New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream



The New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream has replaced the Entrepreneurial Stream which is now closed and no longer accepting applications. If you have submitted an application prior to the stream closing, please visit the Entrepreneurial Stream page.

The New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream is an economic immigration pathway for experienced entrepreneurs who are ready to establish, operate, and actively manage a business while living and settling in New Brunswick permanently.


New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream Road Map

Step 1: Learn about working and living in New Brunswick.

Step 2: Prepare all the required documents.     

Step 3: Register a profile with the New Brunswick INB system and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).

Step 4: Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the Government of New Brunswick. 

Step 5: If accepted, receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Step 6: Submit an application to the New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream. 

Step 7: Receive a decision from the Government of New Brunswick. 

Step 8: If accepted, apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a work permit. 

Step 9: Once approved, relocate to New Brunswick to establish and operate your business.

Step 10: After six months of business operation, apply to the Goverment of New Brunswick for provincial nomination. 

Step 11: Receive a decision from the Goverment of New Brunswick.

Step 12: If nominated, apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Canadian permanent residence. 

Step 13: Receive a decision from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)/permanent residence visa. 


Getting Started

Applicants under this stream must meet the minimum eligibility requirements for age, language, education, personal net worth, business ownership and/or senior management experience, and business concept. Eligibility requirements must be met at the time of the Expression of Interest (EOI) application and nomination. Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee that you will be nominated.

The Government of New Brunswick (GNB) reserves the right to consider only certain types of new businesses or the purchase of existing businesses for economic development. Decisions are based on the economic situation of the New Brunswick labour market, current inventory, yearly nomination allocations distributed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and any other factors determined by GNB.

If you are interested in learning about exploratory visits, virtual exploratory visits, or have questions about our program, please contact [email protected]


Submitting Your Application

1. Read Our Guide

Consult the New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream Guide which provides comprehensive information on the program. Please read it carefully before applying.

Topics covered include eligibility requirements, selection factors, the application process, and other important information.

Additional Resources

2. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

If you meet all eligibility criteria and selection factors, you can apply to the New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream by registering online and submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the province through the INB Portal.

3. Receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

The province will review your Expression of Interest (EOI), and if you are selected, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in your INB account. If an ITA is sent to you, then you can submit a full application online.

4. Complete Your Electronic Application

The application and all supporting documents must be submitted electronically through your INB account. All documents must be provided as PDF files. Make sure your application is complete and includes all mandatory forms and documents.

Submitting an application and meeting the eligibility requirements for the New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream does NOT guarantee a nomination. The Government of New Brunswick reserves the right to change criteria and/or pause streams.

Before submitting your complete application, you must pay your fees through your online account. Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children are included in the processing fee. Processing fees are non-refundable. The Canadian $250 processing fee is payable by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, INTERAC Online or Visa/Debit.

6. Wait for a Decision

Your application will be assessed according to eligibility requirements and selection factors. The government of New Brunswick will advise you of the final decision in writing and upload that decision to your online profile’s dashboard. The decision to issue a nomination certificate will be at the sole discretion of he government of New Brunswick. If you are nominated you can apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence (PR). Remember, you must maintain the conditions of your nomination while you are awaiting a decision on your permanent residence (PR) application.


After Nomination

If you receive a provincial nomination, you may then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a permanent residence (PR) visa.

You, your spouse, and dependents must meet statutory requirements for medical, security, and criminal admissibility. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has the final authority to issue a permanent residence (PR) visa. There is no guarantee that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will approve your permanent residence (PR) application even if you are nominated by the Government of New Brunswick.

The province will issue a letter of support for a temporary work permit so you can get to New Brunswick and start building your business while your application for permanent residence is being processed.

Entrepreneurial stream PDF forms

Important Notice

The Entrepreneurial Stream forms are for existing clients of the Entrepreneurial Stream only and are not valid for the current and active New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream.

For information on refunds for reasons such as a withdrawal of application to the Entrepreneur Stream or a refusal of permanent resident application please email [email protected].


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