The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) has developed and launched its Express Entry Labour Market Stream. This stream allows the NBPNP to use the federal Express Entry immigration selection system to meet New Brunswick's specific labour market and demographic needs. This stream operates under an Expression of Interest (EOI) model.Candidates may complete an EOI form and send it to the NBPNP, which receives forms from the first to the 15th of each month. Candidates are assigned a score based on the information provided, after which they are assessed according to the following criteria:

• Highest score;
• Evidence of training and experience in a high priority sector as determined by the province;
• Demonstrated ability to become economically established in the province; and
• The likelihood of positively contributing to the provincial labour market.

The highest ranked candidates are invited to apply to the NBPNP by email. Applicants to the NBPNP will, if nominated, be processed through the federal government's Express Entry electronic immigration management system, which aims to process complete applications within six months of submission. 
Minimum Requirements
In order to be eligible for the NBPNP - EELMS, candidates must:

• Be between the ages of 22 and 55;
• Demonstrate proficiency in each of the four language abilities (speaking, reading, writing, and listening) equivalent to or greater than Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7. Language test results must be no more than two years old and must come from a designated agency: IELTS (General Training Test only) for English; CELPIP (General test only) for English; or TEF for French;
• Have a completed Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary educational credential (at least one academic year in length) OR a completed foreign educational credential from a recognized institution or authority. In the case of a foreign educational credential, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report, issued by an organization designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), is required;
• Have at least 12 months full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) paid skilled work experience in New Brunswick in the three years before the application is made, which cannot have been gained through self-employment or while you were a full-time student (volunteer work, unpaid internships, co-op terms, etc. do not count) and which is in NOC Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B;
• Sign and submit a Commitment to Live and Work in New Brunswick; and
• Show sufficient funds to support the settlement of themselves as well as all dependent family members.
• Proof of sufficient settlement funds is not necessary if the applicant has a valid job offer of arranged employment in Canada, or if he or she is currently working or authorized to work in Canada.

Selection Factors
Potential candidates must score at least 67 out of 100 points on a points grid that measures education, language ability, work experience, age, adaptability factors, and whether the candidate has an arranged job offer from a New Brunswick-based employer.

Factor 1: Education
You must have a completed Canadian secondary or post-secondary educational credential OR a completed foreign educational credential from a recognized institution or authority AND an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report issued by an organization designated by IRCC.
An ECA is used to verify that your foreign degree, diploma, certificate (or other proof of your credential) is valid and equal to a completed credential in Canada. The ECA report will also indicate the authenticity of your foreign educational credential(s).

Factor 2: Language Ability in English and/or French
You can earn up to 28 points for your skills in English and French. You will be given points based on your abilities in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. You can also earn points for your official second language capacity. If you want to earn points for your skills in both English and French, you must provide your language test results from designated testing agencies:
Calculate your language points: You must meet the minimum level of CLB 7 (for your first official language in all four language areas). To get points for your second official language, you must meet the minimum level of CLB 5 (in all four language areas).

Factor 3: Work Experience
Your work experience in Canada or international must be:

• At least one year (1,560 hours), full-time or an equal amount in part-time;
• Paid work (volunteer work and unpaid internships do not count);
• In the same occupation;
• Within the last 10 years before your application to NSOI and at application for permanent residence to IRCC; and
• In NOC 2011 Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B.

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is a system used to classify jobs in the Canadian economy. It describes duties, skills and work setting for different jobs.

Factor 4: Age
You will earn points based on your age on the day that you have been invited to apply for permanent residence by IRCC.

Factor 5: Arranged Employment in New Brunswick
You will receive points if you have a valid offer of permanent employment from a New Brunswick employer. The job must be arranged before you apply to come to New Brunswick as a federal skilled worker.
A valid offer of employment must be:

• for permanent full-time work in New Brunswick; and
• in an occupation in Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B of NOC.
• The job must have compensation in the form of salary and benefits package that meets provincial employment standards and prevailing wage rates;
• The position has a shortage of qualified permanent residents or Canadian citizens to fill the position; and
• Shall not contravene any existing bargaining unit agreements or be in any employment disputes.

A person can get arranged employment points without a new LMIA. The requirements in this case are:

• The applicant is currently working in Canada on a work permit that was issued based on a positive Service Canada LMIA with respect to employment in an occupation listed in Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B of the NOC;
• the work permit is valid at the time the application for permanent residence is made;
• the applicant is currently working for an employer specified on the work permit; and
• the current employer has made an offer to employ the applicant on a full-time, non-seasonal, indeterminate basis in a NOC Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B occupation in New Brunswick once a permanent resident visa, if any, is issued.

Factor 6: Adaptability
You must demonstrate your genuine intention to settle in the province. In addition, you must meet federal criteria listed in the following table to gain points. If you have a spouse or common-law partner who will immigrate to Canada with you, he or she can earn points for adaptability, too. You cannot claim points for a spouse who is a permanent resident living in Canada or a Canadian citizen. Even if you qualify for points under several criteria, you can only receive a maximum of 10 points for adaptability.

Interview
If required, you may have to attend an in-person interview in New Brunswick. You will be notified if such an interview is required.

EELMS Categories
The province encourages people who can demonstrate advanced French language ability through a Test evaluation de francais (TEF) and have a desire to be part of New Brunswick's vibrant Francophone community to submit their EOI as soon as possible because they will be given priority.

Connection to New Brunswick
The NBPNP will accept EOI forms continuously (any day of the week) from individuals who demonstrate at least one connection to New Brunswick, described below. More specifically, candidates who:

• are working in New Brunswick;
• have received post-secondary education diplomas from a recognized New Brunswick institution;
• have relatives who have been living in New Brunswick as permanent residents or Canadian citizens for at least one year;
• have worked full-time in New Brunswick for at least one year in the past five years; 
• have a full-time, permanent offer of employment from a New Brunswick company; or
• have French as their first language which is backed by their Test evaluation de francais (TEF) certificate.

Preference will be given to individuals who, in addition to demonstrating a valid connection to New Brunswick, also have work experience in a priority occupation:

• Information technology: programmers; analysts; and technical customer support
• Retail trade managers
• Restaurant and hospitality managers; cooks; and chefs
• Manufacturing managers
• Business and financial analysts
• Accounting technicians and bookkeepers
• Translators (English-French)
• Bilingual administrative assistants (French-English)

Attended a NBPNP information session
The NBPNP accepts EOI forms continuously (any day of the week) from individuals who have attended a NBPNP information session or have met with NBPNP staff at a domestic or international recruitment event in the past two years.
You must demonstrate that you have attended an information session. For instance, provide your registration date and event or name of the NBPNP staff you met and state the place and date.
Open Category
Note: As of July 15, 2016, the NBPNP is no longer accepting Open Category EOIs.
The Open Category of this stream issues invitations to apply based on identified demand in the IT sector. A job offer is not required for this category.
Specifically, New Brunswick is looking for the following newcomers to settle in the province through the Open Category:

• Information systems analysts and consultants (NOC 2171)
• Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 2172)
• Computer programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 2174)
• Web designers and developers (NOC 2175)
• Computer network technicians (NOC 2281)

Workers with experience in at least one of the above occupations may be in a position to submit an Expression of Interest in immigrating to New Brunswick through the NBPNP Open Category.
If a candidate is invited to apply and is then successful in obtaining a provincial nomination certificate from the NBPNP through this category, he or she will receive 600 additional points under the federal Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and will be invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence in a subsequent draw from the Express Entry pool.

New Brunswick accepts applications under this category from individuals who have worked in New Brunswick and have close family ties to the province.Under this stream, the skilled worker applicant, or his or her spouse, must be sponsored by a family member in New Brunswick as Non-dependant Child, Brother or Sister, Nephew or Niece or Grandchild.
Minimum Requirements for Applicants
In order to be eligible under the Skilled Worker with Family Support stream, candidates must:

• Be between 22 and 50 years of age;
• Have sufficient English or French ability to settle in New Brunswick and fulfil the job duties in their intended occupation. Language test results must be no more than two years old and must come from a designated testing agency;
• Have the education, qualifications, and/or licence/certification needed to perform the job duties in their intended occupation;
• Have at least two years of continuous, full-time work experience in their intended occupation in New Brunswick, within the last five years;
• Have a job that is represented in one of the following National Occupation Classification (NOC) skill levels 0, A or B; Skill level C, Category 1, 3, 7, 8, or 9 or; Skill level D, Category 1, 3, 7, 8, or 9
• Demonstrate an intent to live and work in New Brunswick and submit a Settlement Plan approved by an immigration Program Officer; and
• Have required funds to settle in New Brunswick. 

Minimum Requirements for Family Supporters
In order to be eligible under the Skilled Worker with Family Support stream, a Family Supporter must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or Canadian permanent resident, and reside full-time in New Brunswick;
• Be operating a business in New Brunswick for at least 12 consecutive months at the date of receipt of the NBPNP application; or
• Have been working in New Brunswick for at least 12 consecutive months at the date of receipt of the NBPNP application;The job must be represented in one of the following NOC Skill levels 0, A, or B or; Skill level C, Category 1, 3, 7, 8, or 9
• Be financially self-supporting;
• Participate in an interview with an official from the Population Growth Division;
• Assist the applicant with a settlement plan; and
• Support only one applicant at a time.

New Brunswick accepts applications under this category from individuals who plan to own and actively manage a business in New Brunswick. Applicants are expected to make a monetary investment in the business.
Minimum Requirements
In order to be eligible as a Business Applicant, candidates must: 

• Be between 22 and 55 years of age;
• Hold at least a high school diploma;
• Demonstrate sufficient English and, or French language ability to actively manage a business in New Brunswick;
• Demonstrate an intention to live and operate a business in New Brunswick; Applicant must perform day-to-day management role in the business.
• Show relevant and proven management experience in three of the last five years;
• Provide a business plan, approved by a New Brunswick government official, that will show how the business will benefit New Brunswick;
• Have a personal net worth of at least $300,000 CAD;
• Have sufficient funds to establish the business, settle successfully, and support all dependent family members for up to two years;
• Submit a conditionally refundable deposit of $75,000 CAD and a signed copy of the Deposit Agreement prior to nomination;
• Make at least one business trip to New Brunswick and demonstrate an understanding of the province's business environment;
• Meet with an NBPNP official for an interview following the business trip; and
• Score 50 points on a selection grid.

Selection Factors

If all other eligibility criteria (outlined above) are met and the business plan is approved, applicants will be assessed according to five selection factors. In order to qualify for the Business Applicant Stream, candidates must score a minimum of 50 points.

Factor 1: Age

Factor 2: Language

Factor 3: Education

Factor 4: Business Experience

Applicants are assessed based on the number of years they have owned a business or worked as a senior manager in a business during the last five years as well as based on the type of management experience.

Factor 5: Adaptability

Business Trip
Applicants are required to take a business trip to New Brunswick, prior to submitting their application, in order to become better acquainted with the province's business environment. The trip must be a minimum of five full business days, not including travel days, interview days, and statutory holidays.
During the trip, applicants are required to conduct extensive research. It is recommended that candidates set up meetings with various business people and officials in New Brunswick to aid in this research.
Following the business trip, applicants are required to participate in an interview with an NBPNP official to discuss the findings of their trip including topics such as identification of business opportunities, labour requirements, competition, suppliers, market trends, taxes and financials, etc. 
The New Brunswick business trip and the interview with an NBPNP official must take place within one year of the date on the candidate's Notice of Interview.

Interview
After completing the business trip, applicants are required to attend an interview in New Brunswick with an NBPNP official. The purpose of this interview is to evaluate the applicant based on his/her:

• Ability to speak, listen, and understand English or French;
• Previous management experience;
• Understanding of business in New Brunswick;
• Overall suitability to become economically established in New Brunswick; and
• Other topics relevant to the immigration application.

Business Plan
Under the Business Applicants stream, all candidates are required to submit a business plan with their application. The business plan is a written document explaining how the business will operate.
Applicants have three options when considering a business in New Brunswick:

• Purchase an existing business
• Enter into a partnership with a New Brunswick entrepreneur
• Start a new business

In order to qualify, the applicant must control a minimum percentage of equity in the business, equal to or greater than 33.33 percent.

Conditionally Refundable Deposit
In order to guarantee the applicant's intention to operate a business in New Brunswick, a deposit of $75,000 CAD is required. This deposit is refundable provided that:

• The applicant meets the requirements of the Deposit Agreement;
• The applicant and his/her dependent family members have been granted permanent resident status by CIC
• The applicant and his/her dependent family members are permanent residents of New Brunswick;
• The applicant establishes his/her business within two yeas of landing on Canada;
• The applicant's business is registered or incorporated;
• The applicant provides proof that a minimum $125,000 CAD business investment has been made; If the applicant can provide proof that a minimum $65,000 CAD business investment has been made, and all other requirements are met, a maximum of $30,000 CAD may be refunded to him/her.
• The applicant has assumed a day-to-day managerial role in the business;
• The applicant's business has been operating for one year; and
• If applicable, a partnership agreement has been finalized and signed by all parties involved.

If the applicant is unable to establish a business within two years of landing in Canada, he or she may make a written request to NBPNP for an extension. There is no guarantee, however, that the extension will be granted. In the event that the applicant fails to establish and operate an approved business within the first two years of landing in Canada, and no extension is requested or granted, the province of New Brunswick will retain the full deposit.
If the applicant is not granted a Permanent Resident Visa, the deposit will be refunded in full.

Business Investment
Applicants must be prepared to make a minimum business investment of $125,000 CAD in New Brunswick. Qualifying investments include:

• Purchase of land and/or building for business purposes;
• Moving costs for devices, equipment, and goods required for business operation;
• Purchase of manufacturing equipment;
• Purchase of office equipment, computers, and similar equipment;
• Expenses for marketing and promotions;
• Expenses for professional services in connection with establishing the business;
• Purchase of initial inventory;
• Intellectual property, etc.