Canada has long been recognized as a global hub for families, businesses, and skilled individuals seeking new opportunities.
When it comes to exceptional education, cutting-edge technology, and thriving business prospects, Canada stands out.
And the best part? Moving to Canada with your family as a permanent resident has never been more accessible than in 2024.
Gone are the days of requiring provincial nominations or extensive language proficiency tests in English or French.
Thanks to the groundbreaking New Brunswick Critical Worker Program (NBCWP), the path to relocating to Canada with your loved ones has become remarkably simplified.
In this guide, we will walk you through the steps and essentials of how to move to Canada with your family using the New Brunswick Critical Worker Program.
So let’s dive right in.
What is the New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot Program?
The New Brunswick Critical Worker Program (NBCWP) is a specialized stream within the Canadian immigration system, jointly established by the New Brunswick government and the federal government of Canada.
Designed to attract highly skilled individuals from around the world, this program offers an opportunity to work and settle in the province of New Brunswick as a permanent resident.
The NBCWP was introduced in November 2022, presenting a fresh avenue for entry into Canada.
It’s important to note that the NBCWPP operates under the employer stream category, meaning participants are required to work exclusively for a single employer throughout their stay in Canada.
It is essential to familiarize yourself with the six specific employers who participate in the NBCWP.
These employers include Cooke Aquaculture Inc., Groupe Savoie Inc., Groupe Westco, Imperial Manufacturing, J.D. Irving Ltd., and McCain Foods.
As part of the program, each of these employers is legally obligated to provide settlement benefits to their employees, enhancing the support and opportunities available to individuals who participate in the NBCWP.
Benefits/Features of the NBWP
The New Brunswick Critical Worker Program (NBCWP) offers a range of benefits and features to individuals employed by any of the six participating employers.
Here are some of the key advantages:
- Assistance with Accommodation: Once you have obtained your work permit, the program provides support in finding suitable housing, helping you settle down comfortably in New Brunswick.
- Language Training and Skill Support: Participants of the NBCWPP are eligible for 200 hours of language training and skill development to enhance their ability to adapt and thrive in the English or French-speaking work environment.
- Educational Support for Children: The program also assists in finding suitable schools for your children, ensuring they receive a quality education. Additionally, daycare services are available to provide reliable care for your kids while you work.
These benefits are just a glimpse of what the NBCWP offers, and it’s worth noting that the program provides an expedited pathway to enter Canada compared to other immigration programs.
The advantage lies in not requiring a province nomination approval before applying for a work permit.
Now, let’s explore the simple steps to enter Canada through the New Brunswick Critical Worker Program.
Imagine, becoming a permanent resident after just one year of working with any of the six employers involved.
How to Apply for the New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot Program?
It’s obvious, get a job offer, this time, from any of the 6 employers involved in the New Brunswick Critical Worker Program.
The following are to receive a specific employer work permit. The permit is your validation to enter Canada, cool yeah.
It is as easy as I have made it sound, however, there are some Eligibility Criteria you must meet.
How to Enter New Brunswick
- Get a Job offer from any of the 6 employers: meeting the language proficiency test keeps you ahead of other applicants, and get ready to present your high school diploma.
- Apply for a Canadian Visitor Visa: If you are an international immigrant planning to move to Canada with your family, obtaining a visitor’s visa is necessary. You can apply online or submit a paper application at the Canadian embassy in your home country.
- Provide Accurate Travel Information: Essential details such as the purpose of your travel, length of stay, and financial capability must be accurately stated during the application process.
- Await Approval: While waiting for the visa approval, stay engaged and prepared. Use this time to gather any required documents and ensure everything is in order.
- Prepare for the Trip: Take proactive steps toward successful immigration by securing accommodation and familiarizing yourself with information about New Brunswick.
- Travel to Canada: Once your visitor visa is granted, you can embark on your journey. Present your passport, visitor visa, and other required documents to the immigration officer upon arrival. Upon entry, you can explore job opportunities with any of the six employers.
If you were following, what should be strumming your thoughts now is “How can I apply for a Canadian visitors visa” Well, you’ve got it, don’t stop reading.
How to Get the Canadian Visitors Visa
As the name implies, the visitor visa allows you to enter Canada for visiting, vacation, and tourism purposes.
When applying for a visitor’s visa, each family member, including children, must complete an individual application and meet the requirements. However, you should indicate that they are your dependent accompanist.
The requirements typically include providing valid identification, demonstrating the intention to leave Canada after the visit, providing sufficient funds to support the stay, and having no criminal or immigration-related issues.
Let’s see how to lay your hands on this gem:
- Contact your employer i.e. any of the 6 employers that you wish to apply for a visitor visa. They will send you an application package for the program.
- Complete the application package and send it to the Immigration New Brunswick (INB) account. Make available the required documents and other information.
- If your application is approved, INB will send you a nomination alert and letter of support for the work permit application. From there, you’ll be instructed on further steps to take.
Requirements for Applying for Work Permit
I’m keeping this as crystal clear as possible on how to move to Canada with your family using the New Brunswick Critical Worker Program.
Listen carefully, get a job offer, secure the visitors’ visa for yourself and your family, then, this: getting a work permit, you should be ready for the following:
Job Offer
You must have a valid job offer from any of the 6 New Brunswick employers. The job offer should be for a full-time, permanent position in an occupation that is designated as critical by the government.
Work Experience
You should have at least 1 year of experience in a similar job occupation within the last 3 years.
Education and Training
Highly recommended is that you provide a Canadian high school diploma or an equivalent. Or be ready to pursue a two 2 education program in a Canadian school.
Language Proficiency
You should have at least a CLB in either the English language or French. Or, you should be willing to take a 200hrs language training by your employer.
Medical and Security Clearances
You will need to undergo medical examinations and provide police clearance certificates or other documents to demonstrate that you do not pose a security risk. This is simply you passing the Canadian admissibility test.
Financial Buoyancy
Proof that you can sponsor both yourself and family at least you’ve started earning.
How to Apply for the New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot Program
Application to the New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot Program is concluded in the following steps:
- Apply online to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada(IRCC): the nomination proof and letter of support are required for validation. Also, get ready to pay up application fees and submit your biometric data.
- Wait for Approval: when approved, you’ll receive a confirmation email with instructions on what to do next.
- Travel to New Brunswick: On arrival, you have to submit the letter of confirmation to eligible authorities and it’s your validation to start working for your employer immediately.
Job Opportunities in the New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot Program
The jobs available in the New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot Program are based on the number of employers that are in the system.
Also, the jobs here are held by the National Occupational Classification (NOC), which means that there is a high in-demand for these skills and Canada couldn’t match up.
Before we start calling out positions let’s recap the 6 employers and their areas of specialization so that you know which to reason:
Cooke Aquaculture Inc.
A prominent Canadian seafood farming company founded in 1985 by Gifford Cooke.
Based in Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick, it is one of the largest aquaculture companies in North America.
Cooke Aquaculture specializes in salmon farming and operates in Canada, the United States, Chile, Scotland, and Spain.
Groupe Savoie Inc
Groupe Savoie Inc.headquartered in Saint-Quentin, New Brunswick, is a leading manufacturer of high-quality hardwood flooring and related products.
With several sawmills and wood processing facilities, Groupe Savoie focuses on serving residential and commercial markets, employing sustainable forestry practices and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Groupe Westco
Groupe Westco, also known as Westco, is an agricultural cooperative situated in Atlantic Canada.
Established in 1995 in Saint-François-de-Madawaska, New Brunswick, Groupe Westco primarily operates in the poultry industry, specializing in chicken farming and processing.
Its divisions encompass chicken production, feed milling, grain handling, and transportation.
Imperial Manufacturing Group
Imperial Manufacturing Group, headquartered in Richibucto, New Brunswick, specializes in manufacturing and distributing HVAC products, residential and commercial building materials.
The company has multiple production facilities across Canada and the United States, offering a diverse range of products such as ductwork, registers, grilles, chimney systems, and other HVAC accessories.
J.D. Irving Ltd.
J.D. Irving Ltd., a privately-owned conglomerate founded in 1882, is based in Saint John, New Brunswick.
With diversified business interests spanning forestry, agriculture, shipbuilding, transportation, retail, and construction, J.D. Irving Ltd. is one of the largest employers in Atlantic Canada.
It operates in multiple provinces and states, with subsidiaries involved in forest products, pulp and paper, transportation, consumer products, and industrial equipment manufacturing.
McCain Foods
McCain Foods is a global food company headquartered in Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick.
Founded in 1957 by the McCain brothers, the company specializes in frozen food products, particularly frozen potatoes and potato-based appetizers.
McCain Foods operates production facilities and farms worldwide, selling its products in over 160 countries. In addition to frozen potatoes, they offer a diverse range of frozen snacks, vegetables, pizzas, and desserts.
Possible Job Opportunities
Some job opportunities from the 6 employers above include:
- Nurse Aides
- Orderlies
- Patience Services Associates
- Retail Salesperson
- Home Support Workers
- Cooks
- Transport Truck Drivers
- Fruit Pickers
- Bakers
- Harvesting Laborers
- Fish and Seafood Plant Workers
FAQs
Can I include my family in the application?
Yes, the New Brunswick Critical Worker Program allows you to include your spouse or common-law partner, as well as dependent children under the age of 22, in your application. They can be included as accompanying dependents, and they may also have the opportunity to work or study in Canada.
What are the benefits of the New Brunswick Critical Worker Program?
The program offers several benefits, including the opportunity to obtain permanent residency in Canada for you and your family. This provides access to various social benefits, healthcare services, and educational opportunities. It also allows you to work and live in New Brunswick, a province known for its high quality of life, economic opportunities, and vibrant communities.
Conclusion
In this article, we have covered a great deal on how to move to Canada with your family using the New Brunswick Critical Worker Program.
The New Brunswick Program has made it super easy by indicating that your family members are dependent accompanists, however, certain information may be required about each of them, relax, it’s nothing serious. You know how this works already.
Do not fail to visit the New Brunswick Critical Pilot Program site for more details or updates. Good luck.
