NBPNP - (Business) New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream, New Brunswick Business Immigration Program

Update Information

MDD Forensic Accountants is not accepting new clients for asset verification for Business Immigration. Candidates requiring this service are instructed to contact Doane Grant Thornton LLP or MNP LLP. Asset verification must be conducted by a firm designated by the province.

Updated October 06, 2026. Source: Official New Brunswick Guide and current notices.

Official reference source: New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream Guide - March 2025

The New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream is part of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), designed for experienced entrepreneurs who wish to invest in, actively manage a business, and reside permanently in the province of New Brunswick, Canada.

After fulfilling business commitments and receiving provincial nomination, candidates may submit an application for Permanent Residence (PR) to IRCC.

I. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

All requirements must be met at the time of EOI submission, formal application submission, and nomination.

1. Age: Between 19 and 59 years old

2. Language proficiency

• Minimum CLB 4 for all 4 skills (Listening – Speaking – Reading – Writing)
• Test results must be valid within 2 years

Example equivalent to CLB 4:

• IELTS General: Listening 4.5 | Reading 3.5 | Writing 4.0 | Speaking 4.0 (page 15)

3. Education

• Minimum Canadian high school diploma or equivalent
• If educated outside Canada: ECA (Educational Credential Assessment) is mandatory

4. Business / Management Experience

Must have at least 2 years of qualifying experience within the last 5 years:

One of the following:

✔ Business Owner

• Minimum 51% ownership
• Direct participation in day-to-day management
• Supervision of at least 2 full-time employees

OR

✔ Senior Manager

• Participation in management of a for-profit business
• Primary decision-making authority
• Supervision of at least 2 employees

5. Net Worth

• Minimum 500,000 CAD
• For agriculture sector: 300,000 CAD

Assets must:

• Be legally acquired
• Be verified by an accounting firm designated by ImmigrationNB

The asset verification report must be completed within 90 days after receiving an ITA (page 8)

6. Minimum Investment

• Minimum 150,000 CAD (before taxes)
• Must control at least 33.3% of the business equity (page 4)

The business must:

• Be for-profit
• Provide economic benefit to the province
• Create at least 1 full-time job (30 hours/week) for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in NB (excluding relatives)

7. Mandatory Management Role

Candidates must:

• Directly manage the business
• Be present at the business premises daily
• Reside in NB at least 75% of the time during the Business Establishment Period
• Reside within 100km of the business (page 8)

II. INELIGIBLE BUSINESSES

Some ineligible sectors include:

• E-commerce / online businesses
• Home-based businesses
• Consultancy services
• Passive real estate investment
• Bed & Breakfast
• Brokerage
• Financial services (payday loans, mortgage lending, etc.)
• Non-profit organizations
• Businesses operated from outside the province
• Activities considered passive investment

III. APPLICATION PROCESS

Step 1 - Prepare Business Plan

Following the NBBIS-BP template.

The Business Plan must:

• Demonstrate viability
• Include market analysis
• Prove economic benefit to NB

The submitted business plan must be complete and cannot be altered unilaterally. Once in Canada, within the first 3 months, if the approved plan is found unfeasible, an NBBIS-007 form with a new business plan may be submitted for a change request; ImmigrationNB is not obligated to approve.

Step 2 - Submit EOI

• Submit online via the INB system
• Valid for 12 months

Step 3 - Receive ITA and submit formal application

• 90 days to submit the full application
• Processing fee: 2,000 CAD (non-refundable)

Step 4 - Sign Business Performance Agreement (BPA)

After approval:

• Must sign BPA within 60 days
• Receive a Work Permit support letter

Step 5 - Apply for Work Permit from IRCC

IRCC has sole authority to grant or deny the work permit.

Step 6 - Establish business in NB

After arriving in Canada:

• Within 1 month: submit Report of Arrival
• Within 9 months: must open the business
• After at least 6 months of operation: eligible to submit Request for Nomination
• Within 2 years (Business Establishment Period): must operate the business for at least 1 year according to the BPA

Step 7 - Nomination & PR application

After receiving Provincial Nomination:

• Submit PR application to IRCC
• IRCC is the final decision-making authority

IV. SCORING GRID

Candidates must achieve a minimum of 65 points

Scoring factors include:

• Age (max 10)
• Language (max 20)
• Education (max 20)
• Business experience (max 15)
• Business Plan (max 25)
• Spouse adaptability (max 5)

V. IMPORTANT NOTES

Do not submit an application if:

• You are a passive investor
• You are studying full-time in Canada
• You have another immigration application open
• You have a record of immigration misrepresentation
• You cannot verify the source of assets
• You own a business in another province

VI. CONCLUSION

The NB Business Immigration Stream is a program that requires:

• Clear financial capacity
• Practical management experience
• Direct management role
• Commitment to living and developing the business long-term in New Brunswick

This is not a passive investment program but an immigration pathway for entrepreneurs truly committed to building a business in Canada.

(Updated October 06, 2026)

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