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New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream Guide: What Entrepreneurs Need to Know
The New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream targets experienced entrepreneurs aiming to establish and actively manage a business in New Brunswick while pursuing permanent residence.
Summary
New Brunswick's Business Immigration Stream is designed for entrepreneurs who want to launch or purchase and actively operate a business in the province. Applicants must meet provincial and federal immigration requirements, demonstrate business management experience, and contribute to the local economy through job creation and business growth. The process involves submitting a detailed business plan, undergoing assessments, and maintaining compliance from nomination to permanent residence.
Key points
- New Brunswick’s Business Immigration Stream is designed for experienced entrepreneurs who want to establish, operate, and actively manage a business in the province while pursuing permanent residence.
- Applicants must treat this as both an immigration process and a serious business commitment; it is not a passive investment route.
- Candidates should be involved in day-to-day management and contribute to the economy through job creation and business growth.
- The stream targets candidates who can launch a new business or purchase and improve an existing eligible business in New Brunswick.
- Applicants must meet provincial and federal immigration requirements throughout the process.
- Eligibility focuses on age, language ability, education, business/management experience, personal net worth, source of funds, minimum investment, business ownership, active management obligations, and intent to reside in New Brunswick.
- Officers assess credibility, ensuring the applicant's background, finances, and business model align logically.
- The application process includes preparing a profile and business concept, submitting documents and provincial forms, completing interviews or assessments, receiving provincial nomination, applying federally for permanent residence, and operating the business according to program conditions.
- A competitive business plan must detail the product/service, target market, revenue model, financial projections, hiring plans, economic impact, operational timeline, and risk mitigation.
- Common reasons for delays or refusals include unclear source of funds, weak business rationale specific to New Brunswick, overstated projections, limited management proof, inconsistent documents, and treating the stream as investment-only.
- Applicants are advised to confirm eligibility criteria, validate business concepts with local market research, prepare clear source-of-funds documentation, build realistic financial and hiring projections, ensure consistency in forms and records, and prepare for post-arrival business execution.
Policy changes
- Introduction and detailed guidance on the New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream emphasizing active management and economic contribution rather than passive investment.
Who is affected
- Experienced entrepreneurs seeking to establish, operate, and actively manage a business in New Brunswick while pursuing permanent residence.
How to apply / next steps
- Prepare a detailed business profile and concept.
- Submit required documents and provincial forms.
- Complete interviews or additional assessments if requested.
- Receive provincial nomination upon approval.
- Apply federally for permanent residence.
- Establish and operate the business according to program conditions.
Dates
- Published February 8, 2026