Between January 13–15, 2026, New Brunswick PNP issued 379 invitations across Express Entry, Skilled Worker, and Strategic Initiative streams. Learn how the INB EOI system works and who was invited in these draws.
January 2026 NBPNP draws: 379 invitations issued
Between January 13 and 15, 2026, New Brunswick held its first PNP draws of the year and published detailed results on its official “Invitations to apply” page. Across three streams, the province issued a total of 379 invitations:
| Stream | Pathway / Focus | Occupational Categories | Invitations Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| NB Express Entry Stream | Employment in New Brunswick | All sectors | 20 |
| NB Skilled Worker Stream | NB Experience & NB Graduates | All sectors | 244 |
| NB Strategic Initiative | New Brunswick Francophone Priorities | All sectors | 115 |
| Total | — | — | 379 |
For all three streams, the cut‑off date and time for eligible EOI profiles was January 12, 2026, at 11:59 pm (AST). Only EOIs submitted on or before this time were considered in these draws.
Stream‑by‑stream breakdown
1. New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
- Date of draw: January 13–15, 2026
- Pathway: Employment in New Brunswick
- Occupational categories: All sectors considered
- Invitations issued: 20
This stream targets candidates in the federal Express Entry pool who also meet NB criteria, typically with a job offer or strong employment ties to the province.
Why it matters:
- It is an enhanced PNP stream, meaning a provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, almost guaranteeing an Express Entry ITA.
- Even though only 20 invitations were issued, they can significantly shape Express Entry outcomes for those selected.
2. New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
- Date of draw: January 13–15, 2026
- Pathways:
- New Brunswick experience
- New Brunswick graduates
- Occupational categories: All sectors
- Invitations issued: 244
This stream had the highest number of invitations in January 2026. It focuses on:
- Workers with New Brunswick work experience; and
- Graduates from NB institutions who have ties to local employers and communities.
Why it matters:
- It shows a strong push to retain talent already in the province, especially international graduates and existing workers.
- Using “all sectors” suggests that the province faces broad labour demand, not just in a few niche occupations.
3. New Brunswick Strategic Initiative – Francophone Priorities
- Date of draw: January 13–15, 2026
- Pathway: New Brunswick Francophone priorities
- Occupational categories: All sectors
- Invitations issued: 115
This draw supports NB’s goal of strengthening French‑speaking communities, as New Brunswick is Canada’s only officially bilingual province.
To be considered under Francophone priorities, candidates generally needed to:
- Have previous residence in New Brunswick and completed at least a one‑year in‑person program at Université de Moncton or CCNB; or
- Have received a Letter of Interest (LOI) from Immigration New Brunswick.
Why it matters:
- The 115 invitations in this pathway highlight how serious NB is about Francophone immigration and community vitality.
- It aligns with federal targets to increase French‑speaking immigration outside Quebec.
How New Brunswick’s EOI system works
Immigration New Brunswick (ImmigrationNB) manages its New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) through an Expression of Interest (EOI) system in the INB portal.
- Before you can apply, you must first create and submit an EOI profile in the INB online system.
- ImmigrationNB then reviews EOIs and issues Invitations to Apply (ITAs) based on:
Important:
- Meeting eligibility for an NBPNP stream does not guarantee an invitation to apply.
- Receiving an invitation still does not guarantee nomination; you must submit a complete application under the stream and pathway specified in your invitation and meet all requirements.
Helpful official links for candidates include: First Steps, NB immigration program streams, Using a representative, After nomination, Before you arrive, and After you arrive pages on the New Brunswick government site.
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