New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream

Overview

This stream functions as an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. The first step in this process is the submission of an EOI to the New Brunswick Department of Post Secondary Education, Training and Labour.

Once an application is reviewed and assessed based on the eligibility requirements, an applicant is assigned a score based on various factors.

The highest-ranked candidates are invited to submit an application for a provincial nomination under the NBPNP.

Eligibility Requirements for Applicants

In order to be eligible for the New Brunswick Business Stream, individuals must: 

• Be between 21 and 59 years of age;
• Have a minimum of a two-year post-secondary education after high school;
• Have a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English or French;
• Demonstrate an intention to live and operate a business in New Brunswick;
  • The applicant must assume a day-to-day management role in the business.
• Provide a business plan, approved by a New Brunswick government official, that will show how the business will benefit New Brunswick;
• Have a personal net worth of at least $600,000 CAD of which $300,000 must be unaffected by debts or other obligations;
• Have at least three out of five years of experience in managing and owning a business (of at least 33.3%) or have five years out of five of experience in a senior business management role or more, and be responsible for supervising at least two employees;
• Want to live permanently in New Brunswick, while owning and managing a local business;
• Present a business concept that demonstrates the potential to provide significant economic benefit to the province; and
• Score at least 65 points on New Brunswick's unique selection grid.

Selection Factors and Points

If all other eligibility criteria (outlined above) are met and the business plan is approved, applicants will be assessed and assigned a score out of 100 based on the following selection factors. An individual must score at least 65 points to be considered eligible. 

Factor 1: Age

Factor 2: Language

Applicant must meet the minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English or French in all four language abilities: reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Applicants must provide valid test results from one of the following designated third-party language test providers:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training;
• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General;
• Test d’évaluation de français pour le Canada (TEF Canada); or
• Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada)

Factor 3: Education

Applicants may be awarded a maximum of 25 points for education and must have a minimum of two years post-secondary education after high school.

Foreign educational credentials must be supported by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) that dates back no later than five years prior to the date an application registered by the Department. 

Factor 4: Personal net worth

Applicants must have a verifiable personal net worth of at least $500,000 CAD .

Factor 5: Business ownership and /or Senior Management Experience

Applicants are assessed based on the number of years they have owned a business or worked as a senior manager in a business as well as based on the type of management experience. Applicants may be awarded a maximum of 15 points based on business ownership and/or senior management experience.

Business owners must have had a third of the business equity for three of the five years prior to submitting an application in a business with at least two employees. 

To claim points for senior management experience, applicants must demonstrate five years of experience as a senior manager in a private sector, for-profit business within the past five years. As a senior manager,  the applicant must have been:

• responsible for supervising at least two employees,
• the person responsible for hiring and firing, or able to recommend these and other personnel actions, such as promotion and leave authorization; and
• personally involved in the day-to-day operations as a primary decision maker. 

Factor 6: Business Plan

Under the Business Stream, all candidates are required to submit a business plan with their application. The business plan is a written document explaining how the business will operate.

In developing the business plan, candidates need to show they have conducted extensive research and considered all economic, market and cultural factors.

Candidates may receive a maximum of 25 points for the business elements. The business concept must be 1,000 to 1,500 words in length and must be submitted with the EOI. In the business plan, the candidate must demonstrate that the business poses economic benefits to New Brunswick and operates with the sole purpose of earning profits by providing products and/or services. 

* Candidates must meet at least two conditions to claim total points

Factor 7: Adaptability Points for Spouse or Common-Law Partner

A candidate may be awarded a maximum of 5 points if his or her spouse/common-law partner has studied or worked in New Brunswick and meets the minimum language requirements.

Eligibility Requirements for the New Brunswick Business

In order to be considered eligible, the business must be:

• of significant economic benefit to New Brunswick;
• 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);
• the continued operation of an existing business or the establishment of a new business;
• a private-sector, for-profit entity with the primary purpose of earning profits through the sale of goods and/or services; and
• considered a “permanent establishment” as defined under subsection 400(2) of the Canadian Income Tax Regulations, 1985.

Business Investment and acquisition/ownership

Applicants must be prepared to make a minimum business investment of CAD $150,000 in New Brunswick. In addition, the applicant must have 33.33 percent ownership and assume an active senior management role in the daily operations of the business. 

Purchasing an established New Brunswick business

If an entrepreneur intends to purchase a pre-existing business, he or she must prove that the business:

• has been in continuous operation by the same owner for the three years prior to the purchase date; and that the owner is a permanent resident or citizen of Canada;
• will be purchased at a proven fair market value;
• has achieved a proven net profit for at least two of the previous three years as demonstrated by audited financial statements;
• will provide for the continued employment to existing staff on similar terms and conditions; and 
• is not in receivership and/or has not filed for bankruptcy for the three years prior to the date of purchase.

Operating the business and providing active management

When operating the business, the applicant must ensure the business:

• has all the necessary licenses and permits from the applicable municipal, provincial and/or federal authorities;
• pays income taxes on taxable income earned in the province, regardless of income or other taxes that may also be payable in other jurisdictions as a result of income earned or other business activities;
• complies with all legislation in the province including, but not limited to, the Employment Standards Act, Human Rights Act and Occupational Health and Safety Act;
• follows all Canadian laws in establishing, purchasing and maintaining the business; and 
• be in operation for two years from the date of the refund and release of the deposit of CAD $100,000 to the applicant.

The applicant must assume active management of the business by:

• assuming risks and determining the direction of the business;
• providing ongoing and active management to the business from within New Brunswick; and
• being present at the business premises on a daily basis.

Creating jobs in New Brunswick 

The business must create at least two full-time jobs for permanent residents or citizens of Canada living in New Brunswick. The two full-time jobs cannot be for the applicant, his or her spouse/common-law partner dependant children and/or other family members.

Participating in site visits 

The NBPNP may organize two site visits to the business grounds to ensure the applicant is in compliance with the terms and conditions outlined in the Business Performance Agreement. Provincial representatives may require an applicant to provide additional information and/or documents including but not limited to: proof of business registration and incorporation; business permits and licences; bank statements; invoices showing proof of eligible investment; financial statements prepared by a certified or chartered accountant; business income tax assessments; and payroll documents.

The site visit may take place on:

• the start of the business commencement date;
• 12 months after the business commencement date;
• the date the department receives your written request for the refund of the deposit of CAD $100,000, without interest. 

New Brunswick Business Stream Application Process

Step 1: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

The first step toward permanent residence n New Brunswick under the Business Stream is the submission of an EOI to apply for the program. Before submitting an EOI, individuals must demonstrate at least one of the following connections: 

1. A visit to New Brunswick that lasted at least five business days within the 12 months prior to submitting an EOI;
2. The applicant and/or the spouse/common-law partner has a diploma or certificate that required at least two years of full-time study at a New Brunswick post-secondary institution (after completion of high school); 
3. The applicant and/or the spouse/common-law partner has experience in a high-skilled occupation (NOC A, B or 0) for a New Brunswick company of at least 12 consecutive months (30 hours per week); 
4. The applicant and/or the spouse/common-law partner has family members (i.e., parents, grandparents, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, who are Permanent Residents or Canadian citizens) residing in New Brunswick for at least 12 months, or dependent children studying in the province.

In order to be entered into the pool of potential candidates, individuals must first meet the minimum eligibility requirements, score at least 65 points across all selection factors and present a business concept that outlines the business's significance for economic growth in the province.

The NBPNP ranks candidates in the pool using a point-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System and candidates with higher scores are more likely to receive an invitation to apply to the Business Stream. 

Step 2:  Prepare your Business Plan

Applicants must prepare a business plan that outlines the objectives and details how they will be achieved. As the owner or operator of the business, you will need to be actively involved in the development of the plan. You will not be prohibited from engaging a third party to assist in the development of the plan, but you are expected to have full knowledge of the plan and will be held accountable for its contents. If it is found that you are not aware of the details and/or are unable to defend the plan, your application will be refused.

Step 3: Invitation to apply

Step 4: Application to the New Brunswick Business Stream

Along with signing all the required forms, providing documents in the required format, applicants need to submit a more detailed Business plan with their application. Various New Brunswick government departments may review the detailed business plan submitted with the full application to: 

• evaluate the overall quality of the plan;
• assess if the applicant has conducted sufficient research when preparing the plan;
• determine the practical application the business plan in New Brunswick;
• review the likelihood of the business becoming economically established through the implementation of the plan; and
• consider any other factors as determined by the NBPNP. 

It is important that all applicants undergo a professional net worth verification process. The service provider is required to provide a copy of the Net Worth Verification Report to the NBPNP following an assessment of the applicant's total verifiable net worth, verifiable unencumbered funds, details on the legal accumulation of funds, and any financial concerns that may require further investigation. 

Step 5: Interview

During the evaluation of an application, an applicant may be required to participate in an interview with NBPNP Program Officers. While participating in an interview is not a mandatory step in the application process, applicants that are required to participate will have to attend either an in-person or web-based video conference. 

The objective of the interview will be to validate the information submitted in the application and confirm understanding and knowledge regarding the business plan and its implementation.  Applicants may be refused as a result of NBPNP Program Officer's dissatisfaction with the applicant's performance in an interview.

Step 6: Nomination and Canadian Permanent Residence application 

If nominated by New Brunswick, the applicant will receive a provincial nomination certificate, which remains valid for nine months from the date of issuance. Business applicants are required to submit a complete application for Canadian permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) during the six month time period. 

Who is not eligible to apply to the New Brunswick Business Stream

Candidates should not apply if they:

• Have an application in process under another immigration program in Canada;
• Own a property and/or a business in another province or territory in Canada;
• 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 live-in caregivers; or
• Are seasonal workers.