New Brunswick Issued 379 Invitations Across Three Draws Held January 13-15, 2026

New Brunswick has opened 2026 with a major multi-stream immigration round. Between January 13 and January 15, 2026, the province conducted three Expression of Interest draws under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program, issuing a total of 379 Invitations to Apply. The draws included 20 ITAs under the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream, 244 ITAs under the Skilled Worker stream, and 115 ITAs under a newly introduced Francophone priorities pathway. 

This marked the first time in NBPNP history that a Strategic Initiative draw focused exclusively on Francophone candidates, highlighting a major policy shift toward language-based selection. 

Breakdown of the January NBPNP Draws 

All three draws shared the same cut-off: 

• Cut-off date: January 12, 2026 

• Cut-off time: 11:59 pm AST 

The draws were structured as follows: 

New Brunswick Express Entry – Employment in New Brunswick 

• Invitations issued: 20 

• Occupations selected: All sectors 

New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream 

• Pathways: NB Experience and NB Graduates 

• Invitations issued: 244 

• Occupations selected: All sectors 

New Brunswick Strategic Initiative – Francophone Priorities 

• Invitations issued: 115 

• Occupations selected: All sectors 

How New Brunswick’s EOI system works 

Immigration New Brunswick uses an Expression of Interest system to manage demand. Candidates must first submit a profile through the INB portal. Only those selected by the province receive an invitation to submit a full application. 

Meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee selection, and receiving an invitation does not guarantee nomination. The province selects candidates based on: 

• Labour market demand 

• Available federal allocation 

• Strategic priorities set by the government 

This system allows New Brunswick to adapt quickly to workforce needs. 

Why the Francophone Draw Matters 

The Francophone priorities pathway represents a significant development. New Brunswick is Canada’s only officially bilingual province, and strengthening French-speaking communities has become a central immigration goal. 

By issuing 115 invitations in a single round, the province signaled that Francophone immigration will play a larger role in future selections. This aligns with federal targets to increase French-speaking immigration outside Quebec. 

What Candidates Should Know 

Candidates invited under any stream must submit a complete application under the specific pathway named in their invitation. Submitting under the wrong stream can result in refusal. 

Applicants should also ensure: 

• Language test results are valid 

• Invitation numbers are entered correctly 

• Licensing requirements are met for regulated occupations 

As 2026 unfolds, New Brunswick is expected to continue targeted, multi-stream draws rather than broad intake rounds. 

Outlook for 2026 

This opening round suggests New Brunswick will rely heavily on strategic selection rather than volume-based immigration. Francophone candidates and individuals with provincial work or study experience are likely to remain well-positioned. 

Want to Track New Brunswick PNP Draws and Francophone Pathways Closely? 

Follow Canada Immigration News for real-time NBPNP updates, draw breakdowns, and expert analysis on provincial immigration trends.