New Brunswick’s Express Entry stream reopens to Expressions of Interest

New Brunswick is now accepting Expressions of Interest to its Express Entry-linked immigration stream.  

New Brunswick’s Provincial Nominee Program, the NBPNP, reopened its Express Entry Labour Market Stream November 28 to eligible Express Entry candidates after closing it temporarily in September.

The stream allows New Brunswick to nominate eligible candidates in the federal Express Entry system for Canadian permanent residence.

The federal Express Entry system manages the pool of candidates for Canada’s three Federal High Skilled economic immigration programs — the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class and Canadian Experience Class.

Express Entry candidates with a provincial nomination from New Brunswick receive an additional 600 points toward their Express Entry ranking score, which effectively guarantees an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

The NBPNP specified five criteria that Express Entry candidates must meet in order to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) during this latest opening.

Those criteria are:

• The applicant has an Express Entry profile and a valid Express Entry profile number and Job Seeker validation code;
• The applicant is currently living and working in New Brunswick, and submits a letter of employment from the employer along with their EOI;
• The National Occupational Classification code for their current job is for an occupation rated NOC Level 0, A, or B, and this code must be included with the EOI;
• The applicant has valid language test scores equivalent to CLB 7 in all four language competencies and submits a pdf copy of these test results with the EOI;
• The applicant has a valid Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) that attests to a minimum equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma, and submits a pdf copy of the ECA with their EOI.

The NBPNP said only candidates who meet all five criteria should submit an EOI. Submissions that do not meet all five criteria will be rejected.

The NBPNP’s update did not mention work experience in a priority occupation, which has been a requirement in previous Express Entry openings.

An EOI is not an application but rather serves as a declaration of one’s desire to be considered by the NBPNP for a provincial nomination.

Interested candidates create a profile and complete the required information, including details on the education, work experience and proficiency in English or French, among other factors.

Profiles that score at least 67 points on the NBPNP’s points grid are then entered into the EOI pool of candidates.

The NBPNP says profiles are ranked as follows:

• Highest score;
• Evidence of training and experience in a high priority sector as determined by the province;
• Demonstrated ability to become economically established in the Province;
• The high likelihood of contributing to the provincial labour market and economy in a positive way.