Free new-resident guide — NB
Moving to New Brunswick (2026)
What you need to do when you move to New Brunswick from another province — driver's licence, health card, vehicle re-registration, and address updates, with New Brunswick-specific deadlines.
Keep your old health coverage
Keep your old provincial health coverage active until your new coverage starts -- do not cancel it early.
Update address & notify agencies
Update your address with Canada Post (mail forwarding), CRA, Service Canada, Elections Canada, your bank, employer, and provincial agencies including your health card and driver's licence address.
Driver's licence
Exchange deadline: as soon as you take up residence
New Brunswick requires you to exchange your out-of-province licence as soon as you take up residence -- there is no stated day-count grace period on the official government page. Visit a ServiceNB centre promptly after arriving.
Testing is typically waived when exchanging a same-class Canadian licence.
Official source → https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/services/services_renderer.201491.htmlHealth card — NB Medicare
Plan
NB Medicare
When to apply
after establishing residence
How to apply
Online Medicare application after you establish residence
Waiting period / coverage start
Coverage begins on the first day of the 3rd month after you establish residence (e.g. arrive Jul 20 -- coverage starts Oct 1).
Vehicle re-registration
Re-register your out-of-province vehicle in New Brunswick. The deadline and whether a safety inspection is required varies by province.
New Brunswick vehicle re-registration guide →Federal tasks
- •CRA: update your mailing address via My Account at canada.ca or by calling 1-800-959-8281. Direct deposit details stay the same.
- •Elections Canada: update your voter registration at elections.ca or at your nearest Elections Canada office.
Local setup
Utilities, waste/recycling, transit passes, and school registration are set by your municipality — rules and providers vary by city. Check your city or municipal website for local services. (Per-city details are outside the scope of this guide.)
Replace or obtain documents
If you need a replacement birth certificate, SIN confirmation letter, or passport, see the replace-documents guide for New Brunswick-specific steps and agencies.
New Brunswick replace-documents guide →Official sources
Last updated: June 2026
Download your free New Brunswick new-resident checklist
Printable PDF covering all 7 steps with New Brunswick-specific deadlines.
Free. General information only -- not legal or regulatory advice.
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