NB PNP - (Worker) New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot

Program Status

The Critical Worker Pilot continues to be an employer-driven, limited-scope program. It does not accept unsolicited applications from candidates or requests to submit CVs to ImmigrationNB. Registering for an assessment at KeyApply is not a direct application to the pilot.

Updated October 6, 2026. Source: Official New Brunswick Guidelines and current notices.

(Updated October 6, 2026)

Overview

The New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot Program is a 5-year pilot program designed to address acute labour shortages in various sectors and regions across the province. The program was 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 stream, based on targeted recruitment for skilled workers. Therefore, candidates apply to the program through participating employers. The program does not accept applications directly from interested candidates.

Employer Participation

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 last 3 years; and
• Proven ability to provide enhanced support for newcomer settlement, skills development, and language training for employees.

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

Employers interested in learning how New Brunswick's economic immigration programs can support their human resource needs can view the Employer Roles and Responsibilities page.

Participating Employers

• Cooke Aquaculture
• J.D. Irving Ltd.
• Groupe Savoie
• Groupe Westco
• Imperial Manufacturing Group
• McCain Foods, Ltd.

Candidate Participation

The New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot is an employer-driven stream, based on targeted recruitment for skilled workers, so candidate applications to the program are made through participating employers. The program does not accept applications directly from candidates.

The program does not require you to send a résumé (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 for the purpose of reapplying under a different program or stream managed by Immigration New Brunswick.

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

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