New Brunswick has officially opened its 2026 provincial immigration season with a strong and targeted start. In the first New Brunswick PNP draw of 2026, the province issued 379 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), focusing strictly on candidates who already have clear ties to New Brunswick.

The New Brunswick immigration draw 2026, held between January 13 and January 15, confirms that the province is prioritising retention of workers, graduates, and Francophone candidates who are already contributing to the local economy.

New Brunswick PNP Draw 2026: Key Highlights
  1. New Brunswick issued 379 ITAs in its first NBPNP draw of 2026
  2. Invitations were issued under three immigration streams
  3. All selected candidates were required to show strong ties to New Brunswick
  4. The EOI cut-off date was January 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. AST
  5. This draw sets the direction for New Brunswick immigration in 2026

The New Brunswick PNP continues to show a focused, employer- and community-driven approach.

Check your Canada PR score instantly with our Canada PR Points Calculator. Get accurate CRS results and plan your immigration journey smarter today.

Streams Included in the First New Brunswick PNP Draw of 2026

Candidates were invited through the following New Brunswick PNP streams:

  1. New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
  2. New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream
  3. New Brunswick Express Entry Stream

Each of these streams targets a different group, but all emphasise settlement potential and long-term contribution to New Brunswick.

New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream: Majority of Invitations

The New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream dominated this New Brunswick PNP draw 2026, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all invitations.

Key points about this stream:

  1. Focused mainly on the New Brunswick Experience and New Brunswick Graduates pathways
  2. Open to skilled foreign nationals already working in the province
  3. Covered all occupational sectors, not limited to the priority lists

Who Qualified Under the New Brunswick Experience Pathway

Candidates had to:

  1. Live in New Brunswick for at least six months before submitting an EOI
  2. Be currently employed full-time in a non-seasonal role
  3. Work for a New Brunswick employer willing to support the nomination
  4. Have a minimum of six months of work experience with the employer

This shows that New Brunswick immigration strongly favours workers already settled and employed in the province.

Calculate your Alberta PNP score instantly with our easy Alberta PNP Points calculator. Check eligibility, boost your chances, and plan your Canada PR journey today.

New Brunswick Graduates Get a Clear Signal

International graduates were also selected under the New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream, reinforcing the province’s goal of retaining students trained locally.

To qualify, graduates needed to:

  1. Complete a PGWP-eligible program at a New Brunswick-designated learning institution
  2. Be currently working full-time or hold a valid full-time, non-seasonal job offer
  3. Receive employer support for their NBPNP application

For students planning long-term settlement, this New Brunswick PNP draw confirms a reliable study-to-PR pathway.

Strategic Initiative Stream Returns After a Long Pause

One of the most important developments in the New Brunswick immigration draw 2026 was the return of the New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream.

Important points:

  1. This stream was paused throughout 2025
  2. No invitations were issued under this stream last year
  3. The January 2026 draw marks its first selection in over one year

Who Was Selected Under NB Francophone Priorities

Candidates needed to meet at least one of the following:

Previous residence in New Brunswick, plus completion of a minimum one-year, in-person program at

  1. Université de Moncton, or
  2. Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB)

Receipt of a Letter of Interest from Immigration New Brunswick

This confirms that Francophone immigration remains a strategic priority under the New Brunswick PNP.

New Brunswick Express Entry Stream: Fewer Invitations, High Value

Although fewer candidates were selected, the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream remains one of the most powerful pathways.

Key eligibility requirements included:

  1. Living in New Brunswick for at least 12 months
  2. Working full-time in a non-seasonal TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation
  3. Having 12 months of full-time work experience with New Brunswick employers
  4. Maintaining an active profile in Express Entry

Successful nominees under this stream can receive 600 additional CRS points, which almost guarantees an ITA for Canada permanent residence.

Use our CRS Calculator to instantly check your Canada Express Entry score and boost your chances of permanent residency today.

What This New Brunswick Immigration Draw Means for 2026

This New Brunswick PNP draw 2026 clearly signals that:

  1. Provincial ties are essential
  2. Candidates already living and working in New Brunswick have the strongest advantage
  3. Francophone candidates are back in focus after a year-long pause
  4. Express Entry-linked nominations remain limited but extremely valuable

For anyone planning New Brunswick immigration, maintaining legal status, steady employment, and an updated EOI is critical.

What Candidates Should Do Next

Immigration experts recommend that candidates:

  1. Keep EOIs accurate and up to date
  2. Maintain continuous employment in New Brunswick
  3. Monitor future New Brunswick PNP draws in 2026
  4. Prepare documents early to avoid missing deadlines

Competition is expected to remain strong in the upcoming New Brunswick immigration draws.

Conclusion: New Brunswick Starts 2026 With a Clear Immigration Strategy

With 379 invitations issued across three streams, the first New Brunswick PNP draw of 2026 confirms a selective but opportunity-rich immigration approach. By prioritising workers, graduates, and Francophone candidates with genuine provincial ties, New Brunswick immigration continues to support long-term settlement and economic growth.

For serious applicants, the New Brunswick PNP in 2026 offers strong potential but only with the right preparation and strategy.

Track the latest Canada PR processing time from India. Get clear timelines, updates, and expert guidance to plan your immigration journey smoothly.

How Visa Solutions 4u Can Help

Applying under the New Brunswick PNP involves strict stream rules and documentation standards. Visa Solutions 4u can support you by:

  1. Assessing eligibility for New Brunswick PNP 2026
  2. Identifying the right stream for your profile
  3. Preparing EOIs and nomination documents
  4. Guiding you toward Canada permanent residence

With Visa Solutions 4u, your New Brunswick immigration journey becomes clearer, compliant, and far more successful.

Also Read more: