New Brunswick issues 678 invitations across NBPNP and AIP draws (Aug 10–Sep 18, 2026): what applicants and employers need to know
Why this round matters now
New Brunswick held multiple selections between August 10 and September 18, 2026, issuing 678 invitations to workers in priority occupational groups through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and three NBPNP streams. These rounds show which occupations and candidate profiles the province is prioritizing and interact with a federal temporary measure that can speed access to bridging work permits for some provincial nominees.
How the selections were run
Between Aug 10 and Sep 18, New Brunswick ran six selection rounds: three NBPNP rounds (Skilled Worker, Express Entry, Strategic Initiative) and three AIP rounds. The province now reports invitation totals and targeted occupational categories together for multi-pathway draws rather than separating results by pathway.
NBPNP breakdown (total 550 invitations)
– Skilled Worker Stream — 197 invitations (Sept 15–18, 2026)
– Pathways: New Brunswick Graduates (eligible international grads with full-time work or a valid offer) and New Brunswick Experience (≥6 months full-time work with the same eligible employer).
– Occupations: Construction; Education, social and community services; Manufacturing; Professional and IT; Sales and services; Other trades.
– Cut-off: Sept 13, 2026, 11:59 p.m. AST.
– Express Entry Stream — 102 invitations (Sept 17, 2026)
– Employment in New Brunswick pathway: Express Entry candidates who have lived in NB ≥12 months and worked full time in a TEER 0–3 position for a New Brunswick employer.
– Occupations: Construction; Education, social and community services; Manufacturing; Other trades; Professional and IT; Sales and services; Transportation.
– Cut-off: Sept 13, 2026, 11:59 p.m. AST.
– Strategic Initiative Stream — 251 invitations (Sept 11, 2026)
– Pathways: Francophone Workers in New Brunswick and New Brunswick Francophone Priorities (e.g., francophone graduates or candidates invited by Immigration New Brunswick).
– Occupations: Construction; Education, social and community services; Manufacturing; Other trades; Professional and IT; Sales and services; Transportation.
– Cut-off: Sept 8, 2026, 11:59 p.m. AST.
AIP rounds (total 128 invitations)
New Brunswick held three AIP selections between Aug 10 and Sep 10, 2026, issuing 128 invitations in total:
– Sept 10 round — 60 invitations. Cut-off: Sept 9, 2026, 11:59 p.m. AST.
– Aug 10 + Aug 20 rounds — combined 68 invitations. Cut-offs: Aug 9 and Aug 19, 2026, 11:59 p.m. AST.
AIP is an employer-led PR pathway for candidates with a job offer from a designated Atlantic employer and provincial endorsement; candidates must meet language, work experience, education and settlement-funds requirements.
How nomination, endorsement and work permits interact
– Invited candidates submit a complete application for nomination (NBPNP) or endorsement (AIP).
– After provincial nomination/endorsement, candidates apply to the federal government for permanent residence (PR).
– AIP-endorsed workers can apply for an employer-specific work permit.
– Provincial nominees may be eligible for a bridging open work permit (BOWP) after filing their PR application.
– A federal temporary measure in effect from June 9, 2026 allows some base PNP applicants to qualify for a BOWP before receiving the Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR), which can shorten gaps in work authorization for some nominees.
Who should pay attention
– International graduates from eligible in-province programs who have full-time work or an offer (New Brunswick Graduates pathway).
– Workers already in NB with eligible employers (New Brunswick Experience and Employment in New Brunswick/Express Entry pathways).
– Francophone candidates with New Brunswick ties or employer offers (Strategic Initiative Stream).
– Designated employers hiring in the listed occupation groups who may support AIP endorsements or NBPNP nominations.
– Express Entry candidates living and working in NB in TEER 0–3 roles for ≥12 months.
Practical effects and next steps
– New Brunswick continues to target a consistent set of occupations across streams.
– Multiple in-province pathways create layered opportunities for workers already in NB.
– The AIP endorsement route and the June 9, 2026 federal measure for BOWPs can help reduce employment gaps.
– Because New Brunswick reports combined totals for multi-pathway draws, candidates and advisors should focus on occupations and cut-off timestamps when assessing draw behaviour.
– Candidates and employers should confirm program eligibility, document employment and residence timelines, and prepare required evidence before responding to an invitation.
Key figures to keep on file
– Total invitations (Aug 10–Sep 18, 2026): 678.
– NBPNP Skilled Worker Stream: 197 (cut-off Sept 13, 2026, 11:59 p.m. AST).
– NBPNP Express Entry Stream: 102 (cut-off Sept 13, 2026, 11:59 p.m. AST).
– NBPNP Strategic Initiative Stream: 251 (cut-off Sept 8, 2026, 11:59 p.m. AST).
– AIP selections total: 128 (Sept 10 round — 60; Aug rounds combined — 68). AIP cut-offs: Sept 9, Aug 9 and Aug 19, 2026, each at 11:59 p.m. AST.
– Federal temporary measure for earlier BOWP eligibility: in effect as of June 9, 2026.
Final note
New Brunswick’s August–September rounds reinforce the province’s focus on certain occupational groups and francophone recruitment. The combined reporting approach increases the importance of tracking occupations and cut-off dates rather than pathway-specific totals.
For personalized support with your Canadian immigration pathway, contact GTR Immigration. Call us: +91-8810-686-447
#NewBrunswickPNP #AtlanticImmigrationProgram #CanadaImmigration #NBPNP #WorkPermit #ProvincialNominee #FrancophoneImmigration #SkilledWorkers
Leave a Reply