NBPNP

Overview

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) is an economic immigration program that allows the province of New Brunswick to nominate individuals who meet specific criteria to the federal government for permanent residency. The program is designed to address specific labour market needs and economic development priorities within New Brunswick.

How it works

The NBPNP operates through several streams, each targeting different groups of immigrants, including skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and international graduates. Applicants first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) or a direct application to the Government of New Brunswick, depending on the stream. If nominated by the province, applicants can then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residency. New Brunswick's nomination significantly increases the chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residency from IRCC.

Who it's for

This program is for skilled workers who have a valid job offer from a New Brunswick employer, individuals with experience in high-demand occupations, international graduates from New Brunswick post-secondary institutions, and entrepreneurs looking to establish and operate a business in the province. It caters to those who intend to reside permanently in New Brunswick and contribute to its economic and social fabric.

To be eligible for the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), applicants must meet the specific criteria of the stream they are applying under. General requirements often include:

• Intention to Reside: Applicants must demonstrate a genuine intention to live and work in New Brunswick.
• Age: Typically, applicants must be between 19 and 55 years of age at the time of application.
• Language Proficiency: A minimum level of proficiency in English or French, as demonstrated by recognized language tests (e.g., IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, TCF), is usually required. The specific CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) level varies by stream.
• Education: A minimum level of education, often a high school diploma or equivalent, is required, with post-secondary education often preferred or necessary for certain streams. Educational credentials obtained outside Canada typically need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
• Work Experience: Relevant work experience, usually at least one year in a skilled occupation (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3), is a common requirement. Some streams may require a job offer from a New Brunswick employer.
• Settlement Funds: Applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves and their family upon arrival in New Brunswick, without recourse to public funds. The amount required is based on the size of the family unit, as determined by IRCC's Low Income Cut-Offs (LICOs).
• Adaptability: Some streams consider adaptability factors, such as previous work or study in New Brunswick, family ties in the province, or a spouse's language proficiency, which can enhance an applicant's chances.

The required documents for the NBPNP vary depending on the specific stream. However, common documents generally include:

• Identity and Civil Status Documents: Valid passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), and any divorce certificates or death certificates of former spouses.
• Educational Documents: Diplomas, degrees, transcripts, and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) reports for foreign credentials.
• Language Proficiency Results: Original test results from approved language tests (e.g., IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, TCF).
• Work Experience Documents: Letters of employment from previous employers, pay stubs, reference letters, and job descriptions.
• Job Offer (if applicable): A valid job offer from a New Brunswick employer, including the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) if required.
• Proof of Funds: Bank statements, investment certificates, or other verifiable proof of sufficient settlement funds.
• Residency Documents: Proof of intent to reside in New Brunswick, such as a lease agreement or property ownership (if already in NB).
• Family Information: Documents for accompanying family members, including passports, birth certificates, and marriage certificates.
• Police Certificates: Criminal record checks from all countries where the applicant has lived for six months or more since the age of 18.
• Medical Exam Results: Confirmation of completion of upfront medical examinations (if required).

The application process for the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) generally involves the following steps, though specific requirements may vary by stream:

1. Research Streams and Eligibility: Identify the NBPNP stream that best matches your qualifications, work experience, and immigration goals. Carefully review the eligibility criteria for that specific stream.
2. Prepare Documents: Gather all necessary supporting documents, including educational credentials, language test results, work experience letters, identity documents, and proof of funds.
3. Submit Expression of Interest (EOI) or Direct Application: Depending on the stream, applicants may need to submit an Expression of Interest to the Government of New Brunswick. For other streams, a direct application might be required. The EOI is not an application but a way for the province to assess your profile and potentially invite you to apply.
4. Receive Invitation to Apply (ITA) or Letter of Interest (LOI): If your EOI is selected, you will receive an invitation to submit a full application to the NBPNP. For some streams, a Letter of Interest may be issued.
5. Submit Provincial Application: Complete and submit your comprehensive application to the Government of New Brunswick, along with all supporting documents and the provincial processing fee (if any).
6. Provincial Nomination: If your application is approved, New Brunswick will issue you a Provincial Nomination Certificate. This certificate is crucial for your permanent residency application to the federal government.
7. Submit Federal Permanent Residency Application: With your Provincial Nomination Certificate, you can then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residency. This application package will include all required federal forms, police certificates, medical examination results, and proof of funds.
8. Biometrics and Medical Exams: Follow IRCC instructions for submitting biometrics (fingerprints and photo) and undergoing a medical examination with an IRCC-approved panel physician.
9. Decision on Permanent Residency: IRCC will review your application and make a final decision. If approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa (if applicable).

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) allows principal applicants to include their accompanying family members in their permanent residency application. Eligible accompanying family members typically include:

• Spouse or Common-law Partner: Your legally married spouse or common-law partner.
• Dependent Children: Your own children or those of your spouse/common-law partner, who are under 22 years of age and do not have a spouse or common-law partner. Children who are 22 years of age or older may be considered dependent if they meet specific criteria, such as being unable to financially support themselves due to a mental or physical condition.

All accompanying family members must meet IRCC's eligibility and admissibility requirements, including medical and criminal checks. Including family members in the application allows them to also obtain Canadian permanent residency upon approval, granting them the ability to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada.

Upon receiving a provincial nomination from New Brunswick, applicants who are outside Canada or are in Canada on a temporary status may be eligible to apply for a temporary work permit. This allows them to come to New Brunswick and start working while their permanent residency application is being processed by IRCC. Spouses or common-law partners of principal applicants who receive an employer-specific work permit may also be eligible for an open work permit, allowing them to work for any employer in New Brunswick.

It is important to note that a provincial nomination does not automatically grant a work permit. A separate application to IRCC is required, and specific criteria must be met for the work permit to be issued.

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) is a direct pathway to Canadian permanent residency. A successful nomination from the province of New Brunswick awards applicants additional points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) if they are in the Express Entry pool, or allows them to apply directly to IRCC for permanent residency under a non-Express Entry PNP stream. This provincial nomination significantly increases an applicant's chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency from IRCC.

Once nominated, applicants submit their permanent residency application to the federal government. If approved, they and their accompanying family members will be granted permanent resident status in Canada, providing them with the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada, and eventually apply for Canadian citizenship.

Common reasons for refusal under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) or the subsequent federal permanent residency application include:

• Incomplete Application: Failing to provide all required documents or information as per the checklist and program guidelines.
• Misrepresentation: Providing false information or misrepresenting facts in the application, which can lead to a ban from applying for Canadian immigration for several years.
• Failure to Meet Eligibility Criteria: Not meeting the minimum requirements for the chosen stream, such as age, language proficiency, education, work experience, or settlement funds.
• Lack of Genuine Intent to Reside: Not convincingly demonstrating a genuine intention to live and work in New Brunswick.
• Inadmissibility: Failing medical or criminal background checks conducted by IRCC. This includes undisclosed health conditions that could pose a risk to public health or safety, or excessive demand on health or social services, as well as criminal convictions.
• Job Offer Issues (if applicable): The job offer not being genuine, not meeting the required skill level, or the employer not meeting provincial criteria.
• Insufficient Funds: Not demonstrating adequate settlement funds to support oneself and accompanying family members upon arrival in Canada.
• Outdated Information: Submitting an application with expired documents or information that is no longer current.