Investment in New Brunswick

The province of New Brunswick, Canada, has created opportunities for immigration through investment for foreign entrepreneurs via some of its Provincial Nominee Program (New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program – PNP).

Investment methods in New Brunswick under the PNP include:

New Brunswick PNP Entrepreneurial Stream

New Brunswick PNP Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream

The New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Plan, which was renamed the New Brunswick Business Immigration Program in the update on January 13, 2021, is specifically for experienced entrepreneurs and investors who are ready to establish, launch, and actively manage a business that will contribute to New Brunswick’s economy and intend to settle permanently in this province.

This plan operates through an Expression of Interest (EOI) system, and applicants’ scores are calculated based on factors such as age, education, language proficiency, ownership or management experience, net worth, business plan, and adaptability factors. We will discuss more details about this program later.

Advantages of the investment method in New Brunswick

Lower startup costs for businesses

Lower tax rates compared to some other provinces in Canada

Strong economic growth indicators

Support for businesses from the provincial government

Access to a skilled and trained workforce

Wide access to global markets, including the North American market

Possibility of obtaining Canadian permanent residency for applicants and their spouses and children under 22 years old

Conditions for investment and entrepreneurship in New Brunswick

In the New Brunswick investment method, both applicants and the proposed business must meet certain conditions that we will mention next.

Requirements for Applicants

You must be between 21 and 59 years old.

You need to have at least a high school diploma.

Provide a minimum language score of CLB 5 in English or French.

Show that you will live permanently in New Brunswick and actively run a business there on a daily basis.

Present a business plan or concept that has been approved by the provincial government and demonstrates that the proposed business will have significant economic benefits for the province of New Brunswick.

Have a net worth of at least $500,000.

Provide a minimum initial investment of $150,000 and own at least 33% of the proposed business.

In the last 5 years, you should have at least three years of experience as a business manager and owner (with at least 33% ownership) or have worked as a senior manager of a business with at least 2 employees in the past 5 years.

After starting the business, create jobs for at least two Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Your spouse, dependent children, or family members cannot take those new jobs.

Score at least 65 points from the scoring factors. The total score in the New Brunswick entrepreneurship program is 100.

Business Requirements

Your proposed business must:

Offer economic benefits to New Brunswick.

Be in the form of a corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. If it’s a partnership, the other partners must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Either continue the development of an existing business (business acquisition) or establish a new business.

Be a private and profitable entity with the main aim of generating profit through selling goods or providing services.

Who is not eligible to apply for the New Brunswick Entrepreneurship approach?

If you fall under one of the following groups, you are not allowed to apply for the New Brunswick Entrepreneurship Stream:

You own assets or a business in other provinces of Canada.

You have applied to other provinces in Canada and have an open immigration file.

Your application has been previously rejected due to providing false information for other immigration programs.

You are living in Canada illegally.

You are working in Canada without a permit.

Your admission to Canada has been denied, or you have been issued a removal order from Canada or any other country or territory.

You are in Canada but your residency status has expired and you have not applied for an extension within 90 days after expiration.

You have not been legally accepted in the country where you currently reside.

You are enrolled in a post-secondary education program in Canada.

You have received a full-time, part-time, seasonal job offer, or a regular job offer from New Brunswick.

You are registered in the Home Care Provider Program in Canada.

Your personal net worth cannot be verified.

Acceptable businesses and key sectors for investment in New Brunswick include the following:

Agriculture

Tourism

Manufacturing

Information and Communications Technology

Cybersecurity

Value-added wood industries

Aquaculture

Digital health

Food and beverage

Call centers (telecommunications)

Energy innovation

Aerospace and defense

Unacceptable businesses for entrepreneurship immigration to New Brunswick

Bed and breakfast establishments

Businesses that provide services paid with coins, such as laundromats

Businesses providing expert consulting in a specific field;

Online educational and language training centers

Online businesses

Cooperatives

Hobby farming

Brokerage businesses

Financial services like payday loans, check cashing, ATM services

Home-based businesses

Passive investment schemes related to immigration and refugee protection.

Seasonal businesses

Sale of illegal substances and drugs

Businesses providing sexual services and pornography

Investment Scoring System in New Brunswick

As previously mentioned, the scoring for the New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Program is calculated based on factors like age, language proficiency, education, net worth, and other criteria. The total score for this program is 100, and to be eligible, you need to achieve at least 65 points.

Next, we will examine each factor and its corresponding points individually.

Age

Age	Score
21-29	5
30-49	10
50-59	5

Language Skill

The minimum language score required for the New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Immigration is CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French.

The maximum points for language skill is 20, and if you know a second language, you can earn an additional 5 points.

Official first language level	Skill points
CLB 7 and above	5
CLB 6	4
CLB 5	3
Maximum points	20

Official second language level	skill points
CLB 5 and above	5

Equivalent to a CLB 5 score in English and French:

Test	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
IELTS General	5	4	5	5
CELPIP General	5	5	5	5
PTE Core	31-49	42-50	51-59	51-58
TEF Canada	181-216	151-180	226-270	226-270
TCF Canada	369-397	375-405	6	6

Education

Depending on your level of education, you can receive up to 25 points. The minimum educational requirement is completing a full-time two-year post-secondary training program.

Education	Points
Obtaining a master’s or doctoral degree from a college or university after completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree	20
Receiving a diploma from a college or university with a program length of at least 3 years and full-time.	16
Obtaining a two-year full-time diploma in a specific trade after high school	13
Receiving a high school diploma	10
Maximum points	20

Personal Net Worth

Personal Net Worth means the total asset value minus total liabilities.

Net worth includes all your assets as well as those of your spouse, whether they’re in your name, your spouse’s name, or both.

In the New Brunswick business immigration program, the minimum net worth you need to provide is $500,000. This asset must have been legally obtained and verified by a third-party professional approved by the government of New Brunswick.

Note: You will not receive any points for providing the minimum required net worth.

Business Ownership or Senior Management Experience

In the New Brunswick entrepreneurship stream, you get different points based on how many years you have been a business owner or senior manager in the last 5 years. The maximum score you can get from this section is 20 points.

Business Ownership Experience

An owner of at least 51% of a private business who is personally involved in daily activities and major decision-making of the company, and at least supervises two employees.

Number of Activity years	Scores
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 senior manager of a business who is personally involved in daily activities and major decision-making of the company, and at least supervises two employees

Number of Activity years	Scores
10 years in the last 10 years	9
6-9 years in the last 10 years	7
5 years in the last 5 years	5

Shareholder – Investment

A shareholder in other businesses but does not have an active daily management role.

Number of Activity years	Scores
Any number of years of experience	–

Business Plan

It is necessary to submit your business plan along with your EOI application. You need to show that your proposed business plan has economic benefits for the province of New Brunswick and aims to generate profit through providing services or producing products.

You should also demonstrate that you have conducted extensive research on the proposed business and taken into account the economic, cultural factors and market conditions.

Business Plan – Economic Benefit for New Brunswick	Points
In the year leading up to applying for the province’s entrepreneurship program, you have visited New Brunswick for at least 5 business days (exploratory trip) and submitted your trip report with the EOI application.	5
You have 5 years of business ownership experience and will work in New Brunswick in the same industry and sector.	4
The business you are considering is located outside of Fredericton, Saint John, and Moncton (more than 20 kilometers from the city center).	5
The qualifying investment is over $500,000, or the qualifying investment is between $150,000 and $499,999 CAD	3 or 2
You have included the articles of incorporation, bylaws, regulations, and accreditation requirements related to the business plan.	3
You have conducted thorough and detailed market research related to the business plan	5
Maximum Score	25

Adaptability

If your spouse has studied or worked in the province of New Brunswick, or has at least a CLB 5 score in English or at least an NCLC 5 score in French, a maximum of 5 points will be added to your score.

Adaptability Factors	Maximum Points
Has completed a full-time one-year program at a post-secondary institution in New Brunswick after turning 17 and with a valid study permit.	5
Has worked continuously and full-time in New Brunswick for at least 6 months.	5
Has an English language certificate with at least a CLB 5 score or at least an NCLC 5 score in French.	5

What helps to increase the score in the New Brunswick entrepreneurship program?

Higher language scores

Providing a second language certificate, such as French

A larger investment amount

Latest draw results for the New Brunswick entrepreneurship program

Applicants who achieve higher scores and whose business concepts are also accepted by the province will receive invitations to apply for the province; however, the results are not announced as a lottery.

Steps to Obtain an Investment Visa in the Province of New Brunswick

To get a two-year work visa under the New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream, you’ll need to follow these steps:

Step One: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

The first step in obtaining a New Brunswick entrepreneur visa is to submit an expression of interest through the online system of the New Brunswick Immigration Department. Before submitting your EOI, you must meet at least one of the following conditions:

You must have visited New Brunswick for at least 5 working days in the 12 months before submitting your EOI; or

You or your spouse have completed a full-time program of at least one year at an educational institution after high school in New Brunswick and received the necessary diploma or certificate; or

In the past 2 years, you or your spouse have worked for at least 6 consecutive months, 30 hours a week, in a high-skilled job categorized under NOC O, A, or B for a company located in New Brunswick; or

You or your spouse have relatives in New Brunswick who have been citizens or permanent residents for at least 12 months. These relatives include a son or daughter over 18 years old, brother, sister, mother, father, grandparent, aunt, uncle, and niece or nephew.

Once you’ve submitted your expression of interest online, if you meet the necessary criteria and score at least 65 points out of all the assessment factors for the New Brunswick Business Stream, you’ll enter the pool for the draw.

Having a high score in the draw pool doesn’t guarantee your priority over another applicant with a lower score. Instead, providing a business plan that has the potential to deliver significant economic benefits to New Brunswick will enhance your chances of receiving an invitation or ITA.

Step Two: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If selected from the pool for the lottery, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for the New Brunswick Business Program. The number of invitations issued depends on the province’s capacity and the annual processing volume of applications.

From the time you receive the invitation, you have 90 days to submit your complete application online to the New Brunswick Immigration Department. If you do not apply within the 90 days, your invitation will be automatically canceled, and you will need to restart the New Brunswick entrepreneurship process from the beginning.

Step Three: Submit Your Application to the New Brunswick Immigration Department.

Once you submit your application and pay the associated fees, the New Brunswick government will conduct a thorough evaluation of your case based on the program requirements and business factors. The provincial government may ask for additional documents or request that you participate in an interview.

Interview: During the interview, you will be asked various questions about your business plan and other information related to your application. The interview can be conducted in English or French upon your request. You are not allowed to use a translator during this session. The format of the meeting, along with the location and time, will be communicated by the New Brunswick government.

Not attending the interview may lead to the rejection of your application.

Step Four: Receive a Support Letter and Apply for a Canadian Work Visa.

If your entrepreneurship application is approved by the province, you will receive an email asking you to sign a Business Performance Agreement with the province within 60 days. After that, the New Brunswick government will issue you a support letter, which you can use to apply for a temporary work permit for Canada.

At this stage, you need to submit your complete application for a work visa to the federal immigration department of Canada. If you receive a work permit, you can move to Canada and start your business in New Brunswick.

Required Documents for Obtaining a New Brunswick Investment Visa

To get a temporary work visa through the entrepreneurship stream in New Brunswick, you need to provide the following documents:

Identification documents like translated birth certificate, national ID card, and scanned copies of all pages of a valid passport

Translation of marriage or divorce certificate (if applicable)

One 3.5 x 4.5 cm photo

Language proficiency test results

Resume

Documents showing your management or ownership experience over the past 5 years, such as employment letters, work contracts, business licenses, company bylaws, etc.

Pay stubs for the last 12 months

Documents indicating tax payments over the past 5 years

Business plan

Support letter from the province

Documents demonstrating financial capability to fund the New Brunswick entrepreneurship program

Criminal record check

Required forms for the program

Residency in Canada through investment in New Brunswick

Once you receive the work visa for the New Brunswick business immigration program, you will have two steps to obtain entrepreneurial residency in New Brunswick:

1. Start up your business and receive provincial nomination

After entering Canada, you need to set up your business. You have one month from your arrival to submit your entry report form to New Brunswick.

Within the first nine months after your arrival in Canada, you must open your business and submit the business opening form to New Brunswick. Within two years of entering Canada, you need to have operated your business in accordance with the terms of the execution agreement for a continuous period of one year.

After You have completed twelve consecutive months of operating your business, you have one month to apply for provincial nomination. If you fulfill all the commitments of the execution agreement with the province, you will be selected and receive provincial nomination.

2. Apply for Canadian permanent residence visa

After receiving the nomination certificate from New Brunswick, which is valid for only nine months, you can apply for Canadian permanent residence. Your application must be submitted to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). At this stage, medical examinations are mandatory.

New Brunswick Entrepreneurship Program for Graduates

This program is designed for graduates who have studied for at least 2 years at one of New Brunswick’s universities or colleges. In addition, they must meet other program requirements and start and operate a business in the province that benefits the provincial economy.

If they fulfill the commitments of the executive agreement with the province, applicants will receive a provincial nomination for permanent residency in Canada.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the schedule for the New Brunswick Entrepreneurship Program?

The application review process for the New Brunswick business immigration program typically takes between 8 to 12 months.

How much is the application fee for the New Brunswick Entrepreneurship Program?

The province of New Brunswick charges a fee of CAD 2,000 for application processing and this fee is non-refundable.

What are the key cities for investment in New Brunswick?

Moncton

Saint John

Fredericton

What is the minimum initial capital required for the New Brunswick Entrepreneurship Program?

CAD 150,000

If I've received an invitation for the previous New Brunswick Entrepreneurship Program, is that invitation valid for the new New Brunswick business immigration program?

Yes, of course, you have 90 days from the issuance of the invitation to submit your application to the province.

If I start a business in New Brunswick for a year, will I automatically receive a provincial nomination certificate?

No, to receive a provincial nomination, you must fulfill all the commitments of the executive agreement with the province and then submit your application form to the province.

Is it easy to obtain permanent residency in New Brunswick?

The answer to this question is yes; this province is one of the easiest places in Canada to obtain permanent residency. New Brunswick responds quickly to applicants who meet the specific economic needs and job market of the province.

Is it necessary to make an investment in the province before receiving a work visa for the New Brunswick Entrepreneurship Program?

No, it is recommended that you do not do this until you have received your work permit visa.

Is an exploratory visit required for the New Brunswick investment program?

No, taking an exploratory trip to New Brunswick is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended for preparing a business plan and exploring business opportunities in the province.

Is it possible to buy an existing business under the New Brunswick business immigration program?

Yes, but you also need to meet the conditions for purchasing an existing business.

Do I need to reside in New Brunswick when applying for a Canadian permanent residency visa?

Yes, until you obtain permanent residency in Canada, you are required to spend 75% of your time in New Brunswick working on establishing and operating your business.

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