New Brunswick recently conducted a multi-provincial immigration screening from July 16 to July 22, resulting in the issuance of 750 invitations. This initiative is part of the broader efforts to attract skilled workers and immigrants to the province.
The invitations were distributed through two main channels: the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP). Within the NBPNP, candidates were selected from three distinct streams: the New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream, the New Brunswick Strategic Initiative, and the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream.
Details of the Draws
All draws included invitations for healthcare workers, but the range of other eligible occupations varied by selection round. From July 16 to July 18, two rounds under the skilled worker stream were conducted, during which a total of 267 invitations were issued across all three channels.
Overview of Skilled Worker Flow
The July 16-18 rounds focused on New Brunswick’s priorities, inviting candidates from occupations such as construction, healthcare, education, social and community services, manufacturing, professional and IT roles, sales and service, and transportation. Each lottery had specific closing dates: for the draws conducted during this period, the deadline was July 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM AST, with a separate closing time for invitations from the July 18 draw.
The New Brunswick Experience Pathway targets individuals currently residing and working in the province who have maintained full-time employment with an eligible employer for at least six months. On the other hand, the New Brunswick Preferred Pathway is designed for foreign nationals with a full-time job offer from a qualified employer, where the role is classified under a preferential National Occupational Classification (NOC) and the candidate possesses relevant experience.
Strategic Initiatives Flow
On July 16, a draw was held under the Strategic Initiatives stream to identify candidates through two of the three routes available. Invitations under this program specifically focused on Francophone workers, with a notable emphasis on candidates in education, social and community services, healthcare, manufacturing, professional and IT categories, and sales and service sectors.
The Francophone Worker Pathway is meant for French-speaking foreign nationals who are either currently employed or have job offers from eligible employers in New Brunswick. Meanwhile, the Francophone Priority Pathway caters to those with a strong connection to the province, including graduates from approved post-secondary programs and individuals invited by the New Brunswick Immigration Department.
Express Entry Stream Selection
The selection round conducted on July 16 had the fewest number of candidates among the NBPNP draws, focusing on individuals through the Express Entry stream. A total of 115 invitations were issued, targeting job categories similar to those in the skilled worker stream.
Atlantic Immigration Program Overview
On July 22, New Brunswick organized a lottery for AIP candidates across a diverse array of occupations, marking it as the third largest AIP-specific lottery in 2026. This draw included various fields such as the construction industry, healthcare, and manufacturing, with invitations issued to 114 candidates.
The AIP provides a pathway to permanent residence for foreign nationals who secure job offers from designated employers in regions like New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, or Prince Edward Island. To qualify, job openings must receive state approval, and candidates must fulfill specific requirements, including language proficiency, relevant work experience, educational background, and financial resources.
