New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program(NBPNP)

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) nominates qualified candidates for Canadian permanent residency who meet specific economic and labour market needs in the province of New Brunswick.

Under the NBPNP, candidates may be nominated in one of four categories:

1. Express Entry Labour Market.
2. Skilled Worker With Employer Support.
3. Entrepreneurial.
4. Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial.

1. New Brunswick Express Entry Labour Market Stream

This program is the result of a partnership between the Government of New Brunswick and the Government of Canada. Please ensure that you visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website for the most current information regarding Express Entry.

The first step is to submit an expression of interest (EOI) to the NBPNP. The NBPNP will accept expressions of interest to the Express Entry Labour Market Stream (EE LMS) from the first of each month until the 15th of each month. Beginning on the 16th (or the first business day after the monthly deadline), a predetermined number of expression of interest forms will be reviewed. Of this, the highest-ranked will be selected to apply to the EE LMS. Candidates will receive an email inviting them to submit a full application to the EE LMS.

Expression of interest forms will be assessed and ranked according to:

• 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. Expression of interest forms must be submitted to the following: entree.express.entry@gnb.ca

If your Expression of Interest (EOI) is successful, you can apply in two ways:

• directly to the NBPNP, or

• you can enter the Express Entry pool and be selected by the NBPNP. Both circumstances require you to submit a full application to the NBPNP. All Provincial nominations under Express Entry happen within this system.

IRCC will not require that individuals submit a paper-based copy of their nomination certificate when invited to apply for permanent residency through Express Entry. Individuals will, where applicable, still require a paper-based copy of their nomination certificate and a letter of support from the province, when applying for a work permit.

It is important to read the entire guide to learn about the eligibility criteria and selection factors, (both provincial and federal) including details about the documents that need to be submitted. Forms are available for download on our website at www.gnb.ca/immigration.

General Requirements for NBPNP

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• All eligibility criteria and selection factors for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (obtaining at least 67 points out of 100); and Provincial criteria, including age (22-55); a signed commitment to live and work in New Brunswick (NBPNP – 001); and other criteria described in this document.

• If you meet these criteria, and receive a nomination from the Government of New Brunswick, may be invited to apply for permanent residency through the Express Entry system. Applications that do not meet these requirements will not be eligible for consideration by the NBPNP.

• Documented proof of your ability to meet these eligibility criteria will be required for both the NBPNP assessment stage as well as the CIC permanent residency stage.

Decisions on applications are final. There is no appeal process if you are refused. If you are unsuccessful, you may reapply two years from a notice that your application has been refused, provided your situation changes substantially and you have new information to submit.

You also have the option to apply to IRCC immigration programs with New Brunswick as your destination. Final decisions on permanent resident visas are the sole responsibility of IRCC.

You must meet all Canadian immigration regulations, including a medical examination and security and criminal checks.

You should not make final travel arrangements, dispose of property (personal or business), or give up your job until you receive a permanent resident visa.

A nomination certificate does not guarantee the issuance of a permanent resident visa.

The NBPNP may withdraw your nomination at any time prior to the issuance of a permanent resident visa by CIC.

Reasons for which the NBPNP may withdraw a nomination include, but are not limited to the following:

• The NBPNP is no longer satisfied that you meet the requirements under which you were nominated;

• The NBPNP is advised that information in your immigration application is false or misleading;

• You do not intend to live in New Brunswick. Applications are not accepted from applicants who:

• Have an application in process under another immigration program in Canada;

• Intend to work in an occupation that is a National Occupational Classification (NOC) level C or D;

• Are not lawfully residing in their country of residence at the time an application is received at the NBPNP office (proof of lawful residence is required);

• Have an unresolved humanitarian and compassionate claim in Canada;

• Are failed humanitarian and compassionate claimants living in Canada;

• Have an unresolved refugee claim in Canada;

• Are failed refugee claimants living in Canada;

• Are under a removal order in Canada;

• Are prohibited from entering Canada;

• Are engaged in full-time post-secondary education;

• Are on a valid federal post-graduation work permit whose occupation falls under NOC skill level C or D;

• Are live-in caregivers;

• Are a seasonal, part-time or casual worker;

• Are an individual whose job is not based in New Brunswick;

• Intend to start a business and/or be self-employed in New Brunswick; or

• Are unable to provide proof of the required amount of funds (see the section on Minimum Funds Requirement).

If you are living in Canada during the application process, it is your responsibility to maintain your legal immigration status. If you have been refused under another provincial or federal immigration program, you must advise the NBPNP and provide copies of all relevant correspondence. The correspondence must include sufficient information to allow the Immigration Program officer to evaluate the reasons for your refusal. Failure to provide complete information will result in your refusal.

Eligibility Requirements NBPNP.

An applicant must meet the following requirements:

1. Language

Please visit the federal government website to determine language requirements at the time of your application. The language requirements, set by IRCC, are subject to change: See http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/languagetesting.asp

The current (January 2015) language requirements for the NBPNP Express Entry program stream are Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7 in all four language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Applicants must provide valid results from a language test administered by a designated CIC testing agency.

The acceptable tests are:

• the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training (www.ielts.ca);

• the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP-General) (http://www.celpiptest.ca/); and

• the Test d’Évaluation de Français (to test proficiency in French) (http://www.tef-tcf.net/index.php/en/).

Language test results must not be more than two years old at the time of application for permanent residency. CIC language equivalency charts can be found at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/language/charts.asp.

2. Education

You must have, at a minimum, a secondary school graduation certificate, a secondary school diploma, or a high school equivalency certificate. You must submit either:

1) a Canadian credential; or

2) a foreign educational credential and an equivalency assessment from a designated body. (Assessment must be from a professional body if one has been designated for the principal applicant’s primary occupation.)

The purpose of submitting an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from an IRCC designated agency is to verify that your foreign degree, diploma, certificate, or other educational credential is valid and comparable to a completed Canadian educational credential.

The designated agencies are as follows:

• Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (CES)

• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)

• World Education Services (WES)

If you are applying as either a physician or pharmacist, you must have your credentials assessed by one of the following (as it pertains to your field):

• Medical Council of Canada (MCC) for international medical graduates (IMG);
• Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) for internationally trained pharmacists More designated agencies may be added over time.

If you are being considered for nomination under an occupation regulated in New Brunswick, you will need a valid offer of employment from a New Brunswick employer. For more information, visit CIC at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/assessment.asp.

3. Work experience

You must have at least one year (1,560 hours minimum) of continuous full-time (or equivalent in continuous, paid part-time) experience in your primary occupation. “Full-time” means at least 30 hours of paid work in one week. One year of full-time work is at least 1,560 hours. One year equivalent part-time work is at least 1,560 hours, but not at a 30 hours/week rate (e.g., 15 hours/week in one part-time job over two years). Work experience must include work that is paid or where a commission is earned.

This experience must be within certain occupations as determined by the NOCs. Only skill type 0, or skill levels A or B of the 2011 National Occupational Classification (NOC), are eligible. National Occupational Classification (NOC) The NOC is used to classify jobs in the Canadian economy. It describes duties, skills, talents, and work settings for different jobs. It uses the 2011 edition of the National Occupational Classification to assess skilled worker applications. The easiest way to find your National Occupational Classification category is to go to the following: http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/noc/english/noc/2011/OccupationIndex.aspx.

For the NBPNP Express Entry program stream, your work experience must be in a NOC O, A, or B occupation. This should be identified in your application as your primary occupation in the 10 years before your application submission. Proof of this experience will be required. Examples of NOC O occupations include managerial occupations, such as financial managers and school principals; examples of NOC A occupations, which generally require a university degree, include teachers, lawyers, and software developers; and examples of NOC B occupations, which generally require two or more years of post-secondary education or apprenticeship, include engineering technologists, computer network technicians, and electricians.

4. Age

You must be between 22 and 55 years old. Your age is assessed as of the day your application for permanent residence is received at the NBPNP and you are assigned a file number.

5. Proof of funds

You must show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family (even if they are not coming with you) after you get to Canada.

You cannot borrow this money from another person. You will need to show proof to the Canadian visa office in your home country that you have enough money when you apply to immigrate.

The funds must be in your name or in the name of your accompanying spouse. These funds must be unencumbered by debts or obligations (i.e., not real estate), transferable, and available to you.

The amount of money you need to support your family is set by the size of your family. These amounts are updated every year.

Visit IRCC’s website to find out the current amount: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/funds.asp.

You do not have to show that you have these funds if:

• you have a valid offer of arranged employment in Canada; or

• you are currently working or authorized to work in Canada.

6. You will live and work in New Brunswick.

You will be required to sign and submit a Commitment to Live and Work in New Brunswick form (NBPNP – 001). This commitment will assert that the principal applicant will maintain their primary residence in New Brunswick. *This is a specific criterion for applicants to the NBPNP Express Entry program stream and not a requirement of the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

7. You must score a minimum of 67 points out of 100 in the selection factors to meet CIC’s Federal Skilled Worker Program requirements.

Application Process

If you meet all eligibility criteria and selection factors, score 67 out of 100 or more, and you are able to successfully enter into the Express Entry system (meeting minimum eligibility criteria as listed on its website), you can prepare and submit a full application.

Following submission of your full application package, you are responsible for contacting the NBPNP if there are any changes to your application prior to, and after nomination.

STEP #1 SUBMIT YOUR IMMIGRATION APPLICATION TO THE EXPRESS ENTRY SYSTEM

Include one original copy of the NBPNP forms and supporting documents. Use the Checklist for the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program Express Entry Labour Market Stream (NBPNP – DCEELMS) to ensure that you have the required forms and documents.

Documentation submitted with your application will not be returned. You should obtain multiple originals of any documentation submitted with your application (such as reference letters, language tests, educational credential assessments, police certificates) so you are prepared if you need to submit a new application. You must keep a copy of the completed forms and supporting documents.

The NBPNP may request additional information at any time during the application process to assess your application. Please note: Some of your documents must be submitted directly to the NBPNP from a designated third-party agency.

These include:

• Your ECA must be sent directly to the NBPNP from a CIC designated agency. If you have already obtained an educational credential assessment (ECA) from a CIC designated agency, please request that the agency forward a scanned copy of your report to immigration@gnb.ca. Each agency has its specific process. Please consult the information below. For users of http://learn.utoronto.ca/international-professionals/comparative-education-service-ces/immigration Comparative Education Services (CES), please indicate that you are requesting an ECA for the purposes of applying to the NBPNP on your application form. CES will then send an electronic copy of your report to the NBPNP. If you have already had a CES ECA report completed, please contact CES and request that they send an electronic copy to the NBPNP at immigration@gnb.ca. For users of http://www.wes.org/ca/immigrants/ World Education Services (WES), please select the NBPNP as the recipient of your WES report. For users of http://www.icascanada.ca/fsw/ International Credential Assessment Services of Canada (ICAS), please ensure that you request an assessment for immigration purposes and that you request an electronic copy of your assessment report be sent by ICAS to the following NBPNP email address: immigration@gnb.ca immigration@gnb.ca.

• Work experience: The NBPNP may request that you have your work experience validated. In this situation, your documents must be sent to a third party validation agency designated by the provincial government. The NBPNP recognized third party validation agency information is included in the Checklist for the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program Express Entry Labour Market Stream (NBPNP – DCEELMS). Your validated work experience documents will then be sent along to the NBPNP be included in your file prior to assessment. Please refer to the Checklist for the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program Express Entry Labour Market Stream (NBPNP – DCEELMS) checklist for all required documents, including specific document requirements, such as whether they need be originals, copies, certified, etc.

STEP #2 THE NBPNP WILL ASSESS YOUR APPLICATION

The NBPNP will assess your application according to the criteria established at the time your application is submitted.

Eligibility and completion check

After your application is received, it will be reviewed to ensure that it is complete and meets eligibility criteria before it is accepted for assessment. If your application is not complete, or if you do not meet basic eligibility requirements, your application may be returned.

Assessment

The NBPNP will conduct a full review and evaluation of the complete application, subject to application volumes and the possible circumstances set out on its website. The NBPNP reserves the right to request an interview with the applicant. The processing time for a completed application eligible for consideration may vary depending on the time required for the verification of documents included in the application and on the volume of applications received. Nomination under the NBPNP is at the sole discretion of the Government of New Brunswick.

Decision

The NBPNP will communicate the decision in writing to you, or your representative, by way of an email. This decision will be either that you have been nominated or that you have been refused.

Nomination

• NBPNP will confirm nomination within the Express Entry system.

• You will need to accept the nomination within the system. The specific instructions on how to do this are available at www.cic.gc.ca/.

• NOTE: The NBPNP will also send an original nomination certificate to the nominee’s address on file.

Refusal

If your application is being considered for refusal, you or your representative will receive a refusal letter from the NBPNP. You have 10 business days to submit additional information to be considered by the NBPNP. After 10 business days, the file will be re-assessed, including any new information submitted, and a final decision made. This decision will be sent in writing to you or your representative. There is no appeal process.

STEP #3 EXPRESS ENTRY SYSTEM

If you are not already registered with Express Entry and the NBPNP would like to nominate you, the NBPNP will send an email asking you to register in Express Entry. Within 10 days of this email, you will need to complete an online Express Entry profile and email your unique Express Entry Profile Number and your Job Seeker Validation Code (JSVC) to entree. express.entry@gnb.ca. The NBPNP will then send a nomination to your MyCIC Account. You will have 30 calendar days to either accept or not accept the nomination.

A. If you are already in the Express Entry pool, and the NBPNP would like to nominate you, it will do so within the Express Entry system. You will need to accept the nomination within the system, as described above. See further details on how this happens at www.cic.gc.ca/

B. Invitation to Apply for permanent residence by IRCC/CIC. Following acceptance of the nomination with the Express Entry system, you will potentially receive an Invitation to Apply for a Permanent Residency by IRCC/CIC following a CIC round of invitations (which occur regularly). If you are invited to submit an application for permanent residency, you will have 60 days to submit an electronic application for permanent residence. You will need to upload your application and supporting documents using your MyCIC account. You, your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, and dependants must meet requirements for medical, security, and criminal admissibility to the satisfaction of CIC. In some cases, you may be asked to go for an interview. For further information about applications through the Express Entry system, please see the following website: www.canada.ca/expressentry.

C. Issuance of a permanent resident visa. If approved by CIC, you, your spouse, and dependents will be issued a Confirmation of Permanent Residency.

D. Provide contact information to the NBPNP. When you are granted permanent residency, you must contact the NBPNP within 30 calendar days of your arrival in New Brunswick. You must the NBPNP a copy of the Confirmation of Permanent Residence, a copy of your passport, and your New Brunswick contact information such as a current address, telephone number(s), and email.

Please note: Incomplete application forms will slow processing time for your application at both the NBPNP and IRCC/CIC steps, and this may result in your application being returned or refused.

CIC makes the final decision for the granting of permanent resident visas after ensuring that all legislative requirements are met, including medical, criminality, and security checks. A nomination by the Government of New Brunswick does not guarantee that a permanent resident visa will be issued.

The NBPNP may withdraw your nomination at any time prior to the issuance of the permanent resident visa and prior to landing in Canada if:

• You no longer meet minimum eligibility requirements of the NBPNP;

• The NBPNP is advised by the Canadian visa office that any information provided in your application for permanent residency is false or fraudulent; or

• IRCC/CIC finds that you or a dependent is inadmissible as a result of medical, criminality, security checks or having an invalid passport.

Fees

You must pay the CAD $250 processing fee charged by the NBPNP. This fee is non-refundable.

Attach the processing fees to the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program Fee Payment for Skilled Worker Applicants (NBPNP – 011SW) and submit your application for permanent residence.

The form is available at www.gnb.ca/immigration.

In addition to the NBPNP processing fee, applicants are responsible for the cost of the following:

• Language exam(s);

• ECA and

• Third-party validation of foreign work experience.

(The NBPNP may request that you provide validation of your work experience; in such cases, applicants will assume the cost).

Optimize your chances of success!

What are your options for Canadian Immigration? You can consider any of the following pathways to Canadian Immigration:

• Provincial Nominee Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Canadian Experience Class
• Humanitarian and Compassionate
• Study to Immigrate
• Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
• How to Become a Canadian Citizen: Applying for Canadian Citizenship
• Family Sponsorship
• Spousal Sponsorship
• Express Entry
• Federal Skilled Workers Program
• Caregivers
• Canada Business Immigration Programs
• Refugee and Asylum
• Visa rejections/Appeals

Chugo Immigration Service is authorized to offer Canadian Immigration and Citizenship services under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The Principal Consultant, Pius Chukwuma Ekwulugo RCIC, is a member in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) and has helped many foreigners to start a new life in Canada. We will help you too!

For effective and diligent legal help regarding Canadian Immigration matters, we partner with Weekes Law Office.

WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

Are you looking for an immigration pathway to Canada? If you do not know where to look and how to start, we invite you to book an eligibility consultation with us. We will prepare an individualized assessment report for you and guide you on your immigration journey to Canada.

We advise you to complete the assessment questionnaire now in order to properly plan your application.