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New Brunswick Issues 622 Invitations Across Four Immigration Draws
The province of New Brunswick has released the results of several new immigration draws conducted between March 3 and March 6, 2026, issuing 622 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates.
These invitations were issued through the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). The draws were conducted using an Expression of Interest (EOI) system, which helps the province identify candidates whose skills align with regional labour market needs.
With these latest selections, New Brunswick has invited a total of 1,523 candidates so far in 2026, demonstrating the province’s ongoing reliance on immigration to address workforce shortages.
Breakdown of Invitations Issued
The invitations issued in the latest draws were distributed across several immigration pathways.
The breakdown includes:
- New Brunswick Express Entry Stream – Employment in New Brunswick: 29 invitations
- New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream – NB Graduates and NB Experience pathways: 279 invitations
- New Brunswick Strategic Initiative – Francophone Workers and Francophone Priorities: 189 invitations
Atlantic Immigration Program: 125 invitations
These draws targeted candidates working in sectors that are experiencing labour shortages within the province.
Occupations Targeted in the Latest Draws
New Brunswick selected candidates from a variety of industries critical to its economy.
The occupations targeted during these draws included:
- Healthcare professionals
- Education and community service workers
- Construction trades
- Professional occupations
- Transportation workers
- Manufacturing employees
By focusing on these sectors, the province aims to ensure that immigration supports both economic growth and community development.
Understanding the Expression of Interest System
New Brunswick manages most of its provincial immigration programs through an Expression of Interest system.
Under this system, candidates must first submit an EOI profile through the Immigration New Brunswick portal. The profile provides information about the candidate’s work experience, education, language ability, and connection to the province.
Once submitted, the EOI remains valid for 365 days.
During this period, provincial authorities review profiles and select candidates whose skills best match labour market priorities.
Receiving an invitation allows the candidate to submit a complete immigration application for provincial nomination.
However, it is important to note that meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee an invitation, and receiving an invitation does not guarantee nomination approval.
Role of the Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program plays a major role in attracting skilled workers to Canada’s Atlantic provinces.
Unlike many other immigration programs, the AIP requires:
- A job offer from a designated employer
- Provincial endorsement of the job offer
The program is designed to help employers in Atlantic Canada recruit international workers to fill positions that cannot easily be filled locally.
Industries that frequently rely on the program include healthcare, construction, transportation, manufacturing, and education.
Maintaining Work Authorization During the Process
Immigration authorities in New Brunswick remind candidates that they are responsible for maintaining valid work authorization while their immigration application is processed.
Because provincial nomination processes can take time, applicants must ensure that their work permits remain valid throughout the immigration process.
The province also notes that it cannot guarantee processing timelines for individual applications.
Immigration’s Role in New Brunswick’s Economy
New Brunswick continues to rely heavily on immigration to support population growth and address labour shortages.
Many industries in the province face workforce challenges due to an ageing population and limited local labour supply.
Through programs like the NBPNP and the Atlantic Immigration Program, the province can select candidates with skills that match economic needs.
As immigration targets increase across Canada, New Brunswick is expected to continue using these programs to attract talent and support long-term economic development.
1. How many invitations did New Brunswick issue in the latest immigration draws
New Brunswick issued 622 invitations between March 3 and March 6, 2026. These invitations were distributed across several immigration streams under the NBPNP and the Atlantic Immigration Program.
2. What immigration streams were included in the draws?
The invitations were issued through the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream, the Skilled Worker Stream, the Strategic Initiative for Francophone workers, and the Atlantic Immigration Program.
3. What occupations were targeted in the draws?
The province selected candidates working in sectors such as healthcare, construction trades, education, social services, professional occupations, transportation, and manufacturing.
4. Does receiving an invitation guarantee nomination?
No. Receiving an invitation allows a candidate to submit a full application, but provincial authorities must still review the application before approving nomination.
