New Brunswick has continued its provincial immigration activity by issuing 610 invitations and selections across four immigration rounds held between September 10 and September 18, 2026. The invitations were distributed through multiple immigration pathways, including the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
These September rounds marked the province’s first invitations since the Atlantic Immigration Program selections made in August and demonstrate New Brunswick’s continued focus on attracting skilled workers who can help meet labour market demands.
For individuals planning to immigrate to Canada, understanding how New Brunswick selects candidates can help determine which pathway may offer the best opportunity.
September 2026 Draw Overview
Between September 10 and September 18, New Brunswick conducted four separate immigration rounds across its active intake streams.
September 2026 Results at a Glance
| Draw Date | Immigration Stream | Invitations |
|---|---|---|
| September 17 | Express Entry Stream | 102 |
| September 15–18 | Skilled Worker Stream | 197 |
| September 11 | Strategic Initiative | 251 |
| September 10 | Atlantic Immigration Program | 60 |
| Total | 610 |
Each round targeted different groups of applicants based on provincial priorities and workforce needs.
Strategic Initiative Draw Issued the Most Invitations
The largest round took place on September 11, when 251 invitations were issued through the Strategic Initiative stream.
This round focused on two Francophone pathways:
- Francophone Workers in New Brunswick
- New Brunswick Francophone Priorities
Candidates whose profiles met the provincial requirements before the September 8 cut-off were considered during this invitation round.
New Brunswick has continued to support French-speaking immigration as part of its broader strategy to strengthen Francophone communities across the province.
Skilled Worker Stream Invited 197 Candidates
Between September 15 and September 18, the province invited 197 candidates through the New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream.
The invitations were issued under two pathways:
New Brunswick Graduates
New Brunswick Experience
Unlike previous rounds, this draw focused on specific occupational categories rather than inviting across all sectors.
Occupations Selected
The September Skilled Worker round included candidates working in:
- Construction
- Education
- Social and Community Services
- Manufacturing
- Other Skilled Trades
- Professional Occupations
- Information Technology
- Sales and Services
One notable difference from earlier draws was that transportation occupations were not included, even though transportation had appeared in other September invitation rounds.
This highlights how New Brunswick regularly adjusts its occupation priorities based on current labour shortages.
Express Entry Stream Issued 102 Invitations
On September 17, New Brunswick invited 102 candidates through its Express Entry Stream under the Employment in New Brunswick pathway.
Candidates considered in this draw had profiles meeting the provincial cut-off established for September 13.
For Express Entry candidates, receiving a provincial nomination from New Brunswick can significantly improve their chances of receiving permanent residence.
Why an Express Entry Nomination Matters
A successful nomination through New Brunswick’s Express Entry Stream provides:
600 additional CRS points
a dramatic increase in overall Express Entry score
a strong position for receiving a federal Invitation to Apply (ITA)
For many candidates with moderate CRS scores, a provincial nomination becomes one of the fastest routes toward Canadian permanent residence.
Atlantic Immigration Program Selected 60 Applications
New Brunswick also processed 60 applications through the Atlantic Immigration Program on September 10.
Unlike the Provincial Nominee Program, the Atlantic Immigration Program works differently.
Applicants enter the AIP pool after submitting a complete application together with a designated employer.
The province then selects eligible applications from that pool for processing.
This employer-driven immigration pathway remains an important option for individuals who have secured employment with designated Atlantic employers.
Health Care Occupations Were Absent
One interesting feature of September’s immigration activity was the absence of health care occupations from the selected categories.
Earlier rounds in July had included several health care occupations, but none appeared in the four September rounds.
This does not necessarily mean health care workers are no longer eligible.
Instead, it demonstrates how New Brunswick changes invitation priorities depending on:
labour shortages
employer demand
available nomination allocations
provincial workforce planning
Occupation priorities can shift from one draw to the next.
September Compared with July
September’s invitation activity was slightly smaller than July’s.
| Month | Total Invitations |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 750 |
| September 2026 | 610 |
Although fewer invitations were issued overall, New Brunswick continued using multiple immigration pathways to attract workers with different backgrounds and skills.
How New Brunswick Selects Candidates
Understanding New Brunswick’s selection process is important before submitting an application.
The province operates separate intake systems for different immigration programs.
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program
For the NBPNP, candidates generally submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the provincial immigration portal.
Key features include:
- profile validity for up to 365 days
- provincial review based on labour market needs
- invitations issued according to available allocations
- occupation-specific selections when required
Submitting an Expression of Interest does not automatically guarantee an invitation.
Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program follows a different process.
Instead of submitting only an Expression of Interest, applicants typically:
- receive support from a designated employer
- submit a complete application
- enter the AIP candidate pool
- wait for provincial selection
Applications that remain unselected generally expire after one year.
Why Labour Market Needs Matter
New Brunswick does not conduct every draw using identical criteria.
Instead, officials evaluate several factors before issuing invitations.
These may include:
- current labour shortages
- employer hiring needs
- available provincial nomination spaces
- economic priorities
- occupation demand
- regional workforce requirements
This explains why some occupations appear repeatedly while others may not be selected during a particular round.
Benefits of New Brunswick Immigration
New Brunswick continues attracting newcomers because it offers opportunities across multiple industries while maintaining a lower cost of living than many larger Canadian cities.
Popular advantages include:
- growing job opportunities
- affordable housing compared with larger metropolitan areas
- expanding technology sector
- manufacturing employment
- skilled trades demand
- welcoming communities
- multiple immigration pathways
Cities such as Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John continue attracting newcomers through both provincial and Atlantic immigration programs.
Is the New Brunswick PNP Right for You?
The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program may be suitable for individuals who:
- have work experience in eligible occupations
- qualify under Express Entry
- have studied in New Brunswick
- have gained work experience within the province
- meet language requirements
- satisfy provincial eligibility criteria
Because invitation priorities change throughout the year, staying informed about upcoming draws is important.
Tips Before Applying
If you’re considering New Brunswick immigration, preparation can improve your chances.
Helpful steps include:
- create or update your Express Entry profile if eligible
- calculate your CRS score
- prepare language test results
- organize educational credential assessments where required
- gather employment documents
- monitor provincial draw announcements
Having documentation ready can help you respond quickly if an invitation is issued.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many invitations did New Brunswick issue in September 2026?
The province issued 610 invitations and selections across four immigration rounds.
Which stream issued the most invitations?
The Strategic Initiative stream issued the highest number with 251 invitations.
How many Express Entry invitations were issued?
New Brunswick issued 102 Express Entry invitations through the Employment in New Brunswick pathway.
Does a provincial nomination improve CRS score?
Yes. A nomination through New Brunswick’s Express Entry Stream adds 600 CRS points, greatly increasing the likelihood of receiving a federal Invitation to Apply.
Can occupations change between draws?
Yes. New Brunswick regularly changes occupational priorities based on provincial labour market needs and available nomination spaces.
How New Jain Immigration Services Can Help
Navigating provincial immigration programs can be challenging because eligibility requirements, occupation priorities, and invitation rounds change throughout the year.
New Jain Immigration Services assists individuals exploring Canadian immigration pathways by providing guidance on:
- New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program
- Express Entry applications
- Atlantic Immigration Program
- CRS score assessment
- document preparation
- immigration pathway selection
Whether you’re applying from Brampton, Toronto, Mississauga, or outside Canada, staying informed about provincial immigration updates can help you prepare for future invitation rounds and strengthen your application.
