Newfoundland and Labrador Immigration News
May 1, 2025
NLPNP Draws: January 2025 to April 2025
Unlike some provinces, such as Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador does not publicly release a detailed schedule of its Provincial Nominee Program draws in advance.
Key Developments in NLPNP Draws
Transition to Expression of Interest (EOI) System: Effective February 19, 2025, the NLPNP shifted from a first-come, first-served application process to an online EOI system for both the Provincial Nominee Program and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). Candidates must now submit an EOI outlining their qualifications, work experience, and intent to settle in NL. The province reviews EOIs and invites selected candidates to apply for nomination.
First Invitations Issued via EOI System: In February 2025, Newfoundland and Labrador issued its first invitations through the new EOI system, marking a significant milestone.
Temporary Pause on New Applications: In January 2025, the NLPNP announced a temporary pause on new application submissions for nominations and job vacancy assessments, lasting until mid-February 2025. During this period, applications for healthcare professionals and other in-demand occupations were processed on a case-by-case basis, suggesting that limited, targeted invitations may have been issued for priority sectors.
No Specific Draw Data: Unlike PEI, which reported precise invitation numbers (e.g., 401 ITAs from January to April 2025), NLPNP draw details for this period are not publicly disclosed in available sources.
Estimated Activity: Given the pause until mid-February and the EOI system’s launch, it’s likely that one to two draws occurred between late February and April 2025, prioritizing candidates in critical sectors.
NLPNP Policy: Structure and Eligibility
The NLPNP, operational since 1999, is designed to attract immigrants who can contribute to the province’s economy and settle permanently. It operates under five main streams, divided into enhanced (aligned with federal Express Entry) and base (independent of Express Entry) categories. Below is a detailed overview of the NLPNP’s policies and eligibility requirements, based on information from 2025 sources.
1. Express Entry Skilled Worker Category (Enhanced)
Overview: Targets skilled workers in the federal Express Entry pool with a job offer in NL. A provincial nomination adds 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
Eligibility:
Active Express Entry profile under one of the federal programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), or Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Full-time job offer from an NL employer for at least 2 years (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations), meeting provincial wage standards and not conflicting with labor agreements.
Valid work permit with at least 4 months remaining (if in Canada) or eligibility to apply for one.
Canadian post-secondary degree/diploma or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign credentials.
Language proficiency matching the Express Entry profile (e.g., IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada).
Minimum 67 points on the NLPNP point assessment grid (based on education, work experience, language, age, and NL connections).
Sufficient settlement funds and intent to settle permanently in NL.
Process: Candidates submit an EOI, and selected candidates receive an ITA to apply for nomination. Processing typically takes 6 months for enhanced streams.
Significance: This stream is ideal for Express Entry candidates seeking faster processing and a guaranteed path to permanent residency.
2. Skilled Worker Category (Base)
Overview: Targets workers with job offers in NL across all NOC skill levels (TEER 0–5), addressing specific employer needs.
Eligibility:
Full-time job offer from an NL employer for at least 1 year (with reasonable expectation of extension), meeting regional prevailing wage rates.
Qualifications, training, skills, and/or accreditation required for the job (per NOC code).
Valid work permit with at least 4 months remaining (if in Canada) or eligibility to apply.
Language proficiency (English/French) sufficient for the job.
Sufficient settlement funds and intent to settle permanently in NL.
Employers must demonstrate the need for the skill set (unless the occupation is on the in-demand list, exempt from labor market tests).
Process: Candidates submit an EOI, and invited candidates apply for nomination. Processing takes approximately 12–18 months.
Significance: This stream is flexible, accommodating both high-skilled and lower-skilled workers, particularly in sectors like healthcare and construction.
3. International Graduate Category (Base)
Overview: Designed for recent graduates from Canadian post-secondary institutions with job offers in NL.
Eligibility:
Graduated from a recognized Canadian college/university (e.g., Memorial University, College of the North Atlantic) with a 2-year diploma/degree or 1-year postgraduate program.
Valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Full-time job offer from an NL employer for at least 2 years, related to the field of study.
At least 1 year of work experience in the field (if education was completed outside NL).
Language proficiency and sufficient settlement funds.
Intent to settle permanently in NL.
Process: Similar to the Skilled Worker stream, with EOI submission and processing times of 12–18 months. No application fee for this stream.
Significance: This stream supports NL’s goal of retaining international students educated in the province.
4. International Entrepreneur Category (Base)
Overview: Targets experienced entrepreneurs who wish to start or buy a business in NL.
Eligibility:
Minimum $600,000 in unencumbered personal assets and $200,000 investment in the business (owning at least 33.3%).
At least 2 years of business ownership (25% stake) or 5 years in a senior management role within the past 5–10 years.
Language proficiency (minimum CLB 5 in all categories).
Business must be for-profit, create at least 1 full-time job for a Canadian citizen/PR, and be actively managed by the applicant for at least 1 year on a temporary work permit.
Intent to reside permanently in NL.
Process: Candidates submit an EOI, and the highest-scoring candidates are invited to apply. Processing takes 12–18 months.
Significance: This stream supports economic diversification but sees limited activity compared to worker streams.
5. International Graduate Entrepreneur Category (Base)
Overview: For international graduates from NL institutions who have started or bought a business in the province.
Eligibility:
Graduated from Memorial University or College of the North Atlantic with a 2-year diploma/degree.
Operated a business in NL for at least 1 continuous year with active management.
Language proficiency (CLB 5) and sufficient settlement funds.
Intent to reside permanently in NL.
Process: EOI-based, with processing times of 12–18 months.
Significance: Encourages entrepreneurial graduates to contribute to NL’s economy.
Expression of Interest (EOI) System (Introduced February 2025)
Process: Candidates submit an online EOI detailing qualifications, work experience, language proficiency, and intent to settle in NL. The province reviews EOIs and invites candidates based on labor market needs and economic priorities.
Scoring: EOIs are assessed using a points-based system (e.g., the Provincial Nominee Rating Grid for Express Entry Skilled Worker), prioritizing factors like education, work experience, and NL connections.
Impact: The EOI system allows NL to strategically allocate its limited nomination spaces, focusing on in-demand sectors like healthcare, education, and construction. Processing times may increase to 3 months or more for some applications due to the new system.
Application Fees
Express Entry and Skilled Worker Streams: $250 application fee.
International Graduate Stream: No fee.
Entrepreneur Streams: Fees vary; a $100,000 refundable deposit may be required for the International Entrepreneur stream.
Additional federal fees for permanent residency applications apply (e.g., $825 processing fee, $500 right of permanent residence fee per adult).
Processing Times
Enhanced Stream (Express Entry): Approximately 6 months for provincial nomination, followed by federal processing.
Base Streams: 12–18 months for provincial nomination, with federal processing adding further time.
Service Standards: The NLPNP’s 25-day service standard was suspended during the January–February 2025 pause, and processing times may be longer due to the EOI system’s implementation.
Policy Priorities
Labor Market Alignment: The NLPNP prioritizes sectors with critical shortages, such as healthcare, early childhood education, and construction, as evidenced by case-by-case processing during the application pause.
Strategic Immigration: The EOI system ensures nominations are allocated to candidates who best meet NL’s economic needs, moving away from first-come, first-served processing.
Employer Engagement: Employers must demonstrate labor market needs (unless hiring for in-demand occupations exempt from labor market tests), ensuring nominations address genuine shortages.
Retention: The program emphasizes candidates’ intent to settle permanently in NL, supported by requirements for settlement funds and local job offers.
Immigration Levels and NL’s Role
Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan (2025–2027)
Canada’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan targets 395,000 permanent residents in 2025, down from 485,000 in 2024, due to concerns about housing and affordability.
The PNP allocation was reduced from 110,000 in 2024 to 55,000 in 2025, impacting all provinces and territories.
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), which NL participates in, remains a key pathway, with NL maintaining 475 spaces in 2025.
NL’s Nomination Allocation
2024 Context: NL had 2,100 PNP nominations in 2024, but the initial 2025 allocation was slashed to 1,050 (a 50% reduction).
2025 Increase: Through successful negotiations with the federal government, NL secured an additional 1,000 nominations, bringing the 2025 PNP allocation to 2,050 (a 2.3% reduction from 2024). Combined with 475 AIP spaces, NL’s total nomination capacity is 2,525.
Historical Trends: In 2023, NL welcomed 5,485 permanent residents (up from 3,495 in 2022), including over 800 Ukrainians displaced by the Russian invasion. This marked 14 consecutive quarters of population growth.
2025 Outlook: With 2,525 nomination spaces, NL aims to continue this growth, focusing on filling labor gaps in priority sectors. The province’s immigration capacity was nearly full in 2024 due to unprecedented demand, suggesting strong interest in 2025.
Impact of EOI System: The new EOI system allows NL to strategically use its nomination quota, ensuring candidates align with economic needs. However, processing delays (e.g., 3+ months for some applications) may slow the pace of nominations compared to 2024.
Tips for Applicants
Optimize EOI Submission: Highlight in-demand skills (e.g., healthcare, education, construction), work experience, and intent to settle in NL to maximize your EOI score.
Secure a Job Offer: Work with NL employers, particularly in priority sectors, to obtain a qualifying job offer. Check the in-demand occupations list for exemptions from labor market tests.
Leverage Express Entry: If eligible, create an Express Entry profile to access the enhanced stream and benefit from faster processing.
Monitor Updates: Regularly check the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism website for EOI guidelines and nomination updates.
JANUARY 10, 2025
Positions exempt from labour market testing
The following list of in-demand occupations are exempt from provincial labour market testing processes, such as the Job Vacancy Assessment and Atlantic Immigration Program labour market testing requirements, such as advertising, and will receive priority processing in the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism.
January 27, 2023 - Jobs in Demand
Priority and in-demand sectors in the province include:
Health Care
Technology
Aquaculture
Agriculture
Hospitality
December 20, 2022 - Frequently Asked Questions
Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Immigration Programs-Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), click this link to get an answer to your question.
January 5, 2022 - Newfoundland and Labrador Immigration Program
The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) nominates applicants who meet the requirement for Permanent Resident Status. The NLPNP offers:
An efficient immigration process for qualified skilled workers, international graduates and their families who wish to settle permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador; and
Assistance from provincial Immigration Program Development Officers who are available to explain the program requirements, and guide applicants throughout the application process.
Newfoundland and Labrador may nominate up to 1,050 individuals annually through the NLPNP, through the Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and Express Entry-Skilled Worker categories.
November 21, 2021 - First Draw
The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) invited 663 candidates to apply for a provincial nomination to date. Priority Skills Newfoundland and Labrador is the PNP for educated, skilled candidates who have expertise in technology and ocean sciences.
September 29, 2021 - Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Priority Skills
April 11 - Newfoundland and Labrador PNP Update
Online Applications- If you use the online application process, you will receive regular dashboard updates, as your application moves through the assessment process.
Refer to the instructions and application document checklist links below about your eligibility and how to apply to the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program.
Applicants must meet certain criteria such as having a job or job offer, the ability to economically establish and the intent to reside in the province, in order to be nominated for permanent residency. This program provides applicants with a dedicated immigration officer who will remain available to explain the program requirements and processes until nominees receive their permanent residence status.
Priority Skills NL Overview
The Priority Skills NL process is intended for individuals who have work experience in occupations in demand in Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as have a high level of education and language ability, and who wish to express their interest in either staying in, or coming to the province and becoming a permanent resident of Canada.
Currently, Expressions of Interest (EOI) are being accepted from:
Individuals who have worked in a specialized, highly skilled, in-demand occupation for at least one full year in the last 10 years. A list of in-demand occupations can be found in Appendix A, and the most up-to-date listing can be found here.
Individuals who have completed PhD or Master’s degrees from Memorial University within the past three years in the following specialties: Technology, Health Care, Aquaculture, and Agriculture.
Priority Skills NL requires the completion of a questionnaire, which is scored. Applicants who exceed the minimum score of 60 points will be accepted and their information will be viewable by staff and local employers who have accounts with the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism.
Candidates who have submitted EOIs with the highest scores, and who have received the most interest from local employers, may receive invitations through Priority Skills NL, to submit an application to the Provincial Nominee Program without a job offer.
Eligibility Criteria
All candidates must:
have taken an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) language test within the last twelve months and scored equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 or higher;
be at least 21 years of age; and
intend to live permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador
In-demand Academic candidates:
must have completed PhD or Master’s degrees from Memorial University within the past three years in the following specialties: Technology, Health Care, Aquaculture, and Agriculture.
In-demand Work candidates:
must have worked in a specialized, highly skilled, in-demand occupation for at least one full year in the last 10 years. A list of in-demand occupations can be found here.
Application Guide and Questionnaire
If you are interested in starting a Priority Skills NL Expression of Interest, please consider reviewing our application guide, or click the button below to begin the questionnaire.
December 30 - Newfoundland and Labrador will launch new immigration program for skilled workers
Newfoundland and Labrador is slated to accept applications for a new program on January 2, 2021.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) will provide more information on the province’s website when the stream opens.
The NLPNP will accepts applications in the following immigration streams:
Newfoundland & Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker
Skilled Worker Category
International Graduate Category
International Entrepreneur Category
International Graduate Entrepreneur Category
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP)
Read more about the AIPP employer designation in Newfoundland and Labrador here
September 17 - Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program - International Entrepreneur Expression of Interest
Starting in September the province will have a monthly draw each month for its International Entrepreneur category.
The Expression of Interest (EOI) will open on the following dates:
· September 13 to 20
· October 11 to 18
· November 8 to 15
· December 6 to 13
In order to be suitable for immigration in this category potential candidates need to create, co-manage, or purchase a business in the province and prove that they are committed to live permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador, and must be actively involved the in the daily operation of the business.
