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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 factorMaximum Points
Age10
Language35
Education25
Work Experience10
Economic Benefit of Business10
Adaptability10
Total100 points (candidates must score at least 65)

Factor 1: Age

AgePoints
21 years or younger0
22-3410
35-405
41 or older0
Maximum points10

Factor 2: Language ability

LanguageCLBReadingWritingListeningSpeakingMaximum points
First official languageCLB 9+777728
CLB 86666
CLB 75555
Second official languageCLB 7+
5
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
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 DegreeAwarded 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 diplomasAt 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 degreeAwarded 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 DiplomaAwarded 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
Maximum points25

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
6 or more years in the last 10 years in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 310
1-5 years in the last 10 years in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 35
Maximum points10

Factor 5: Economic benefit of the business

Economic Benefit of the Business to New BrunswickPoints
Business is located outside of Fredricton, Moncton or Saint John5
Business is in the agricultural sector5
Business is in a priority sector, as defined by the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour5
Maximum points10

Factor 6: adaptability

Adaptability factorPoints
Spouse/common-law partner has at least one year of continuous full-time employment in New Brunswick5
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 abilities5
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
Maximum points10

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.

Eligibility criteria for businesses under New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial stream

Application process

Step 1: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the NBPNP

New Brunswick PNP accepts EOIs online using the Immigration New Brunswick online portal. The first step is to create and submit your EOI.

Step 2: Receive an invitation to apply for immigration to New Brunswick

Candidates selected from the pool will receive a written ITA in order to submit a full application to the NBPNP.

Step 3: Submit the application and conduct interview

It is important to answer all the questions in the form, provide the necessary documents in the required format, and sign the forms. Supporting documents that are in a language other than English or French must be translated by a certified translator or interpreter who is a member of a translation or interpretation provincial or territorial organization.

Applicants are responsible for providing and paying for an Audit Opinion and Special Purpose Report. The report must be completed by a New Brunswick designated Audit Service Verifier.

The Audit opinion will include an audit of the financial statements of the business and the Special Purpose Report must include the following:

  • The financial viability and sustainability of the business discussing any relevant issues affecting the business’ ability to continue in the near future as a going concern;
  • Recommendation for the business to improve its viability and sustainability;
  • A determination of any issues, challenges or concerns pertaining to auditing the financial statements; and
  • A business review which may include but is not limited to market analysis, product analysis, competitive analysis, and financial analysis.

Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements will be invited to participate in an in-person interview with a NBPNP Immigration Officer.

Applicants need to be available for an interview within 15 business days of receiving the request. The interview will include a site visit to the business. There are two possible outcomes following the interview:

  1. Refusal Decision: If the interview is unsuccessful, the applicant will receive a refusal letter from the Department with no possibility of appeal.
  2. Nomination Decision: If the interview is successful, the applicant will receive a nomination certificate which remains valid for six months from the date of issuance.

Step 4: Application to IRCC for permanent residence

Nominated applicants must submit a complete application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) prior to the expiry date indicated on the Nomination Certificate.

Step 5: Report landing

You must report your landing, in writing, within 30 days following your landing date to the Department using the Report Your Landing (NB013PGES) Form available here.

The business in New Brunswick must be operated for a minimum of three years after receiving permanent residence in Canada.

Stay up to date with all PNP options throughout Canada, including the New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial stream, with our PNP Live Tracker.

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