The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program Entrepreneur Stream

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program Entrepreneur Stream (NBPNP) was created for experienced entrepreneurs and executives who intend to establish, operate and manage a business while living in New Brunswick. Since this program was launched in 2017, it has been extremely popular due to its fast processing time, low cost, and it’s the only Canadian PNP Entrepreneur Program which grants Permanent Residency (PR) to investors and their families.

New Brunswick is a lovely Maritime province on the east-central coast of Canada. It’s a nature-lover’s paradise with lush evergreen forests, a variety of wildlife, warm saltwater beaches, and a cluster of charming small cities. New Brunswick offers residents a safe, peaceful, affordable place to live and establish their business.

Investment Options (NBPNP)

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program offers one simple investment pathway for investors via its Entrepreneur Stream.

Applicants are required to invest a minimum of CAD $250,000 into either their own business, or an existing business in which they control at least 33.33% equity.

Established business ventures must adhere to the following conditions:

• Continually operated by the same owner for the three years prior to the purchase date.
• The business owner must be a permanent resident or citizen of Canada.
• Purchased at a proven fair market value. Achieved a proven net profit for at least two of the previous three years as demonstrated by audited financial statements.
• Will provide continued employment to existing staff on similar terms and conditions.
• Is not in receivership and/or has not filed for bankruptcy for the three years prior to the date of purchase.

Additional Fees Associated with the NBPNP

In addition to the investment, there are several other required fees:

Government Deposit: CAD $100,000 - This deposit may be refunded one year after the business commencement date if the investor meets the refund conditions, including living and managing the proposed business in New Brunswick.

• Net Worth Verifier* - $4,500 
• Province of New Brunswick Fees - $2,000
• Exploratory Visit Fee (if applicable) - $1,500 
• Federal application professional and government fees - variable 

*Fee may vary.
Fees are subject to change without prior notice.

Qualifications & Conditions to Apply

In addition to the investment requirements, there are several other conditions that must be met in order to qualify for the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program . Applicants must:

1. Be between 22-55 years of age.
   
   
2. Demonstrate verifiable personal net worth of more than CAD $600,000, including CAD $300,000 of unencumbered liquidity.
   
   
3. Management experience: either three out of five years managing and owning a business (33.3% ownership) or have at least five years of experience in a senior business management role.
   
   
4. Intend to settle permanently in New Brunswick while owning and managing a local business.
   
   
5. Meet the language requirements in speaking, listening, reading and writing competencies in English or French.
   
   
6. Meet the educational requirements: have a two-year post-secondary education after high school diploma equal to a Canadian credential.
   
   
7. Score at least 65/100 points on the eligibility calculator.
   
   
8. Exploratory trip to New Brunswick, Canada*

*Currently, the Province of New Brunswick is not allowing exploratory trips until COVID restrictions have been lifted. 

Business Requirements - Which business is eligible under the NBPNP?

The business must:

• Provide economic benefit to the province.
• Create at least 2 jobs. 
• Be established as a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation; (in the case of a partnership, the other partner(s) must be a Permanent Resident or Canadian Citizen).
• Be a private-sector, for-profit entity with the primary purpose of earning profits through the sale of goods and/or services.
• Be considered a “permanent establishment” as defined under subsection 400(2) of the Canadian Income Tax Regulations, 1985. 
• You must have a minimum of 33.33 percent ownership and assume an active senior management role in the day-to-day operation of the business.
  
  

Economic Benefit

Priority processing may occur for applications with business plans that have the greatest potential to create significant economic benefit through: 

•  Increased value-added manufacturing or processing for New Brunswick exports
•  Enhanced research and development
•  Development of new products and/or services
•  Development of innovative approaches to traditional businesses
•  Development and/or enhancements of new technologies
•  The transfer of technology and specialized knowledge to New Brunswick
•  Providing products and/or services to an under-served local or regional market

Application process

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee program has a straightforward application process. Applications are generally processed within 14 to 20 months, but they may take longer if the Department of Post-Secondary Education Training and Labour (PETL) requires more information from an applicant. The key stages of the application process are outlined in detail below.

Step-by-Step Process

Part 1: Application to the NBPNP for a nomination certificate

Applications are assessed on an expression of interest basis which evaluates six factors: age, language, education, experience, business plan, and spouse’s adaptability.

If you meet all eligibility criteria and selection factors, you can apply to the NBPNP by  submitting an Expression Of Interest (EOI). If an Invitation To Apply (ITA) is sent to your attention, then you are eligible to submit a full application after that. The processing time varies depending on the time required for the  verification of documents included in your application and on the volume of applications received. In some  cases, you may be asked to attend an interview.  

Part 2: Application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for a PR visa

If you are nominated by PETL, you may then apply to the Government of Canada for a permanent residency (PR) visa, through  Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). In this case, you will send your application to the IRCC  Centralized Intake Office in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. You, your spouse and dependents must meet  statutory requirements for medical, security and criminal admissibility. IRCC has the final authority to issue a  PR visa.

Required Documents

Connection to New Brunswick- Candidates must identify at least one eligible connection.

• NB Exploratory Trip Report
• Attendance at an NB Session- Provide the date (mm/dd/yyyy) and location 
• Proof of post-secondary studies in NB - for you or your spouse
• Proof of employment in NB - for you or your spouse
• Proof of family member living in NB as PR or Canadian Citizen
• Proof of dependent child studying in NB

List of Documents

• Passport copies 
• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificate(s) (if applicable)
• Final divorce an annulment certificates(s) (if applicable)
• National ID’s (if applicable
• Family / household registry/book (if applicable)
• Foreign education certificates
• CVs 
• Narrative Statement of Accumulated Funds
• Capital Verification Report
• Documentations will be specific for each applicant depending on their condition and source of the funds.

Benefits of the NBPNP

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program  provides many benefits and opportunities when it comes to lifestyle, business, and wealth management. We’ve compiled a list of the key benefits below: