The Hidden Gem of Canadian Business Immigration: A Deep Dive into the New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream

Jun 7, 2025

It was a pleasure to recently join Saeed Zeinali as a guest expert on the NextStarts podcast to do a deep dive into one of Canadian immigration's most promising pathways: the New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream. For those who tuned in to our discussion, thank you for the great questions and engagement. For those who missed it, I wanted to provide a detailed written overview of the key points I presented.


This article recaps that session, exploring why this underrated program is a golden opportunity for entrepreneurs ready to invest, operate a business, and build a new life in Canada.


You can view the presentation slides from the session and watch my full guest appearance on the NextStarts podcast at the end of this article.


Why New Brunswick's PNP Program Deserves Your Attention


In the competitive landscape of Canadian immigration, the New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream stands out for its clarity and de-risked approach. As I emphasized on the podcast, unlike programs that may require massive upfront investments before any guarantee of success, New Brunswick’s stream allows you to secure provincial approval based on a plan, arrive on a work permit to establish your venture, and then transition to permanent residency once you’ve proven your business's viability.


This is a program designed for active, hands-on business people. It’s not for passive investors. It’s for those who want to be present at their business daily, influence its direction, and contribute directly to the local economy1. This focus on genuine economic contribution is what makes the program so stable and reliable. New Brunswick is looking for partners in its economic growth, and it provides a structured framework to ensure those partners succeed.


The Blueprint for Success: Core Eligibility Requirements


The foundation of the program, as outlined in my presentation, is a set of clear and attainable eligibility criteria. Before diving deep into a business search, prospective applicants can quickly assess if they are a potential fit. The program is points-based, and you must score a minimum of 65 out of 100 points to be considered.


Here are the key requirements at a glance:


  • Age: You must be between 19 and 59 years old.


  • Net Worth: You need a verifiable personal net worth of at least CAD$500,000, which is lowered to CAD$300,000 for those investing in the agriculture sector. This must be legally obtained and verified by a designated third-party firm.


  • Minimum Investment: A minimum investment of CAD$150,000 into an eligible New Brunswick business is required.


  • Business Experience: You must have at least two years of experience within the last five years as either a business owner (with at least 51% equity) or a senior manager.


  • Language: A minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in English or French across all four abilities is required.


  • Education: You must have the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma, verified by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if obtained abroad.


  • Business Control: You must own and control at least 33.3% equity in the qualifying business.


  • Job Creation: Your business must create at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident


The Journey: A Step-by-Step Path to Permanent Residency


As I broke down on the podcast, the program's multi-stage process is one of its most attractive features. You don't buy a business and hope for the best; you get approval at each stage before proceeding to the next.


  1. The Plan (Expression of Interest): The journey begins not with a purchase, but with a plan. You submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), which includes a detailed business plan outlining your proposed venture. This step is free of charge.


  2. The Invitation (Provincial Application): If your EOI is selected, you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). You then have 90 days to submit a complete application, pay the CAD$2,000 fee, and provide all supporting documents, including your net worth verification report.


  3. The Agreement (Work Permit): Upon approval, you sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) with the province. This contract outlines your commitments. With this, you receive a letter of support to apply to the federal government for a work permit.


  4. The Operation (Business Establishment): After arriving in New Brunswick, you have nine months to officially open your business and must operate it for at least six consecutive months while meeting your BPA conditions.


  5. The Goal (Permanent Residency): Once you have successfully run your business and met the terms of your agreement, you can apply for your provincial nomination certificate. With this nomination, you submit your final application for permanent residency to the federal government.


Navigating the Biggest Challenge: Finding Your Business


A critical point I emphasized during my conversation with Saeed was the primary challenge applicants face: finding a suitable business to purchase or conceptualizing a new one that is viable and meets the program's strict criteria. For those looking to buy an existing business, it must have been in continuous operation by the same owner for the previous three years and have a proven record of profitability/


This requires intensive due diligence, often from thousands of miles away. It involves conducting a thorough exploratory visit, connecting with business brokers, and analyzing complex financial statements. This is where a strategic approach and expert guidance become indispensable. Tackling this alone is a monumental task. A successful applicant needs an integrated support team: an immigration lawyer to oversee the process, a business advisor to identify opportunities, an accountant to vet the financials, and a business plan writer to create a compelling proposal.


At Blacksy Immigration, our role is to be that cohesive support team. We take the expert information I presented on the podcast and help you put it into action. We guide our clients through the complexities of the business search, due diligence, and legal application process, ensuring your journey is as smooth and secure as possible.


Your Future in New Brunswick


The New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream is more than just an immigration program; it's a launchpad for your entrepreneurial future in Canada. It offers a structured, transparent, and attainable path for those with the right experience and vision. With its focus on active engagement and genuine economic contribution, it provides a solid foundation for both business success and permanent residency.


If you need to learn more about New Brunswick's Business Immigration PNP program, you can watch my talk below. If you wish to have a copy of my presentation, it can be found in this link.


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About the Author


I’m Ahmet Faruk Ocak, a Canadian immigration lawyer and the founder of Blacksy Immigration Law Firm 🌊. 


At Blacksy, we specialize in providing honest, straightforward, and tailored immigration solutions to individuals and businesses worldwide. Our brand promise is simple: no unnecessary fuss, no false hopes, and no empty promises—just realistic, reliable guidance to help you achieve your immigration goals.


Whether you’re expanding your business to Canada, transferring top talent, or planning your future here, we’re here to guide you with precision, transparency, and care.


Visit us at www.blacksyimmigration.com to learn more or to start your journey.