First Steps

New Brunswick offers pathways to permanent residence (PR) for foreign workers with the skills, education, and work experience needed to settle in the province and contribute to its economy.

When applying, you must be “PR ready.” This means that you have ensured that you meet all eligibility requirements and that have gathered all the required documents to submit a complete application to Immigration New Brunswick (ImmigrationNB) and to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

1. Read the guide

Each of our economic immigration streams has specific eligibility requirements for age, language level, education, and work experience. Review the guide for your chosen stream to understand its eligibility requirements. Ensure that you meet these requirements before starting to prepare your application..

2. Gather the necessary documents

Consult the document checklist in the guide for your chosen stream to ensure that you have all the documents you need to submit a complete application to ImmigrationNB.

Identity documents: Gather all identity and civil status documents for yourself and your family members (your spouse or common-law partner, and any dependent children). You and all accompanying family members must have valid passports.

Education credentials: The required level of education is specified in the guide for your chosen stream. If your credentials are from outside of Canada, you will need to an educational credential assessment (ECA) for immigration purposes. The ECA will indicate the Canadian equivalency of your education. Contact any of the following designated organizations to begin the assessment process:

• World Education Services (WES)
• Comparative Education Service (CES)
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
• International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
• International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)

Language testing: In most cases, you will need to take an approved language test in English or French, administered by one of the designated testing agencies listed below.

• IELTS General Training
• CELPIP
• PTE Core
• TEF Canada
• TCF Canada

Your test report must be valid (less than 2 years old) when you submit a complete application to ImmigrationNB. Sometimes you may also need a valid test report when applying to IRCC.

When assessing your language score, we convert it into the corresponding Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB).  Refer to the stream guide to verify the minimum CLB required. Your employer may require a higher score than the minimum requirement for immigration.

Reference letters: Provide reference letters that verify your work experience. Talk to your current and previous employers about obtaining a letter that meets the requirements for immigration to Canada.

Each letter should be printed on the organization’s letterhead and include the following elements:

• Your name
• The organization’s address, telephone number, email address, and website
• Official seal (if applicable).
• The name, title, and signature of your immediate supervisor or of an authorized person of the organization

Each letter should include the following details of your employment:

• Specific period you worked for the organization
• All positions held and time spent in each position
• Your duties and responsibilities in each position
• Number of work hours per week
• Annual salary and benefits

3. Know your National Occupational Classification (NOC) code

The NOC is Canada’s national system for describing occupations. Similar jobs with similar duties and educational requirements are grouped together under the same code. We use this system to determine whether you will be able to contribute to New Brunswick’s economy.

Consult the NOC website to find the NOC code that matches your job duties and work experience.

4. Consult IRCC’s guide and checklist

Confirm which documents you need to gather to submit your PR application to IRCC. This is part of being “PR ready.”

Note:

• If applying under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), consult this guide and document checklist.
• If applying through NB Express Entry stream of the NBPNP, refer to the Express Entry guide and checklist instead.
• If applying under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), see the AIP guide and checklist.

If you are nominated or endorsed by New Brunswick, you must apply to IRCC for permanent residence before the expiry date on your nomination or endorsement certificate. You must maintain the conditions of your nomination or endorsement while waiting for a decision on your PR application. You, your spouse, and your dependent child or children must meet all federal requirements for medical, security, and criminal admissibility. Being nominated or endorsed by New Brunswick does not guarantee approval. IRCC has the final say on your PR application.