Eligibility Criteria for the New Brunswick Skilled Worker Program

Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria for one of the following streams may receive an invitation from the province.

1. New Brunswick Experience Stream

This pathway is for individuals who are currently working full-time and in a non-seasonal position for a qualified employer in New Brunswick and have the employer’s support for their application.

To be eligible for this stream, you must:

• Be working full-time and in a non-seasonal position for a qualified employer in New Brunswick.
• Have worked for the same employer for at least six consecutive months.
• Hold a valid work permit in Canada during this period.
• Have a genuine and unconditional job.
• Have an employer who is willing to support your application.

Important Definitions:

• Full-time work: At least 30 hours per week (or 1,560 hours per year).
• Non-seasonal work: The job must be available throughout the year and should not involve long seasonal breaks.

Educational Requirements

• Your level of education must match the requirements of the job in New Brunswick.
• The National Occupational Classification (NOC) system is used to determine the required level of education.
• If your education was obtained outside Canada, you must obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a recognized organization.

Language Requirements

• You must take a recognized language test to assess your proficiency in English or French.
• The minimum required score in all four language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) is CLB 4 according to the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB).

Residency in New Brunswick

• You must have lived in New Brunswick for at least six consecutive months before applying and have valid temporary resident status in Canada during this time.

Required Documents

When submitting your application, you must provide supporting documents from at least three of the following categories:

• Lease agreement or rental contract (including university residence)
• Valid New Brunswick driver’s license
• Vehicle registration in New Brunswick
• Valid insurance policy (home, tenant, or vehicle)
• Mortgage document
• Current year’s property tax bill
• Two utility bills (e.g., phone, electricity, internet, water)
• Pay stubs with your residential address
• Child Tax Benefit Statement (if applicable)

Commitment to Living in New Brunswick

You must demonstrate a genuine intent and ability to permanently live and work in New Brunswick.

Proof of Intent to Settle in New Brunswick

To prove your commitment, you may submit evidence such as:

• Current and future employment in New Brunswick (job offer, employment contract, pay stubs)
• Residency history in the province (rental agreements or property ownership)
• Family or educational ties in New Brunswick
• Steps taken for permanent settlement (e.g., purchasing property, opening a bank account in New Brunswick)
• Community involvement (e.g., membership in local organizations, volunteer activities)
• Professional networks and affiliations (e.g., membership in provincial professional associations)
• Your primary focus must be on New Brunswick, not other Canadian provinces.

Age Requirement

• You must be at least 19 years old to qualify.

2. New Brunswick Graduate Stream

This pathway is designed for individuals who have completed a study program at a college or university in New Brunswick and are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

To qualify, you must:

• Have graduated from a recognized program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in New Brunswick.
• Ensure your program is eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
• Have an education level that aligns with the requirements of your intended occupation in New Brunswick.
• Work full-time in a non-seasonal job in New Brunswick or hold a valid job offer from an eligible employer in the province.

Employment or Job Offer in New Brunswick

To be eligible for this stream, you must:

• Be working full-time in a non-seasonal job for a qualified employer in New Brunswick or
• Have received a valid full-time job offer for such a position.

Important Definitions:

• Full-time work: A minimum of 30 hours per week (1,560 hours per year).
• Non-seasonal work: The job must be available year-round and should not involve long seasonal breaks.

Language Requirements

• You must take a recognized language test to assess your proficiency in English or French.
• The minimum required score in all four language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) is CLB 4 according to the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB).

Residency in New Brunswick

• You must have lived in New Brunswick for at least six consecutive months before applying and have valid temporary resident status in Canada during this period.

Required Documents

When submitting your application, you must provide supporting documents from at least three of the following categories:

• Lease agreement or rental contract (including university residence)
• Valid New Brunswick driver’s license
• Vehicle registration in New Brunswick
• Valid insurance policy (home, tenant, or vehicle)
• Mortgage document
• Current year’s property tax bill
• Two utility bills (e.g., phone, electricity, internet, water)
• Pay stubs with your residential address
• Child Tax Benefit Statement (if applicable)

Commitment to Living in New Brunswick

You must demonstrate a genuine intent and ability to permanently live and work in New Brunswick.

Proof of Intent to Settle in New Brunswick

To prove your commitment, you may submit evidence such as:

• Current and future employment in New Brunswick (job offer, employment contract, pay stubs)
• Residency history in the province (rental agreements or property ownership)
• Family or educational ties in New Brunswick
• Steps taken for permanent settlement (e.g., purchasing property, opening a bank account in New Brunswick)
• Community involvement (e.g., membership in local organizations, volunteer activities)
• Professional networks and affiliations (e.g., membership in provincial professional associations)
• Your primary focus must be on New Brunswick, not other Canadian provinces.

Age Requirement

• You must be at least 19 years old to qualify.

3. New Brunswick Priority Occupations Stream

This pathway is for individuals who have received a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an eligible employer in New Brunswick for an occupation listed as a priority job under the province’s National Occupational Classification (NOC).

To qualify, you must:

• Have a valid full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an eligible employer in New Brunswick.
• Have secured this job offer through an official New Brunswick government recruitment initiative.
• Ensure that your job is listed as a priority occupation in the province’s NOC list.
• Have at least one year of relevant work experience in the position.

Job Offer Requirements

To be eligible for this stream, you must:

• Have received a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an employer in New Brunswick.

Important Definitions:

• Full-time work: A minimum of 30 hours per week (1,560 hours per year).
• Non-seasonal work: The job must be available year-round and should not involve long seasonal breaks.

This pathway is an excellent opportunity for individuals with experience in high-demand jobs who wish to build their future in New Brunswick.

Priority Occupations List

Healthcare Sector

• 31301 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
• 32101 – Licensed practical nurses
• 32109 – Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
• 33101 – Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
• 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
• 33109 – Other assisting occupations in support of health services
• 44101 – Home support workers, caregivers, and related occupations

Education Sector

• 41220 – Secondary school teachers
• 41221 – Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
• 42201 – Social and community service workers
• 42202 – Early childhood educators and assistants
• 43100 – Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants

Construction Sector

• 70010 – Construction managers
• 70011 – Home building and renovation managers
• 72011 – Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades, and telecommunications occupations
• 72014 – Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers, and servicers
• 72020 – Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
• 72102 – Sheet metal workers
• 72106 – Welders and related machine operators
• 72200 – Electricians (except industrial and power system)
• 72201 – Industrial electricians
• 72310 – Carpenters
• 72320 – Bricklayers
• 72401 – Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
• 72402 – Heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning mechanics
• 72500 – Crane operators
• 73100 – Concrete finishers
• 73102 – Plasterers, drywall installers, and finishers and lathers
• 73110 – Roofers and shinglers
• 73200 – Residential and commercial installers and servicers
• 73400 – Heavy equipment operators
• 75110 – Construction trades helpers and labourers
• 75101 – Material handlers

Work Experience Requirement

Having at least 1,560 hours of relevant work experience in Canada or abroad in the last five years is one of the main conditions for acceptance into this program.

Conditions:

• At least 12 months of continuous work experience: Your work experience must have been gained over a minimum period of one full year.
• Relevant to the job in New Brunswick: Your experience must align with the job position offered in New Brunswick and match the same NOC code or a related occupation.
• Work with one or multiple employers: The work experience can be obtained through employment with one or more employers.

Educational Requirements

• You must have successfully completed a recognized study program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in New Brunswick.
• Your study program must be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
• Your level of education must match the job requirements in New Brunswick.
• The National Occupational Classification (NOC) system will be used to assess the required level of education.

Language Proficiency

• You must take a recognized language test to assess your proficiency in English or French.
• The minimum required score in all four language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) is CLB 4 based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB).

Commitment to Residing in New Brunswick

You must demonstrate a genuine intention and ability to live and work permanently in New Brunswick.

Supporting Documents to Prove Your Commitment:

• Current and future employment in New Brunswick (Job offer, employment contract, pay stubs)
• Proof of residence in New Brunswick (Rental or property ownership records)
• Family or educational ties to New Brunswick
• Steps taken to settle permanently (e.g., buying property, opening a bank account in New Brunswick)
• Participation in social activities (Membership in local associations, volunteer activities)
• Professional networks and job affiliations (Membership in provincial work or professional organizations)
• Your primary focus must be New Brunswick, not other provinces in Canada.

Age Requirement

• You must be at least 19 years old.

Steps to Apply for the New Brunswick Skilled Worker Program

To obtain permanent residency in New Brunswick through the Skilled Worker Program, follow these steps:

Step 1: Obtain a Job Offer

First, you must receive a valid full-time job offer from an eligible employer in New Brunswick.

Step 2: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the INB System

Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Immigration New Brunswick (INB) system.

Step 3: Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Step 4: Submit a Provincial Nomination Application

After receiving the ITA, submit your official application for provincial nomination.

Step 5: Wait for Application Assessment

After submission, your application will be reviewed by New Brunswick immigration authorities (ImmigrationNB).

Step 6: Receive a Decision from ImmigrationNB

New Brunswick Immigration will issue a final decision on your application.

Step 7: Apply for Permanent Residence to IRCC

If you receive provincial nomination, you must submit your permanent residence application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Step 8: Receive a Decision from IRCC

IRCC will assess your application and make a final decision on your permanent residency status.

Step 9: Arrive in New Brunswick and Report to ImmigrationNB

Once you receive final approval and permanent residency, you must report your arrival to New Brunswick and start your settlement process.