New Brunswick Immigration Draw Updates for May 2026
New Brunswick Issued 373 Immigration Invitations in Latest Draws
Between April 30 and May 3, 2026, New Brunswick invited a total of 373 candidates through different immigration programs. The province selected candidates under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
As a result, many skilled workers, graduates, and French-speaking candidates received opportunities to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Immigration Streams That Selected Candidates
During these selection rounds, New Brunswick selected candidates through:
- New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
- New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream
- New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
Additionally, these draws became important because New Brunswick announced major changes to one of its pathways starting May 4, 2026.
Skilled Worker Stream Selected the Highest Number of Candidates
The Skilled Worker Stream selected the largest number of candidates during these draws.
In total, the province invited 200 candidates through two pathways:
- New Brunswick Experience pathway
- New Brunswick Graduates pathway
First Draw Focused on Healthcare Workers
On May 1, 2026, the province targeted candidates working in healthcare occupations.
- Total invitations: 87
Second Draw Covered All Sectors
Then, on May 3, 2026, New Brunswick targeted candidates from all occupational sectors.
- Total invitations: 113
As a result, workers from different industries received invitations before new restrictions came into effect.
New Restrictions Started From May 4
Earlier this month, New Brunswick announced changes to the New Brunswick Experience pathway.
Starting May 4, 2026, the province started focusing mainly on three sectors:
- Healthcare
- Education
- Construction trades
Therefore, candidates working outside these sectors may not receive invitations until further notice.
The province introduced these restrictions because of limited nomination spaces.
Who Can Apply Under the Skilled Worker Stream?
The New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream helps foreign workers who:
- Already work in New Brunswick, or
- Have a valid job offer from an eligible employer in the province
This pathway helps employers hire skilled international workers to fill labour shortages.
Strategic Initiative Stream Focused on French-Speaking Candidates
Meanwhile, New Brunswick selected 106 candidates through the Strategic Initiative Stream.
The province selected candidates through:
- Francophone Workers in New Brunswick pathway
- New Brunswick Francophone Priorities pathway
However, officials did not share the exact number of invitations under each pathway.
This stream mainly targets French-speaking foreign nationals who already have connections to New Brunswick.
Express Entry Stream Selected 17 Candidates
In addition, New Brunswick invited 17 candidates through the Express Entry Stream.
This stream connects directly with Canada’s federal Express Entry system and targets skilled workers with active Express Entry profiles.
Basic Requirements for This Stream
Usually, candidates must:
- Live in New Brunswick for at least 12 months
- Work full-time in a skilled non-seasonal job
- Complete at least 12 months of eligible work experience in the province
Most importantly, candidates who receive a provincial nomination gain 600 additional CRS points.
As a result, their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence increase significantly.
Atlantic Immigration Program Selected 50 Candidates
On May 1, New Brunswick also conducted a draw under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
The province targeted candidates working in:
- Transportation
- Manufacturing
- Construction trades
The AIP helps Atlantic Canadian employers hire skilled foreign workers and international graduates.
This program operates across four Atlantic provinces:
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
- Newfoundland and Labrador
Eligibility Requirements for the AIP
To qualify under the Atlantic Immigration Program, candidates generally must:
- Receive a job offer from a designated employer
- Meet language requirements
- Show relevant work experience
- Meet education requirements
- Obtain provincial endorsement
Additionally, the program accepts foreign nationals outside Canada, even without Canadian work experience.
However, current federal processing times for the AIP are around 40 months.
Meanwhile, eligible applicants may still receive a temporary two-year work permit while waiting for permanent residence processing.
Final Thoughts
Overall, New Brunswick’s latest immigration draws created opportunities for skilled workers, graduates, and French-speaking candidates across multiple pathways.
At the same time, the province now focuses more heavily on priority sectors like healthcare, education, and construction trades because of limited nomination spaces.
Therefore, candidates planning to immigrate through New Brunswick should stay updated on changing eligibility rules and pathway requirements.\
Get in touch with SPS Global
Receive advice on any of your questions regarding immigration. Get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Global. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).
