Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)

The easternmost province of Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador, is a combination of mainland region of Labrador and the island of Newfoundland. St. John’s, the provincial capital has a lively culture that draws heavily from its coastal environment. The boom in energy and rich natural resources has recently brought an economic boom to the province.

The NLPNP is Newfoundland and Labrador’s Provincial Nominee Program. The NLPNP accepts applications under the following immigration categories:

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

Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker

Prospective immigrants who have been accepted into the federal Express Entry pool may be able to apply to the NL Express Entry Skilled Worker category. Nominated Individuals will receive additional points under the Comprehensive Ranking system, resulting in an Invitation to Apply for Canadian permanent residence. The eligibility criteria for the Express Entry Skilled Worker Category is given below:

• Must provide their Express Entry Profile Number to prove their registration in the Express Entry pool
• Must obtain a 4-digit job seeker validation code from IRCC.
• Applicants must have a job or job offer from an employer in Newfoundland and Labrador. The job must be in NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B occupation list in the National Occupational Code (NOC) classification system.
• The job or job offer should be for a minimum of 2 years from an eligible employer in Newfoundland and Labrador with the possibility of extension.
• Remuneration should be in the form of a salary and benefits package that meets the provincial employment standards and prevailing wage rates.

NOTE: Contractual or short-term positions usually less than 12 months in duration with little or no possibility of extension are not eligible.

In addition, Express Entry Skilled Worker applicants must:

• Score a minimum of 67 points out of 100 on the PNP point assessment grid
• Have an IRCC Work Permit with at least 4 months remaining at time of application, or be entitled to apply for one;
• Have a Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma, or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from an agency approved by IRCC to verify that their foreign education is equal to Canadian education standards. The ECA submitted with the application must match the education level declared in the Express Entry profile and the points claimed in the points grid
• Clearly specify intention and ability to settle permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Show proof of sufficient settlement funds or financial resources to successfully establish themselves and any dependents in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Provide language test results from a designated testing agency that match the language level declared in the Express Entry profile
• Refugee claimants with a pending application to remain in Canada are eligible to apply to the NL Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program, provided that they have Canadian work experience obtained legally in order to qualify
• If one has the work experience in an occupation that is regulated in Newfoundland and Labrador and requires mandatory certification or licensing in the province, a proof of eligibility for provincial licensure or certification to be able to work in that profession must be submitted with the PNP applicationk

Skilled Worker Category

The NLPNP accepts applications under this category from individuals who have received a guaranteed job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer. Individuals who are currently working in the province on a valid work permit may also be eligible.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Aged between 21-59 years
• A full-time job or job offer. The job or job offer should be for a minimum of 2 years with the possibility of extension, from an eligible employer in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Training, qualifications, skills, and accreditation required for the job
• An IRCC Work Permit with minimum 4 months remaining at the time of application, or entitled to apply for one
• Remuneration is required to be in the form of a salary and benefits package that meets provincial employment standards and prevailing wage rates. Contractual or short-term positions that usually have less than 12 months in duration with little or no possibility of extension are not eligible for NLPNP.
• Intention and ability to settle permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador province
• Adequate financial resources and settlement funds to successfully establish self and any dependents in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Language capability in English or French language to perform job duties. Occupations classified in NOC Code C or D will be required to meet the minimum language requirements
• Refugee claimants with a pending application to remain in Canada are eligible to apply provided that they have Canadian work experience obtained legally in order to qualify
• If an applicant has an ownership stake in a business in which they are employed, then the applicant’s share of ownership must not exceed 10%.

International Graduate Category

The NLPNP accepts applications under this category from recent graduates of an eligible Canadian post-secondary institution who remain in Canada on a Post-Graduate Work Permit. Applicants must also have either a current job or job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer, and must be working in their field of study at the time of application.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Completed the minimum of half of their studies in Canada
• Having completed graduation from an eligible publicly-funded Canadian university or college.
• Completed a minimum of a 2-year diploma or degree program while studying full-time. 1-year post-graduate degree programs and certificate programs which require a previous diploma or degree (may have been obtained outside Canada) are also eligible
• A full-time job offer or job. The job offer or job must be for a minimum of 2 years with the possibility of extension, from an eligible employer in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Remuneration should be in the form of a salary and benefits package that meets the provincial employment standards and prevailing wage rates. Contractual or short-term positions usually less than 12 months in duration with little or no possibility of the extension are not eligible.
• Aged between 21-59 years
• Training, qualifications, skills and accreditation required for the job
• An IRCC Post-Graduate Work Permit. Work permits submitted with the PNP application must have a minimum of 6 months duration remaining prior to the expiry date.
• Intention and ability to settle permanently in the Newfoundland and Labrador province
• Adequate settlement funds and financial resources to successfully establish self and any dependents in the province
• Adequate language skills in English or French to perform job duties. If nominated in an occupation classified in NOC C or D, the applicant will have to meet the minimum language requirements. NOC D positions aren’t usually considered under the International Graduate category.
• If studies are completed at a recognized post-secondary institute outside Newfoundland and Labrador, the job offer or job must be related to the field of study. The applicant may also be required to work for a minimum of a year prior to submission of PNP application
• If an applicant has an ownership stake in a business in which they are employed, their share of ownership cannot be more than 10%.

International Entrepreneur Category

This NLNP business immigration category will soon open to foreign nationals who would like to settle in Newfoundland and Labrador setup, co-manage or buy a business in the province. Candidates must operate their business for a year while on a Temporary Work Permit before pursuing a provincial nomination from the province.

International Graduate Entrepreneur Category

This NLNP International Graduate Entrepreneur will provide international graduates who have attended Newfoundland and Labrador post-secondary institutions and who wish to establish, co-own or run a business in the province with a pathway to Canadian permanent residence.

Atlantic Immigration Pilot

Newfoundland and Labrador is one of four Atlantic provinces working in partnership with the Canadian government to hire foreign workers to fill jobs in Atlantic Canada that have not been filled locally. Foreign nationals interested in participating in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot may be residing abroad or on temporary status in Canada at the time of applying.

For more information and expert guidance on the different streams, contact us today.