New Brunswick’s Second PNP Round for 2026 Issues 326 Invitations

The invitation rounds focused on applicants connected to New Brunswick through work and language-based pathways. Both rounds were targeted to specific program streams, while remaining open to candidates across all occupational sectors. 

Summary of the draw 

• Date: February 2, 2026 

• Invitations: 326 

• Programs: New Brunswick Express Entry Stream; New Brunswick Strategic Initiative 

• Targeted Round: Yes 

Invitation Breakdown by Stream 

New Brunswick Express Entry Stream 

New Brunswick issued 166 invitations through the Express Entry stream under the Employment in New Brunswick pathway. 

This invitation round considered candidates across all occupational sectors. To be eligible for consideration, profiles needed to meet the stream’s eligibility requirements and be submitted on or before the stated cut-off date. 

New Brunswick Strategic Initiative 

The province also issued 160 invitations through the New Brunswick Strategic Initiative. 

This round focused on the province’s francophone pathways, including New Brunswick Francophone Priorities and Francophone Workers in New Brunswick. Invitations were issued across all occupational sectors, with eligibility based on the requirements of the Strategic Initiative stream and the applicable pathway criteria. 

New Brunswick’s February 2026 PNP Draw Analysis

The February 2, 2026 draw marked the second set of Provincial Nominee Program invitations issued by New Brunswick this year. While the province issued fewer total invitations than in mid-January, the February round remained sizeable and focused on two established immigration streams. 

As shown in the chart above, New Brunswick issued 379 invitations across three programs during the January 13–15, 2026 draws. By comparison, the February 2 draw issued 326 invitations, spread across two programs rather than three. 

A key difference between the two periods is the mix of programs included. The January draws combined invitations from the Express Entry stream, the Skilled Worker stream, and the Strategic Initiative. In February, invitations were issued through the Express Entry stream and the Strategic Initiative only, with no Skilled Worker stream invitations recorded in that round. 

Across both months, New Brunswick continued to issue invitations without limiting selection to specific occupations. All invitation rounds in January and February listed all occupational sectors as eligible. 

The Strategic Initiative appeared in both invitation periods, though the pathways included under that stream differed. January invitations focused on francophone priorities, while the February round included both francophone priorities and francophone workers already in New Brunswick. The Express Entry stream also appeared in both January and February’s rounds, with a larger number of invitations issued in February than in January. 

New Brunswick Announces Significant Changes to its PNP  

From February 3, 2026, New Brunswick is tightening how it manages applications across several immigration pathways due to broader system-wide reductions. Under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), endorsement applications will now enter a candidate pool and be selected monthly based on provincial labour market priorities rather than on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications not selected within 365 days will expire and must be resubmitted.  

New employer designation applications have been paused, and ImmigrationNB plans to reassess existing employers and better align the program with economic needs. 

Alongside these structural changes, New Brunswick is narrowing eligibility by excluding specific types of roles. Jobs in accommodation and food services, as well as a range of lower-wage or high-volume occupations commonly found in retail, customer service, food processing, and similar sectors, are no longer being considered under the AIP, the New Brunswick Skilled Worker stream, or the New Brunswick Express Entry stream, with limited exceptions.

For candidates outside Canada, endorsements are now largely restricted to government-led recruitment initiatives in priority sectors such as health care, education, and construction trades. 

For insights like this delivered right to your inbox, join our community. With over 180k members, you’ll be in good company! Plus, you’ll regularly get all the latest news and tips covering immigration, careers, money, and life in Canada. 

Join us here 

Want more resources right now?

For more information: 

• Track PNPs with our Live PNP tracker  

Learn more about PNPs in our beginner’s guide