Newfoundland & Labrador is the easternmost province in Canada. Here’s a guide to the Newfoundland & Labrador Provincial Nominee Program.

The province comprises of two distinct land masses, i.e., Labrador & Newfoundland. Moreover, the Newfoundland & Labrador Provincial Nominee Program enables potential immigrants with the skills & relevant work experience to obtain the provincial nomination. 

An Overview Of Newfoundland & Labrador Provincial Nominee Program

The Newfoundland & Labrador Provincial Nominee Program has been in operation since the year 1999. It was one of the first PNPs to launch. Like with other PNPs, this program looks to attract more newcomers/ immigrants to the province to address economic & labor market needs. 

In addition, the NLPNP attracts skilled workers, entrepreneurs, & international graduates who have the skills, experience, & education to succeed in the Atlantic province. Via PNP & AIP, the province is welcoming an increasing number of immigrants. 

Moreover, the AIP is a fast-track immigration program which allows employers in the Atlantic province to hire foreign nationals. The Atlantic provinces are New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, & Newfoundland & Labrador. 

The province welcomes around 1200 new immigrants every year & is seeking to welcome 1700 new immigrants every year. Furthermore, the NLPNP has an enhanced category, the NL Express Entry Skilled Worker category. The remaining categories are base categories. 

An enhanced category is one which is aligned with the federal Express Entry system. On the contrary, a base category is one that isn’t aligned with the Express Entry system. 

Express Entry is the system that IRCC uses to manage the main economic class immigration programs. Those who have an Express Entry profile are granted a score based on CRS. 

During regular Express Entry draws, Canada invites the highest-ranking applicants to apply for PR. Moreover, if you are nominated via the provincial program, like the NL Express Entry Skilled Worker category, you are given an additional 600 points. 

This implies that you will get an ITA for PR in the subsequent draw. You will also get your nomination via the Express Entry profile, that you have to accept before you gain additional points. 

The benefit of enhanced streams is that processing is rapid. It might take just six months for you to get your Canadian permanent residence. Moreover, base streams make up the most immigration streams under PNPs. These streams do not align with the Express Entry system. In case you get a provincial nomination via a base stream, you’ll need to directly apply to IRCC. Unlike enhanced streams, base streams tend to have a processing standard of 12 months or more.

Newfoundland & Labrador Immigration Streams 

If you want to immigrate to Newfoundland & Labrador, then you have to choose from the following: 

• Newfoundland & Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker 
• International Graduate Category
• Skilled Worker Category
• International Entrepreneur Category 
• International Graduate Entrepreneur Category 

Newfoundland & Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker 

Requires a job offer? Yes

Application Fee: CAD 250

Processing Time: 25 business days 

Minimum Requirements: 

• Must have an Express Entry profile
• Must have a full-time job offer from a Newfoundland & Labrador employer 
• Should have a valid work permit 
• Should have a post-secondary degree/ diploma 
• Should meet the minimum level of work experience 
• Must be eligible for provincial licensure/ certification 
• Must shop genuine intention to settle in the province
• Must meet the minimum language requirement
• Must score a minimum of 67 out of 100 points on the PNP points assessment grid
• Must have sufficient money to establish yourself & family in the province 
• Lastly, the employer must meet specific requirements

How It Works

If you meet the minimum requirements outlined above, the next step is to apply online on the province’s webpage. Ensure that your passport & work permit are valid. Before submitting your application, double-check your application as well as your document checklist. 

When you complete your online application, you might be required to participate in an interview with an immigration officer from the province. If you are successful, you will obtain a provincial nomination in the Express Entry system, which you must accept. 

In addition, if you are successful, you will obtain an extra 600 points in the CRS. This effectively guarantees that you will obtain an invitation to apply for PR in the forthcoming Express Entry draw. 

Skilled Worker Category 

Need a job offer? Yes 

Application Fee: CAD 250 

Processing Time: 25 business days 

Minimum Requirements 

• Should have a full-time job/ job offer from an eligible Newfoundland & Labrador employer for a minimum of two years 
• Should have necessary qualifications, training, skills, & accreditation for the job 
• Must have a valid work permit with at least four months left
• Must have relevant experience of the job
• Must have sufficient money to settle in the province
• Lastly, it must meet minimum language requirements

How It Works 

First, you have to ensure your eligibility. Then, you need to complete your application on the province’s webpage. 

Once you submit your application, it will be assigned to an immigration officer, who will review the application & will make a recommendation to the delegated authority. 

The delegated authority will further review the officer’s assessment & make a final decision. Within around 25 business days after submitting the application, you will be notified if your application is approved or denied. 

If your application is approved, you can use your provincial nomination to apply for PR directly with IRCC. 

International Graduate Category 

Need a job offer? Yes

Application Fee: No Fee

Processing Time: 25 business days 

Minimum Requirements 

• Must have completed half of your studies in Canada & graduated from an eligible university/ college
• Must have completed a two-year diploma/ degree (full-time)
• Must have full-time job offer from an eligible employer in the province 
• Should hold a PGWP from IRCC 
• Should have qualifications, training, skills, & accreditation required for the job 
• Should have sufficient money to settle in the province 
• Should meet the minimum language requirements 

How It Works 

First, ensure that you are eligible to meet the minimum requirements outlined above. Once you are satisfied that you are eligible, the next step is to gather the necessary documents & complete your online application. 

After 25 business days, you will find out if your application is approved or denied. If your application is approved, you will be able to use your provincial nomination to apply for permanent residence with Canada’s federal immigration department. 

International Entrepreneur Category 

Application Fee: CAD 1,000

Processing Time: Depends upon the time required for document verification 

Minimum Requirements: 

Applicants: 

• Must be between 21 & 59 years of age
• Should meet English/ French language requirements 
• Should have CAD 600,000 in net business & personal assets
• Should score 72 out of 120 in the EOI assessment grid 
• Must be able to invest at least CAD 200,000 to establish a business with 33.3% ownership
• Should have a minimum of two years of experience actively managing/ owning a business in the last five years
• Must have a business plan with the necessary documentation
• Must have a minimum of high school diploma
• Should intend to live permanently in the province 
• Must create at least a full-time job for Canadian citizens/ permanent residents 
• Must show that business will be for-profit 
• Should conduct an exploratory visit to the province before beginning/ purchasing a business 

You might need to meet additional criteria for if you are buying/ beginning a business. Moreover, your business must need specific criteria. 

How It Works: 

The first step is to ensure that you are eligible for the category. Once you are satisfied that you are, you must complete an EOI online. Submitting an EOI doesn’t count as an application & doesn’t guarantee that you will become a permanent resident. It is a pre-application screening process. 

If you are successful, you will obtain an ITA from the province’s immigration office. At this point, you need to choose a Net Worth Verifier who is going to verify your net worth. 

You will further have to gather the necessary documents, like a Business Establishment Plan & submit your application. Moreover, you also need to submit your Net Worth Verification Report. 

If your application is approved, you will be able to use your provincial nomination to apply for permanent residence with Canada’s federal immigration department. 

International Graduate Entrepreneur Category 

Application Fee: CAD 250

Processing Time: Depends upon the time required for document verification 

Minimum Requirements: 

Applicants must be: 

• 21 years old
• Provide a business continuity plan with sufficient supporting financial documents 
• Graduated from Memorial University of College of North Atlantic in the last two years 
• Have a valid PGWP
• Meet the minimum language requirements in French/ English 
• Have at least one year of experience managing a business where they hold a minimum of 1/3rd ownership in the province 
• Create one full-time job for permanent residents/ Canadian citizens 
• Show that the business is for-profit 

You might need to meet additional criteria for if you are purchasing or starting a business. In addition, your business must require a specific criteria. 

How It Works 

The first step is to ensure that you are eligible for the category. Once you are satisfied that you are, you must complete an EOI online. Submitting an EOI isn’t the same as an application. It is a pre-application screening process & doesn’t guarantee that you will become a permanent resident. 

If you are successful, you will obtain an ITA from the province’s immigration office. You will further gather documents & submit your application. This includes a Review Engagement & Special Purpose Report. These must be provided by the verifier which is licensed to provide this service. You might choose the verifier. 

A Review Engagement consists of the review of financial statements. Moreover, the Special Purpose Report includes an opinion about the financial viability of the business, recommendations/ suggestions for the business to improve its viability, determination of any issues/ challenges regarding the financial statements, & business review.  

If your application is approved, you can use your provincial nomination to apply for PR with IRCC. 

Atlantic Immigration Pilot 

The AIP is a federal fast-track immigration program that enables employers in Atlantic provinces to recruit foreign nationals for jobs they aren’t able to fill locally. 

The Atlantic Provinces are: 

• Newfoundland & Labrador
• New Brunswick 
• Nova Scotia 
• Prince Edward Island 

Step 1: When an employer finds a sustainable applicant, they should first offer them a job. Employers aren’t required to get an LMIA. This makes the process faster. 

Step 2: When the applicant accepts the job, the employer will connect him/ her with a designated settlement service provider for needs assessment & to develop a settlement plan. 

Step 3: If the employer requires to fill the position quickly, the candidate will be eligible for a temporary work permit so that the applicant can come to Canada & start work as soon as he/ she can. 

Conclusion 

The Newfoundland & Labrador Provincial Nominee Program is an integral gateway for skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, & workers seeking opportunities in the Canadian province. 

The program reflects the region’s commitment to economic growth, community development, & diversity by attracting talents that align with its specific labor market needs. Moreover, the program addresses the unique requirements of the province. The program not only enhances the province’s workforce but also fosters social & cultural enrichment. 

Thus, the program continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the demographic & economic landscape of the province.