If you studied in New Brunswick and have an active business in the province, you might be a prime candidate for immigration to Canada through the New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial stream, part of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP).
Here’s the eligibility criteria:
- Be between 22-40 years of age.
- Have a score of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in speaking, listening, reading and writing competencies in English or French, proven with a language test (IELTS-General, CELPIP-General or TEF).
- Have completed a full-time New Brunswick post-secondary degree or diploma for at least two years (15 hours of class per week) from a recognized university or community college.
- Have resided in New Brunswick during the academic program (no distance-learning programs or compressed academic programs are eligible).
- Have owned and operated a business in New Brunswick for at least one full year (100% ownership of business equity).
- Have a valid post-graduation work permit.
- Demonstrate intent and ability to settle in New Brunswick.
- Have a minimum score of 65 out of 100 in the points assessment grid.
The New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) basis, whereby candidates must create a profile and receive an invitation to apply before they may apply to the NBPNP for provincial nomination.
New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial stream EOI points grid
The first step is to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form. An EOI is reviewed based on the following factors: age, language, education, work experience, the economic benefit of the business (to New Brunswick), and adaptability. Candidates are assigned a score based on the following:
| Selection factor | Maximum Points |
|---|---|
| Total | 100 points (candidates must score at least 65) |
| Age | 10 |
| Language | 35 |
| Education | 25 |
| Work Experience | 10 |
| Economic Benefit of Business | 10 |
| Adaptability | 10 |
Factor 1: Age
| Age | Points |
|---|---|
| Maximum points | 10 |
| 21 years or younger | 0 |
| 22-34 | 10 |
| 35-40 | 5 |
| 41 or older | 0 |
Factor 2: Language ability
| Language | CLB | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking | Maximum points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First official language | CLB 9+ | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| CLB 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | ||
| CLB 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | ||
| Second official language | CLB 7+ | 7 | ||||
Factor 3: Level of education
Note: Candidates with educational credentials exclusively outside New Brunswick are ineligible under the New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial stream. The term “equivalent” refers to the possibility for candidates to list any further educational credential obtained outside New Brunswick, for which an Educational Credential Assessment, or ECA, is required, in addition to the education completed in New Brunswick.
| Points | ||
|---|---|---|
| Maximum points | 25 | |
| Doctoral level university degree (Ph.D.) | Awarded by a New Brunswick university (a Master's degree must have been completed before the PhD). | 25 |
| Masters or Professional Degree | Awarded by a New Brunswick graduate college or university, after completion of a Bachelor’s degree *(Applicant possesses a professional degree and is licensed by the NB regulatory body in medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, podiatry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine or pharmacy.) | 23 |
| Two or more Canadian degrees or diplomas | At least one degree or diploma shall be awarded by a New Brunswick college or university that required at least 3 years of full-time study. | 22 |
| Post Secondary Academic degree | Awarded by a New Brunswick college or university for completion of an undergraduate curriculum that required at least 3 years of full-time study. | 21 |
| Post-Secondary Diploma | Awarded by a New Brunswick college or university in a specific trade that required at least 2 years of full-time study after high school. | 19 |
Factor 4: Work experience
Candidates are awarded points for work experience completed within the previous 10 years, excluding the one year or more of business operations in New Brunswick.
| Work Experience (last 10 years) | Points |
|---|---|
| Maximum points | 10 |
| 6 or more years in the last 10 years in NOC O, A or B | 10 |
| 1-5 years in the last 10 years in the NOC O, A or B | 5 |
Factor 5: Economic benefit of the business
| Economic Benefit of the Business to New Brunswick | Points |
|---|---|
| Maximum points | 10 |
| Business is located outside of Fredricton, Moncton or Saint John | 5 |
| Business is in the agricultural sector | 5 |
| Business is in a priority sector, as defined by the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour | 5 |
Factor 6: adaptability
| Adaptability factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Maximum points | 10 |
| Spouse/common-law partner has at least one year of continuous full-time employment in New Brunswick | 5 |
| Spouse/common-law partner has completed at least two years of full-time study, in a minimum two-year program at a post-secondary institution in New Brunswick with a valid study permit (if applicable) | 5 |
| Spouse/common-law partner meets the minimum level CLB 5 in English or French in all four language abilities | 5 |
| Applicant or spouse/common-law partner has a close family relative (son, daughter, brother, sister, mother, father, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew) who is a permanent resident or citizen of Canada (18+) living in New Brunswick for at least one year. | 10 |
| Applicant has additional job skills demonstrated through training or experience and supported by a post-secondary credential (i.e. certificate, diploma, degree) requiring at least one year of full-time study after high school. | 5 |
The business operation itself must also be considered eligible for the New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial stream. Click the slide directly below to learn more.
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