Estimate your selection score for the New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream using the 100-point grid in the official ImmigrationNB stream guide (March 2025 version, opened on October 18, 2026). The pass mark is 65. The score is only one requirement: the net-worth, investment, job-creation and business-operation requirements apply separately.
0/ 100 points (estimate)
How the score is calculated
| Factor | How points are earned | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 19 to 49: 10. 50 to 59: 5. | 10 |
| Language | First official language, each of four abilities: CLB/NCLC 7 or higher 5, CLB/NCLC 5 or 6: 4, CLB/NCLC 4: 3 (up to 20). Second official language at CLB/NCLC 4 or higher in all four abilities: 5. | 25 |
| Education | Master's or doctorate: 20. Post-secondary academic degree: 16. Post-secondary diploma: 13. High school diploma: 10. | 20 |
| Business experience | Owner (51% or more, day-to-day decision maker, supervising two or more full-time staff): 15 for 10 of the last 10 years, 12 for 6 to 9 of the last 10 years, 8 for 2 of the last 5 years. Senior manager with the same conditions: 9, 7 or 5. | 15 |
| Business plan and economic benefit | Visit of 5 or more business days in the past 12 months with a trip report: 5. Transfer of 5 or more years of ownership experience to the same industry or sector: 4. Business more than 20 km from the city centres of Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton: 5. Eligible investment of $150,000 to $499,999: 2, or more than $500,000: 3. Relevant statutes, regulations, by-laws and accreditation addressed: 3. Relevant, detailed market research: 5. | 25 |
| Adaptability | Spouse or partner with 1 or more years of full-time study in New Brunswick, 6 or more months of continuous full-time work in New Brunswick, or CLB/NCLC 4 in all four abilities: 5 (one award only). | 5 |
Shareholders who do not take an active day-to-day management role receive no ownership or management points. The tool lets you choose one experience line, the one that scores highest for you. The estimate counts a question you have not answered as zero points.
Requirements the score does not replace
- Age: 19 to 59 when you apply.
- Language: an approved test showing at least CLB/NCLC 4 in all four abilities. Results must be less than two years old at application, and scores from different reports cannot be combined.
- Education: at least a Canadian high school diploma or the foreign equivalent; a foreign credential needs an Educational Credential Assessment less than five years old.
- Net worth: a verifiable personal net worth of at least $500,000 ($300,000 for farming), verified by a designated third party after an invitation to apply. Inheritances, donations and gifts received less than six months before applying are not counted. ImmigrationNB notes that MDD Forensic Accountants no longer accepts new clients for this service; candidates are directed to Doane Grant Thornton LLP or MNP LLP.
- Investment: an eligible investment of at least $150,000 before tax, and control of at least 33.3% of the equity.
- Experience: at least two years of ownership or senior management of a for-profit business within the past five years.
- Investment caps: business premises (building and land, each) are counted up to 25% of the eligible investment or the actual cost, whichever is lower; initial inventory up to 50%; professional services up to 4% or $10,000; vehicles up to 5% or $15,000; personal-use purchases do not count.
- Job creation: at least one full-time job (30 or more hours a week) for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in New Brunswick. The applicant and family members cannot fill it.
- Deadlines after an invitation: the net-worth verification report is due within 90 days of the invitation to apply (and is valid for 12 months after issue); the full application is due within 90 days; the signed Business Performance Agreement is due within 60 days of the work permit support letter. The expression of interest is valid for 12 months, and a foreign credential assessment must be less than five years old.
- Residence: you must live in New Brunswick for 75% of the Business Establishment Period and within 100 km of the business (farm applicants on the farm or within 10 km).
- Operating the business: the business must open within nine months of arrival, with a two-year Business Establishment Period from arrival. A nomination can be requested only after at least six consecutive months of operation under the Business Performance Agreement.
How the stream works
- Submit an expression of interestThe expression of interest is free. Read the stream guide first.
- Wait for an invitation to applyOnly invited candidates can submit a complete application. A non-refundable $2,000 application fee is paid after the invitation, with no added fee for family members.
- Work permitIf the application is approved, apply for a work permit.
- Start the business and reportReport your arrival within one month (form NBBIS-004) and the business opening within nine months (NBBIS-005). A business plan update can be requested within three months (NBBIS-007), subject to approval.
- Request the nominationAfter six months of operation, request a nomination (NBBIS-006), then apply for permanent residence with the nomination certificate.
Limits of this estimate
Estimate only. The initial score shown in the ImmigrationNB portal is automatic and may be inaccurate; an ImmigrationNB officer determines the final score from your evidence. The stream guide says it takes precedence over the website if they differ. Reaching 65 is not an invitation, a nomination or a promise of permanent residence.
The official pages did not show a pause or closure notice for the Business Immigration stream on October 18, 2026. Check the ImmigrationNB important notices page before you plan your application. The older Entrepreneurial stream has been replaced by this stream; its forms are valid only for existing Entrepreneurial stream clients.
What to check next
- Read the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program guide.
- Compare other provincial tools on the provincial calculators page, or book an assessment to review your business plan.