination Certificate: You can voluntarily withdraw without penalty except for misrepresentation cases.

Step 7: Submit Your Final Application 

• If nominated, submit a PR application to IRCC before the expiry date on the Certificate of Nomination.
• IRCC assesses applications based on Canadian immigration law. Contact IRCC directly for application status updates.

Step 8: Receive a Decision from IRCC

• If IRCC approves the PR application, you’ll receive a PR visa.
• You must reach the province within 30 days of arriving in Canada.

To sum up, the New Brunswick PNP Express Entry Stream lines up with the federal express entry system, making it more likely to get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency from the IRCC. This stream is one of the four streams for candidates, along with the NB Strategic Initiative stream, and NB Private Career College Graduate Pilot looking to make NB their permanent residence in Canada. By choosing this stream, applicants show they’re committed to living and working in the province permanently.

New Brunswick PNP Express Entry Stream FAQs

Q. How long does it take to process the New Brunswick PNP Express Entry Stream?
A. Upon receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), the applicant needs to prepare and submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence within the allotted timeframe. Applications submitted through Express Entry are typically processed within six months.

Q. What is the score for New Brunswick PNP Express Entry Stream?
A. Candidates have to score a minimum of 67 out of 100 points. 

Q. What are the factors for New Brunswick PNP Express Entry Stream selection?
A. The factors for NB PNP Express Entry selection are age, language, education, work experience, employment in NB and adaptability.

Q. Is there an age restriction for New Brunswick PNP Express Entry Stream?
A. Yes, NB PNP Express Entry requires you to be between 22 and 55 years old.

Q. Do I need to have a minimum educational qualification for New Brunswick PNP Express Entry Stream?
A. New Brunswick PNP Express Entry Stream requires at least a Canadian secondary (high school) diploma or an equivalent foreign credential on par with a Canadian diploma. 

Also read,

• OINP Skilled Trades stream