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Post Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream

SIIS Canada  /  Canada Immigration  /  Provincial Nominee Programs  /  New Brunswick  /  Post Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream

Post Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream

Post Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream - NBPNP

The Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream (PGES) is an economic immigration option under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP). It is open to individuals who have graduated from a recognized university or the New Brunswick Community College.
This New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) stream offers a pathway to reside in New Brunswick permanently for individuals who have graduated from a recognized academic institution in New Brunswick, and have started or acquired a business in the province.

In order to apply for the NBPNP PGES, individuals must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour. EOIs will be assessed according to the following factors: age, language, education, work experience, the economic benefit of the business in NB and adaptability. Candidates selected by the NBPNP will be issued an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination from New Brunswick.

This page will explain the following topics:

  • Eligibility Requirements for Applicants
  • Expression of Interest Points
  • Eligibility Requirements for the Business
  • Application Process, Nomination, and Settlement in New Brunswick

Eligibility Requirements for Applicants

In order to be eligible under the PGES, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • be between 22-40 years of age;
  • prove a minimum language proficiency level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French for all four language abilities: reading, writing, listening and speaking;
  • score a minimum of 65 out of 100 in New Brunswick's PGES points assessment;
  • have completed a full-time New Brunswick post-secondary degree or diploma for at least two years (15 hours of class per week) from a recognized university in New Brunswick or the New Brunswick Community College;
  • have resided in New Brunswick during the academic program (distance-learning programs or compressed academic programs are not eligible);
  • have owned and operated a business in New Brunswick for at least one full year (100% ownership of business equity);
  • have a valid post-graduation work permit; and
  • demonstrate intention and ability to settle in New Brunswick.

In addition to meeting the minimum requirements for the applicant, the established business must meet eligibility requirements for the program.

Expression of Interest Points

The first step for eligible individuals is to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form. An EOI will be reviewed based on the following factors: age, language, education, work experience, the economic benefit of the business (to the province), and adaptability. Candidates are assigned a score based on the following:

Selection factor Maximum Points
Age 10
Language 35
Education 25
Work Experience 10
Economic Benefit of Business 10
Adaptability 10
Total 100 points

Age

Age Points
Less than 21 years 0
22-34 years 10
35-40 years 5
41 or more 0

Language

Applicants to the program must submit language test results that are not more than 18 months old at the time of applying for the stream. Test results must be from one of the following designated language test providers:

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS — General) for English language proficiency;
  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP — General) for English language proficiency; and
  • Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF) for French language proficiency.
First official language Points
Speaking Listening Reading Writing
CLB level 9 or higher 7 7 7 7
CLB level 8 6 6 6 6
CLB level 7 5 5 5 5
Second official language Points
CLB level 7 or higher 7
Maximum points 35

Education

Education (Canadian or equivalent) Points
Doctoral level university degree (Ph.D.) Awarded by a New Brunswick university (a Master’s degree must have been completed before the PhD). 25
Masters or Professional Degree* Awarded by a New Brunswick graduate college or university (A Bachelor’s degree must have been completed beforehand).

Professional degrees must be licensed by the NB regulatory body in medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, podiatry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine or pharmacy.

 23
Two or more Canadian degrees or diplomas At least one degree or diploma shall be awarded by a New Brunswick college or university that required at least 3 years of full-time study. 22
Post Secondary Academic degree Awarded by a New Brunswick college or university for completion of an undergraduate curriculum that required at least 3 years of full-time study. 21
Post-Secondary Diploma Awarded by a New Brunswick college or university in a specific trade that required at least 2 years of full-time study after high school. 19
Maximum points 25

Note: Individuals possessing educational credentials exclusively outside New Brunswick are ineligible to apply. The term “equivalent” refers to the possibility for an applicant to list any further educational credential obtained outside New Brunswick (an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is required) in addition to the education completed in New Brunswick.

Work Experience

Applicants are awarded points for their past work experience, excluding the one year of business operations in New Brunswick.

Work Experience (last 10 years) Points
6 or more years in the last 10 years in NOC O, A or B 10
1-5 years in the last 10 years in the NOC O, A or B 5
Maximum points 10

Economic Benefit of the Business

Economic Benefit of the Business to New Brunswick Points
Business is located outside of Fredericton, Moncton and Saint John 5
Business is in the agricultural sector 5
Business is in a priority sector, as defined by the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour 5
Maximum points 10

Adaptability

Adaptability factor Points
Spouse/common-law partner has at least one year of continuous full-time employment in New Brunswick 5
Spouse/common-law partner has completed at least two years of full-time study, in a minimum two-year program at a post-secondary institution in New Brunswick with a valid study permit (if applicable) 5
Spouse/common-law partner meets the minimum level CLB 5 in English or French in all four language abilities 5
Applicant or spouse/common-law partner has a close family relative (son, daughter, brother, sister, mother, father, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew) who is a permanent resident or citizen of Canada (18+) living in New Brunswick for at least one year. 10
Applicant has additional job skills demonstrated through training or experience and supported by a post-secondary credential (i.e. certificate, diploma, degree) requiring at least one year of full-time study after high school. 5
Maximum points 10

Eligibility Requirements for the Business

For a business to be considered eligible under the PGES, it needs to meet the following minimum criteria:

  • The business must have been in operation for a minimum one year prior to submission of the application;
  • The applicant must have 100 percent ownership of the equity of the business;
  • The applicant must receive compensation in the form of a salary from the business which must, at minimum, meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) as defined by statistics Canada + 10 percent;
  • The business must create at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident apart from a family member. The position must meet prevailing wage levels and must be directly related to the business;

Application Process, Nomination, and Settlement in New Brunswick

The process of applying for and receiving Canadian permanent residence through the PGES streams can be summed up in five steps:

1. Submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the NBPNP

The first step in applying to the PGES is submitting an EOI. Individuals who meet the eligibility requirements for the program (listed above) will be placed into a pool of potential applicants and will be assigned a score based on the PGES points-based system.

The highest-ranked candidates will be selected from the pool and invited to apply to the program. To rank candidates, the NBPNP will assess candidates based on a point-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System.

Candidates who obtain higher scores will have a better chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). It is important that candidates review the eligibility requirements of the program when submitting an EOI to the program.

2. Receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

After obtaining an ITA letter, candidates are required to submit a complete application to the NBPNP within 90 days. The ITA letter includes a number that the applicant will need to include with the application.

3. Completing the application and attending an interview

When preparing the application, it is important that the candidate answers all the questions in the form, provides the necessary documents in the required format, and signs the forms as required. Supporting documents that are neither in English or French must be translated by a certified translator or interpreter that is a member of a translation or interpretation provincial or territorial organization.

As part of the application, the candidate is responsible for providing and paying for an Audit Opinion and Special Purpose Report. The report must be completed by a New Brunswick designated Audit Service Verifier.

The Audit opinion will include an audit of the financial statements of the business and the Special Purpose Report must include the following:

  • The financial viability and sustainability of the business discussing any relevant issues affecting the business’ ability to continue in the near future as a going concern;
  • Recommendation for the business to improve its viability and sustainability;
  • A determination of any issues, challenges or concerns pertaining to auditing the financial statements; and
  • A business review which may include but is not limited to market analysis, product analysis, competitive analysis, and financial analysis.

When assessing an application, the NBPNP will conduct a full review of the application and verify the information provided in the EOI. Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements will be invited to participate in an in-person interview with a NBPNP Immigration Officer.

The applicant needs to be available for an interview within 15 business days of receiving the request. The interview will include a site visit to the business. There are two possible outcomes following the interview:

  • Refusal Decision: If the interview is unsuccessful, the applicant will receive a refusal letter from the Department with no possibility of appeal.
  • Nomination Decision: If the interview is successful, the applicant will receive a nomination certificate which remains valid for six months from the date of issuance.
4. Applying for Canadian permanent residence with IRCC

Candidates must submit a complete Canadian permanent residence application and provide the required supporting documents to IRCC before the New Brunswick provincial nomination certificate expires within six months.

5. Reporting landing

If the permanent residence application is approved by IRCC, a permanent resident visa will be issued to the applicant (and spouse/partner and/or dependents, if applicable). It is important to report landing using the correct forms within 30 days of obtaining a permanent resident visa to finalize the settlement process with the NBPNP.

The New Brunswick business must remain in operation for a minimum of three years after receiving permanent residence in Canada.