NB PNP - (Worker) New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot

(Updated October 27, 2025)

Overview

The New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot Program is a five-year pilot program designed to address the severe labor shortages in various sectors and regions across the province. The program is created to attract skilled workers to occupations that have been, and will continue to be, difficult to fill in New Brunswick in the coming years.

The New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot is an employer-driven, targeted recruitment stream for skilled workers. Therefore, applicants apply to the program through participating employers. The program does not accept applications directly from interested candidates.

Employer involvement

Employers participating in the program are selected based on:

• Proven experience and consistent use of both provincial and federal economic immigration programs for at least the past three years; and
• Proven ability to provide enhanced support in new employee settlement, skills development, and language training.

The pilot program has a limited scope, so it is not currently open for broad participation. The program will be evaluated regularly for performance and opportunities for participation may be available in the future.

Employers wishing to learn how New Brunswick's economic immigration programs can support their workforce needs can view the Employer Roles and Responsibilities page.

Participating employers

• Cooke Aquaculture
• JD Irving Ltd.
• Groupe Savoie
• CEO Westco
• Imperial Manufacturing Group
• McCain Foods, Ltd.

Candidate participation

The New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot is an employer-led, targeted recruitment stream for skilled workers, so applications are processed through participating employers. The program does not accept applications directly from candidates.

The program does not require you to submit a resume (CV) to Immigration NB.

After being nominated

If you have received a nomination certificate from the Province of New Brunswick, you are not permitted to withdraw that certificate to reapply under a different program or stream administered by Immigration New Brunswick.

Nominees under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) are expected to submit their permanent residency application to IRCC before their nomination certificate expires.

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