Which occupations are eligible?

The pilot covers a range of NOC tiers — both skilled and lower-skilled occupations identified by New Brunswick as critical to the provincial labour market. We verify your specific NOC during the consultation.

How do I find a Designated Employer?

The province maintains a list of Designated Employers participating in the pilot. We help screen which employers align with your occupation and experience, and coach you on how to approach them.

Can my family come with me?

Yes — spouses and dependent children can be included on the PR application. Spouses typically receive open work permits during processing.

Do I have to live in New Brunswick?

The pilot is built around genuine intent to settle in New Brunswick. While there's no permanent legal restriction on movement once PR is granted, leaving the province quickly is inconsistent with the pilot's purpose.

What if my employer withdraws?

Provincial endorsement is tied to the specific employer relationship. If the relationship ends before PR is granted, the endorsement may be revoked. We help structure expectations on both sides before commitment.

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Canada

PR Pathway

NB Critical Worker Pilot

The New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot is an employer-driven permanent-residency stream for selected occupations, including both skilled and lower-skilled roles. For Pakistani applicants with concrete New Brunswick job offers, it offers a direct path to PR with a structured settlement plan.

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Content last reviewed 15 April 2026

Overview

What this visa is — and who it's for.

The pilot is delivered by the Government of New Brunswick in partnership with designated employers. Unlike general Express Entry, this stream prioritizes employer endorsement and integration support over points-based rankings — making it accessible to candidates whose CRS scores don't carry them through federal draws.

Designated employers identify eligible candidates, support the work-permit and PR application, and commit to a settlement plan covering housing assistance, language training, and workplace integration. We coordinate between the candidate, the employer, and the province throughout the process.

Requirements

What you'll need to bring.

Essential documents

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

Eligibility criteria

Full-time, permanent job offer from a Designated Employer in New Brunswick
Occupation falls within the pilot's eligible NOC categories
Required work experience for the specific occupation
Minimum language test score per NOC tier (CLB 4 for some lower-skilled, CLB 5+ for skilled)
Required educational credentials (varies by NOC level)
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 a Designated Employer who has agreed to participate in the pilot and support the application.
2
Settlement plan agreement
2–4 weeks
Employer and candidate agree the settlement plan covering housing, language support, workplace integration, and community connection.
3
Provincial endorsement
4–8 weeks
Application submitted to the Government of New Brunswick for review and endorsement.
4
Work permit application
4–12 weeks
With provincial endorsement, apply for a Canadian work permit to begin work while the PR application proceeds.
5
PR application
6–14 months
Submit the federal permanent-residency application based on the provincial endorsement; standard processing applies.
6
Landing & integration
First year
Land as a permanent resident, settle in New Brunswick, and engage the settlement plan with employer support.

Processing time

End-to-end timelines vary considerably based on provincial review queues and federal PR processing. We share the latest published estimates during consultation; we do not promise specific dates.

Fees

Federal application fees, biometric fees, language test fees, and any settlement service costs are payable separately. Our consultancy engagement fee is disclosed during the eligibility assessment, scoped to the specific stream and complexity.

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.