French Language in the NBPNP
New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province. The New Brunswick Strategic Initiative is reserved for French-speaking candidates and requires NCLC 5 in all four French language skills. In the Express Entry stream's selection factor grid, a second official language at CLB 5 or higher in all skills earns 4 points (Employment in New Brunswick guide, June 2026). Expressions of interest "are not considered on a first come, first served basis" and remain valid for 365 days (NBPNP). For the latest rounds, see New Brunswick's invitation and selection rounds page.
NBPNP Streams
- "This stream is for people who work in New Brunswick or have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an eligible employer" (Skilled Worker stream).
- All pathways: "be at least 19 years old", "have a level 4 in all four language skills according to the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)", and "have the support of an eligible employer who has been actively operating in New Brunswick for the past 24 months, providing goods or services."
- New Brunswick Experience pathway: "be working full time in a non-seasonal position for the employer who is supporting your application", "have at least six months of full-time work experience with the same employer", "have lived in New Brunswick for the past six months" and "have at least a high school diploma."
- New Brunswick Graduates pathway: "have completed a program of study that is eligible for a post-graduation work permit at a designated learning institution located in New Brunswick" and "have lived in New Brunswick for the past six months."
- New Brunswick Priority Occupations pathway: "have at least one year of paid work experience related to this position", and "the offer must be a direct result of a recruitment mission led by the Government of New Brunswick."
- Wage: the base wage must be "within the range of wages earned by workers in the same occupation in the specified region, according to Job Bank's labour market information" and "consistent with the pay structure of your employer" (New Brunswick Experience guide, June 2026).
- The employer must show genuine recruitment efforts that favour Canadian citizens and permanent residents living in New Brunswick, and must be in good standing with provincial and federal laws
Recent Official Changes
September 14, 2026: AIP employer designation applications remain paused for the rest of 2026. The AIP restriction on the accommodation and food services sector was removed, other listed occupations remain restricted, and endorsements for positions offered to people outside Canada are limited to Government of New Brunswick recruitment initiatives in health care, education and construction (Important notices).
May 4, 2026: New invitations under the New Brunswick Experience pathway limited to health care, education and construction. New Brunswick stated: "This measure is being implemented due to limited remaining allocation under this stream."
February 3, 2026: Expressions of interest from the accommodation and food services sector (NAICS 72), and from listed occupations in any sector, are not considered for the Skilled Worker and Express Entry streams.
Eligibility Points to Check
Sources: Government of New Brunswick (gnb.ca) — New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program, Skilled Worker stream, Express Entry stream, Strategic Initiative, Business Immigration stream, Critical Worker Pilot, Private Career College Graduate Pilot, Atlantic Immigration Program, Important notices, and the June 2026 New Brunswick Experience, Employment in New Brunswick and Business Immigration stream guides; canada.ca — Atlantic Immigration Program (work experience, job offer, language testing) and Comprehensive Ranking System criteria. This page is general information provided by a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant and is not a substitute for the official requirements at gnb.ca. Last reviewed by Amer Rehman, RCIC (R515343): October 13, 2026.