NEW BRUNSWICK
New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream
The New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream is a component of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), which is managed by the province of New Brunswick. This program specifically aims to attract foreign nationals who have completed their post-secondary education in New Brunswick and have subsequently started a successful business within the province.
New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream Requirements
Overview of Requirements:
- Express Entry Profile: Not required
- Connection to Province: Must have studied in New Brunswick
- Job Offer: Not required
- Language Proficiency: CLB 7
- Level of Education: Completed a two-year post-secondary program in New Brunswick
- Work Experience: Minimum of one year of business ownership in New Brunswick
- Investment Requirement: None
Detailed Eligibility Criteria:
Educational and Provincial Connection: Candidates must have successfully completed a two-year post-secondary degree at a recognized university or at New Brunswick Community College. They should have maintained full-time student status during this period and lived in New Brunswick throughout the duration of their academic program.
Language Skills: Applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in English or French, with a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7.
Business Experience: To qualify, candidates must have owned and actively managed a business in New Brunswick for at least one year and must hold a valid Post-Graduate Work Permit at the time of application.
Age Requirements: Applicants should be aged between 22 and 40 years at the time their application is submitted.
Scoring Assessment: Applicants must achieve a minimum of 65 points on the New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream Assessment Grid to be considered for this program.
Business Eligibility Criteria for the New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream
Ownership and Operation Requirements: Candidates must own and have actively managed a successful business in New Brunswick for a minimum of one year to qualify for this stream.
Ownership Structure: Applicants are required to hold full (100%) ownership of the business.
Management and Compensation: Candidates must be actively involved in the day-to-day management of the business. They must also draw a salary that meets or exceeds the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) by at least ten percent.
Business Type and Employment: The business must operate on a for-profit basis and must employ at least one full-time Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Application Process for the New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream
Expression of Interest (EOI) Submission: The New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial stream requires potential candidates to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) along with a detailed business concept to the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP). Occasionally, the NBPNP may suspend the acceptance of new EOIs and does not schedule specific times for reopening submissions, unlike many other provinces. Candidates need to achieve a minimum of 65 points on the New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream Assessment Grid. Only the highest-scoring candidates, whose business plans are assessed to offer significant economic benefits to the province, will be invited to apply.
Application Submission and Interview: Upon receiving an invitation to apply, candidates must submit a full application for provincial nomination and include a processing fee of $250 CAD within 90 days. Eligible applicants will be required to attend an interview, which includes a site visit to their business, conducted by NBPNP immigration officers.
Nomination and Permanent Residency Application: Successful applicants will receive a certificate of nomination from New Brunswick. After obtaining the provincial nomination, candidates have six months to file a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. This application must be paper-based and sent by mail to the designated application center. Typically, paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are processed within 18 months.
New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream Scoring Overview
To qualify for the New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream, candidates must accumulate at least 65 points on the assessment grid. This grid is also used to rank candidates, and only those with the most competitive scores are invited to submit applications.
Breakdown of Scoring Factors:
- Age: Maximum of 10 points
- Language Proficiency: Maximum of 35 points
- Education: Maximum of 25 points
- Work Experience: Maximum of 10 points
- Economic Benefit of the Business: Maximum of 10 points
- Adaptability: Maximum of 10 points
Total Possible Points: 100 points
Age-Based Points Allocation for the New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream
Points for age are distributed as follows:
- 21 years or younger: 0 points
- Ages 22 to 34: 10 points
- Ages 35 to 40: 5 points
- Age 41 or older: 0 points
Maximum Points Available for Age: 10 points
Language Proficiency Points System for the New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream
Points for language proficiency are assigned based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB):
First Language Proficiency:
- CLB 9 or higher: 7 points each for Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking
- CLB 8: 6 points each for Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking
- CLB 7: 5 points each for Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking
- Maximum Total for First Language: 28 points
Second Language Proficiency:
- CLB 7 or higher: 7 points
- Maximum for Second Language: 7 points
Educational Qualifications Points for the New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream
Points for level of education are awarded as follows:
- Doctoral Level University Degree (Ph.D.): 25 points for a Ph.D. awarded by a New Brunswick university, completed after a Master’s degree.
- Masters or Professional Degree: 23 points for a Master’s or professional degree awarded by a New Brunswick graduate college or university following a Bachelor’s degree. This includes degrees where the applicant is licensed by a New Brunswick regulatory body in fields such as medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, podiatry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine, or pharmacy.
- Two or More Canadian Degrees or Diplomas: 22 points for holding at least one degree or diploma from a New Brunswick institution, which required a minimum of three years of full-time study.
- Post-Secondary Academic Degree: 21 points for a degree awarded by a New Brunswick college or university, derived from an undergraduate program requiring at least three years of full-time study.
- Post-Secondary Diploma: 19 points for a diploma from a New Brunswick college or university in a specific trade, necessitating at least two years of full-time study post-high school.
Maximum Points Available: 25 points
Work Experience Points for the New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream
Points for work experience are allocated based on the duration and type of employment:
- 6 or more years of experience within the last 10 years in NOC O, A, or B: 10 points
- 1 to 5 years of experience within the last 10 years in NOC O, A, or B: 5 points
Maximum Points Available for Work Experience: 10 points
Points Allocation for Economic Benefit in Business Plan in the New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream
The economic impact of your business is a crucial component of the New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream, with points awarded as follows:
- Location of Business: 5 points if the business is situated outside the urban centers of Fredericton, Moncton, and Saint John.
- Industry Sector:
- Agricultural Sector: 5 points for businesses operating within the agricultural sector.
- Priority Sector: 5 points for businesses that fall within a priority sector as defined by the Department.
Maximum Points Available for Economic Benefit: 10 points
Adaptability Points for Spouse or Common-Law Partner in the New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream
Adaptability Factors and Points Allocation:
Employment in New Brunswick: 5 points are awarded if your spouse or common-law partner has maintained at least one year of continuous full-time employment in New Brunswick.
Education in New Brunswick: 5 points are granted if your spouse or common-law partner has completed a minimum of two years of full-time study in a program lasting at least two years at a post-secondary institution in New Brunswick, with a valid study permit where applicable.
Language Proficiency: 5 points are available if your spouse or common-law partner achieves at least CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French across all four language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking).
Family Connection in New Brunswick: 10 points are assigned if you or your spouse/common-law partner have a close family relative (e.g., son, daughter, brother, sister, mother, father, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew, aged 18 or older) who is a permanent resident or citizen of Canada and has been living in New Brunswick for at least one year at the time an Expression of Interest is submitted to the NBPNP.
Additional Job Skills: 5 points can be earned if you have demonstrated additional job skills through training or experience, supported by a post-secondary credential (e.g., certificate, diploma, degree) requiring at least one year of full-time study after high school.
Maximum Points Available for Adaptability: 10 points
