Immigration New Brunswick (ImmigrationNB) has confirmed a new round of invitations under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) Skilled Worker Stream, held on February 11, 2026. This draw used the province’s expression of interest (EOI) system and targeted candidates in health care occupations who qualified through either the New Brunswick Experience or New Brunswick Graduates pathways.
- 01Key numbers at a glance
- 02How New Brunswick’s expression of interest system works
- 03Focus on health care: who is being targeted?
- 04Historical and national context: why this draw matters
- 05Program rules and eligibility in simple terms
- 06Example table: Today’s draw vs. typical NBPNP health‑care priorities
- 07What applicants should do now
- 08If you received an invitation
- 09If you did not receive an invitation
- 10Final takeaway
The province issued 196 invitations to apply (ITAs), with a cut‑off date and time of February 10, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (AST) for eligible EOIs to be considered in this round. ImmigrationNB stresses that meeting basic eligibility for a stream does not guarantee an invitation, and even an invitation does not guarantee a provincial nomination.
Key numbers at a glance
New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream – February 11, 2026 draw
- Stream: New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
- Date of draw: February 11, 2026
- Cut‑off for EOI submission: February 10, 2026 – 11:59 p.m. (AST)
- Pathways included:
- New Brunswick Experience
- New Brunswick Graduates
- Occupational category selected: Health care
- Invitations issued: 196
This means only EOI profiles submitted on or before the cut‑off time, and aligned with the specified pathways and health‑care occupations, were eligible for selection in this draw.
How New Brunswick’s expression of interest system works
ImmigrationNB manages applications for the NBPNP through an expression of interest (EOI) system in the INB online portal.
The basic process is:
- Prospective applicants first create an account in the INB portal and submit an expression of interest rather than a full application.
- ImmigrationNB periodically reviews EOIs and chooses candidates to invite based on:
- New Brunswick labour market needs (e.g., health care, IT, trades).
- The province’s annual nomination allocation set by the federal government.
- Other strategic priorities and policy decisions of the Government of New Brunswick.
- Those selected receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for a specific NBPNP stream.
- After an invitation, candidates must submit a complete application under the exact stream named in the invitation.
Two important cautions from ImmigrationNB:
- Meeting eligibility for a stream does not guarantee an invitation.
- Receiving an ITA does not guarantee a provincial nomination; files can still be refused if documentation or eligibility is not satisfactory.
New Brunswick provides additional resources around this system, including “First steps,” program stream descriptions, guidance on using a representative, fraud reporting, and settlement information for before and after arrival.
Focus on health care: who is being targeted?
This February 11 draw is explicitly centred on health care occupations, under two Skilled Worker pathways:
- New Brunswick Experience
- New Brunswick Graduates
By combining these two pathways in a health‑care‑focused draw, New Brunswick is signaling:
- A strong preference for candidates who are already integrated into the province (working or studying there).
- A desire to retain health‑care talent that is already in New Brunswick rather than relying solely on offshore recruitment.
Typical occupations that benefit from such health‑care‑targeted draws often include nurses, personal support workers, medical technologists, and allied health professionals, though exact eligible NOC codes are specified in NBPNP documentation for each pathway.
Historical and national context: why this draw matters
New Brunswick’s focus on health care fits into a broader national pattern:
- Across Canada, provincial programs in 2024–2026 have routinely prioritized health care, early childhood education, and skilled trades in both PNP draws and category‑based Express Entry rounds.
- Under the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, federal targets for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) continue to rise, making PNP streams one of the main pipelines for permanent residence, especially outside major centres.
New Brunswick itself is a smaller province facing:
- An aging population and strong demand for nurses, care aides, and other health professionals.
- Ongoing recruitment competition with larger provinces like Ontario and British Columbia, which also run aggressive health‑care‑focused PNP draws.
By running a health‑care‑only Skilled Worker draw and linking it to the Experience and Graduate pathways, ImmigrationNB is clearly trying to lock in retention of people who have already studied or worked in the province.
Program rules and eligibility in simple terms
Although detailed criteria are laid out on the New Brunswick government website, the key ideas are:
- Expression of interest (EOI)
- You cannot apply directly; you must first submit an EOI in the INB portal.
- EOIs collect information on your age, education, language skills, work experience, job offer, and connection to New Brunswick.
- Skilled Worker Stream – New Brunswick Experience
- Skilled Worker Stream – New Brunswick Graduates
- Selection and nomination
- ImmigrationNB selects EOIs that best match labour market needs and allocation.
- After a full application is approved, you receive a provincial nomination, which can be used either through a direct paper PR application or to boost your Express Entry CRS score by 600 points if the stream is aligned.
Example table: Today’s draw vs. typical NBPNP health‑care priorities
Below is a simple conceptual comparison to help readers see where this draw fits:
| Feature | Feb 11, 2026 NB Skilled Worker draw | Typical NB health‑care priority pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Health care occupations | Health care, ECE, some tech and trades |
| Pathways included | NB Experience, NB Graduates | Often Experience, sometimes International graduates |
| Invitations | 196 | Usually smaller, targeted batches tied to employer demand |
| EOI requirement | Yes, via INB portal | Always required before full application |
| Priority factors | NB work or study history, health‑care job offer | NB ties, employer demand, language, experience |
This kind of draw aligns with New Brunswick’s overall strategy of using PNP selection to address real‑time staffing pressures in hospitals, clinics, and long‑term care homes.
What applicants should do now
If you received an invitation
If you are one of the 196 invited candidates:
- Carefully review the stream specified in your invitation (NB Experience or NB Graduates).
- Gather all required documents (job offer letter, work permits, pay stubs, education credentials, language test results, proof of NB residency, etc.).
- Submit a complete application through the INB portal within the deadline indicated in your ITA instructions.
- Double‑check consistency between your EOI and your supporting documents—discrepancies can lead to refusal.
Remember: an invitation is not a guarantee of nomination; completeness and eligibility still matter.
If you did not receive an invitation
If you are interested in New Brunswick but were not invited in this round:
- Make sure your EOI is submitted and up to date in the INB portal.
- If you work in health care in New Brunswick, confirm that your NOC, employer details, and job duties are correctly entered.
- If you are a recent NB graduate, ensure your graduation details and job offer information are accurate.
- Monitor official NB immigration pages (“First steps,” “NB immigration programs,” and “After nomination”) for changes in eligibility, occupation lists or pathway criteria.
You can also:
- Explore other NB pathways (e.g., employer‑driven, entrepreneur streams) if you do not fit the Skilled Worker health‑care profile.
- Consider parallel strategies in other Atlantic provinces or federal programs, while keeping NB as a preferred destination.
Final takeaway
The February 11, 2026 NBPNP Skilled Worker draw is another clear signal that health‑care workers with New Brunswick experience or education are among the province’s top immigration priorities. For candidates, the message is simple: if you want to build a permanent life in New Brunswick, gaining local work or study experience in an in‑demand field and keeping your EOI profile accurate and active are key steps toward receiving an invitation and, eventually, a provincial nomination.
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