Which occupations are eligible?

The pilot spans several NOC tiers, covering both skilled and lower-skilled roles that New Brunswick has flagged as critical to its labour market. We check your specific NOC at consultation, because the list is revised.

How do I find a Designated Employer?

The province publishes a list of the employers taking part. We screen which of them match your occupation and experience, and coach you on how to approach them.

Can my family come with me?

Yes. Spouses and dependent children go on the PR application with you, and spouses usually get open work permits while it is processing.

Do I have to live in New Brunswick?

The pilot is built on genuine intent to settle there. Once PR is granted there is no permanent legal restriction on where you live, but leaving the province quickly runs against the purpose of the stream and we would not advise it.

What if my employer withdraws?

Provincial endorsement is tied to that specific employer relationship. If it ends before PR is granted, the endorsement can be revoked. We set expectations on both sides before anyone commits.

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PR Pathway

NB Critical Worker Pilot

The New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot is an employer-driven route to permanent residency covering both skilled and lower-skilled occupations. If you have a concrete job offer in New Brunswick, it goes straight to PR with a structured settlement plan attached.

Check your eligibility Talk to a consultant

Content last reviewed 15 April 2026

Overview

Who this visa is for

New Brunswick runs the pilot with a roster of designated employers. Express Entry ranks candidates on points; this stream does not. It weighs employer endorsement and integration support instead, which puts it within reach of people whose CRS scores never clear a federal draw.

Designated employers identify candidates, back the work-permit and PR applications, and commit to a settlement plan covering housing, language training, and integration at work. We sit between the candidate, the employer, and the province for the duration.

Requirements

What you'll need to bring

Essential documents

Signed offer of employment from a Designated Employer
Settlement plan agreed with that employer
Valid Pakistani passport
Academic transcripts and qualifications relevant to the role
Employment history evidencing the relevant experience
English or French test, with the CLB requirement varying by NOC tier
Proof of funds for initial settlement
Medical exam from an IRCC panel physician
Police clearance certificate

Eligibility criteria

A full-time, permanent job offer from a Designated Employer in New Brunswick
An occupation within the pilot's eligible NOC categories
The work experience that specific occupation requires
A minimum language score by NOC tier, meaning CLB 4 for some lower-skilled roles and CLB 5 or above for skilled ones
The educational credentials the NOC level calls for
Genuine intent to live and work in New Brunswick
No immigration inadmissibility

Process

The application step by step

1
Job offer with Designated Employer
Variable
Secure a written offer from an employer who has joined the pilot and agreed to support the application through to PR.
2
Settlement plan agreement
2–4 weeks
Employer and candidate agree a plan covering housing, language support, workplace integration, and community connection.
3
Provincial endorsement
4–8 weeks
The application goes to the Government of New Brunswick for review and endorsement.
4
Work permit application
4–12 weeks
With endorsement in hand, apply for a Canadian work permit so you can start work while the PR application runs.
5
PR application
6–14 months
File the federal permanent-residency application on the strength of the provincial endorsement. Standard processing applies from there.
6
Landing & integration
First year
Land as a permanent resident, settle in New Brunswick, and work through the settlement plan with your employer.

Processing time

How long this takes end to end depends on the provincial review queue and federal PR processing, and both move independently. We give you the latest published estimates at consultation and will not put a date on your file beyond that.

Fees

Federal application fees, biometric fees, language test fees, and any settlement service costs are payable separately. Our fee depends on the stream and how much employer-side coordination the case needs, and you hear it at the eligibility assessment.

FAQ

Questions specific to this route

Talk to a consultant

Interested in the NB Critical Worker Pilot?

Send us a quick note and we'll reply on WhatsApp within one business day. Prefer to self-screen first? Run the eligibility calculator. Six minutes, no account required.