New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot

The New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot Program is a five-year pilot program that addresses critical labour shortages in various sectors and across different regions in the province. The pilot program was created to attract skilled workers to occupations that have been, and will continue to be, difficult to fill in New Brunswick in the years to come.

The New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot is an employer-driven stream, based on targeted recruitment for skilled workers and therefore candidate applications to the pilot program are made through the participating employer. The program does not accept direct applications from interested candidates.

Employers participating in the pilot program are selected based on demonstrated experience and consistent use of both provincial and federal economic immigration programs over, at least, the past three (3) years, as well as on those employers’ demonstrated ability to provide enhanced supports around newcomer settlement, skills development, and language training for employees.

The pilot program remains limited in its scope, and as such, it is not currently open to broader participation. We will be regularly evaluating the performance of this pilot program, and opportunities for participation may present themselves in the future.

Employers interested in learning about how New Brunswick’s economic immigration programs may be able to support their workforce needs can visit our Employer Roles and Responsibilities page.

Participating Employers

• Cooke Aquaculture
• J.D. Irving Ltd.
• Groupe Savoie
• Groupe Westco
• Imperial Manufacturing Group
• McCain Foods, Ltd.

The New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot is an employer-driven stream, based on targeted recruitment for skilled workers and therefore candidate applications to the pilot program are made through the participating employer. The program does not accept direct applications from interested candidates.

There is no requirement under this program to send your résumé to Immigration NB.

• To learn about job opportunities that may be available to you in New Brunswick, please visit www.nbjobs.ca.
• To learn more about New Brunswick’s economic immigration programs, please visit our Immigration Program Streams and you can always get in touch with our Immigration Navigation Service.
• To learn more about upcoming information and recruitment events, please visit our events page.

Step 1: Accept an offer from a participating employer.

Step 2: Create and Expression of Interest (EOI).

Step 3: Submit an application to the Government of New Brunswick.

Step 4: Additional information for submitting your application. 

Step 5: Settlement plan.

Step 6: Submit your permanent residence application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Step 7: Receive a decision from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Before applying to the Critical Worker Pilot Program:

• You must accept a genuine offer of full-time (non-seasonal), permanent (indeterminate) employment from a Critical Worker Pilot Program participating employer.

When applying to any of New Brunswick’s immigration streams, you must:

• Meet all minimum eligibility requirements and selection factors.
• Have all the required documents on hand to prepare and submit a complete and correct application to the Government of New Brunswick and to the Government of Canada.

Being PR Ready means more efficient processing, fewer delays, and a better experience navigating the New Brunswick and Canadian immigration programs. To make sure you are PR Ready, please visit our first steps page to learn about what you need to know before applying for Immigration Program Streams.

Guides

• NB Critical Worker Pilot Program Guide
• NB Provincial Nominee Program: Post-Nomination Guide

INB Information

• INB Portal
• INB User Guide for Applicants
• INB User Guide for Representatives

If you experience or notice any technical issues with INB, please contact [email protected]

1. Read Our Guide

The New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot Guide provides comprehensive information on the program. Please read it carefully before applying. Topics covered include eligibility requirements, selection factors, the application process, and other important information.

2. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

If you are PR Ready and meet the eligibility criteria, you can create a candidate profile and complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the province through the INB Portal.

Upon successful completion of your EOI, your application will be placed in a pool of candidates. Candidates will be selected from this pool and invited to apply based on immigration allocations, application volumes, and New Brunswick labour market needs.

3. Receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If you are selected, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from your employer in your INB account. You will need to show proof of the information submitted in your profile. You are required to submit a complete electronic application within 45 calendar days of being issued an ITA.

4. Complete Your Electronic Application

The application and all supporting documents must be submitted electronically through your INB account. All documents must be provided as PDF files. Make sure your application is complete and includes all mandatory forms and documents.

Submitting an application and meeting the eligibility requirements for the Critical Worker Pilot Program does NOT guarantee a nomination. The Government of New Brunswick reserves the right to change criteria and/or pause streams. 

5. Pay the Processing Fee

Before submitting your complete application, you must pay your fees through your online account. Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children are included in the processing fee. Processing fees are non-refundable. The Canadian $250 processing fee is payable by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, INTERAC Online or Visa/Debit.

6. Wait for a Decision

Your application will be assessed according to eligibility requirements and selection factors. Opportunities New Brunswick will advise you of the final decision in writing and upload that decision to your online profile’s dashboard. The decision to issue a nomination certificate will be at the sole discretion Opportunities New Brunswick. If you are nominated you can apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Permanent Residence (PR). Remember, you must maintain the conditions of your nomination while you are awaiting a decision on your PR application.

Forms to Submit with Your Online Application

• NBPNP-005 Consent and Declaration (Required)
• NB-007 Use of Representative (If applicable)
• NB-025 INB Enrolment Form for Authorized Representatives (If applicable)
• NB-008 Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (If applicable)
• NB-009 Declaration Non-accompanying Parent/Guardian for Minors Immigrating to Canada (If applicable)

If you are granted a nomination by the Government of New Brunswick, you are required to apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Permanent Residence (PR). Remember, you must maintain the conditions of your nomination while you are awaiting a decision on your PR application. The nomination certificate will be valid for six months from the date of issuance and is considered valid if you submit a complete application for PR before the expiry date on the nomination certificate.

For more information on how to apply for permanent residency, visit immigrate as a provincial nominee (non-Express Entry process).

Other Forms

• NB-011 Request to withdraw your application (If applicable)
• NB-21 Post Nomination request Form (If applicable)