The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NL PNP) nominates individuals to the federal government wishing to obtain Canadian permanent residence. The NL PNP has six streams:

1. NL PNP Express Entry Skilled Worker

The Express Entry Skilled Worker Category is a path to permanent residence for skilled individuals who have been accepted into the federal Express Entry pool and who have a job offer in Newfoundland and Labrador. Applicants must intend to reside permanently in this province.

For an in-depth explanation of the Express Entry Skilled Worker category, please download the Express Entry Skilled Worker Application Guide (534 KB).

Eligibility Requirements:

In order to be eligible for the Express Entry Skilled Worker Category, applicants must meet the following screening criteria:

  1. Applicants must be accepted into Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry pool. To confirm registration in the Express Entry pool, applicants are required to provide their Express Entry Profile Number (E plus nine digits). Applicants must also obtain a job seeker validation code (four digits) from IRCC.
  2. Applicants must have a high-skilled job or job offer from an NL employer based on the National Occupational Code (NOC)  classification system. The skill level (high or low) can be determined by searching for the job title on this page. The job or job offer should be for at least two years with the possibility of extension, from an eligible Newfoundland and Labrador employer. Pay should be in the form of a salary and benefits package that meets provincial employment standards and prevailing wage rates. Contractual or locum positions (short-term positions usually less than twelve (12) months in duration with little or no possibility of extension) are not eligible for the NL PNP.

Individuals who do not currently meet each of the above criteria are not eligible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker category. However, they may be eligible to apply under the NL PNP Skilled Worker category or the NLPNP International Graduate category – both described later below.

In addition, Express Entry Skilled Worker applicants must:

  • Score a minimum of 67 points out of 100 on the PNP point assessment grid (See Annex A (94 KB) of the Express Entry Skilled Worker Application Guide (534 KB));
  • 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.
  • Demonstrate the intention and ability to settle permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador;
  • Have sufficient settlement funds or financial resources to successfully establish themselves and any dependents in Newfoundland and Labrador;
  • Be able to provide language test results from a designated testing agency that match the language level declared in the Express Entry profile; and,
  • 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.

See more detail and additional requirements and how to apply.

2. NL PNP Skilled Worker

This category is for international workers and prospective immigrants who have skills that are beneficial to the labour market. Eligible applicants are required to have a guaranteed offer of employment from a local employer or be currently working in the province on a valid work permit. Employers must also demonstrate a need for the applicant’s skill set.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • A full-time job or job offer. The job or job offer should be for at least two years with the possibility of extension, from an eligible Newfoundland and Labrador employer. Pay should be in the form of a salary and benefits package that meets provincial employment standards and prevailing wage rates. Contractual or locum positions (short-term positions usually less than twelve (12) months in duration with little or no possibility of extension) are not eligible for the NLPNP.
  • Qualifications, training, skills, and/or accreditation required for the job;
  • Be 21 to 59 years old
  • An Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Work Permit with at least 4 months remaining at the time of application, or are entitled to apply for one;
  • The intention and ability to settle permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador;
  • Sufficient settlement funds and financial resources to successfully establish yourself and any dependents in Newfoundland and Labrador;
  • English or French language capability to perform the employment duties. PLEASE NOTE: Occupations classified in NOC Code C or D will have to meet Minimum Language Requirements;
  • Refugee claimants with a pending application to remain in Canada are eligible to apply to the NL Provincial Nominee Program, provided that they have Canadian work experience obtained legally in order to qualify.

3. NL PNP International Graduate

This category is for recent graduates who have a Post-Graduate Work Permit and a job or job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer.

NEW: If you hold a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), you may be eligible for the federal Express Entry Skilled Worker Category, if you are accepted into Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Express Entry pool. You should also obtain a valid Express Entry key code and job seeker validation code to accompany your application.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Completed at least half of your studies in Canada.
  • Graduated from an eligible publicly-funded Canadian college or university (students must send proof of graduation with their application);
  • Completed a minimum of a two-year diploma or degree program, while studying on a full-time basis. One-year post-graduate degree programs and certificate programs which require a previous degree or diploma (which may have been obtained abroad), are also eligible.
  • A full-time job or job offer. The job or job offer should be for at least two years with the possibility of extension, from an eligible Newfoundland and Labrador employer. Pay should be in the form of a salary and benefits package that meets provincial employment standards and prevailing wage rates. Contractual or locum positions (short-term positions usually less than twelve (12) months in duration with little or no possibility of extension) are not eligible for the NLPNP.
  • Be 21 to 59 years old
  • Qualifications, training, skills, and/or accreditation required for the job;
  • Have an Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Post-Graduate Work Permit. Work permits that are submitted with the PNP application must have a duration of six months remaining prior to the expiry date.
  • The intention and ability to settle permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador;
  • Sufficient settlement funds and financial resources to successfully establish yourself and any dependents in Newfoundland and Labrador;
  • Sufficient English or French language capability to perform the employment duties. If you are nominated in an occupation classified in NOC C or D you will have to meet Minimum Language Requirements. Note that NOC D positions are not normally considered under the International Graduate category.
  • If you completed your studies at a recognized post-secondary institute outside of Newfoundland and Labrador, your job or job offer must be related to your field of study. You also may be required to work for a minimum of 1 year prior to submission of your PNP application.

See more detail and additional requirements.

4. NL PNP International Entrepreneurs

For prospective entrepreneurs who want to reside permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador:

The International Entrepreneur category is intended for experienced business owners or senior business managers who wish to permanently reside in Newfoundland and Labrador.  They must start a new business or buy an existing business and must actively participate in the day-to-day management of the business.  After operating the business for at least one continuous year, the international entrepreneur may be nominated for permanent resident status, subject to fulfillment of certain criteria outlined by the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism.

To determine if you are eligible read the following guide and see the summary of eligibility requirements.

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can submit an Expression of Interest. Successful expressions of interest will be followed with invitations to complete a formal application to the International Entrepreneur category.

5. NL PNP International Graduate Entrepreneur

For graduates of Memorial University or College of the North Atlantic:

The International Graduate Entrepreneur category is intended for graduates of Memorial University or College of the North Atlantic who has already started or bought a local business and maintained day-to-day operations for at least one continuous year. In order to receive a nomination for permanent resident status, the graduate entrepreneur must fulfill certain criteria outlined by the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, an individual must

  • Be at least 21 years old;
  • Provide a business continuity plan with supporting financial documentation verified by a recognized third-party professional service (applicants are solely responsible for payment of associated fees related to obtaining these documents);
  • Have completed a degree or diploma after at least two academic years of full-time, in-person study at Memorial University or College of the North Atlantic with the degree or diploma having been completed within two years of submission of the Expression of Interest;
  • Have a valid post-graduate work permit;
  • Want to live permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador while owning and actively managing a local business that has the potential to create significant economic benefit to Newfoundland and Labrador;
  • Have at least one year’s continuous experience actively managing and owning the current business (33.3 percent minimum ownership);
  • Demonstrate ability to create at least one full-time equivalent job for the local population (permanent residents and Canadian citizens);
  • Demonstrate that the business is a for-profit entity with the primary purpose of earning profits through the sale of goods and/or services;
  • Have a score of at least 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English or French;
  • Complete an online Expression of Interest; and
  • Receive an Invitation to Apply from the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism.

To determine if you are eligible, read the following guide and the summary of eligibility requirements.

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can Begin an Expression of Interest (EOI). Successful expressions of interest will be followed with invitations to complete a formal application to the International Graduate Entrepreneur category. After submitting your EOI, if you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), complete the application form and include all supporting documents.

Applicants intending to support regional economic development or focus on high-demand industries or sectors (e.g. Agriculture, Aquaculture, Technology, Natural Resources) will receive priority consideration.

6. Atlantic Immigration Pilot

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot is a joint federal-provincial program targeting skilled workers and international students. It is an employer-driven immigration program.

The AIP was initially launched in 2017 as a three-year pilot but has been extended by two years to December 2021. This gives IRCC and the Atlantic Provinces more time to assess the innovative aspects of this pilot: its employer-driven focus, mandatory settlement plan, and a new model of partnership with the Atlantic provinces and ACOA.

Newfoundland and Labrador are working closely with the other Atlantic Provinces and the Federal Government to ensure the successful development and delivery of the AIP. The Pilot will facilitate the entry of up to 442 applications allocated to Newfoundland and Labrador.

To participate, employers must meet certain requirements, including a commitment to support the newcomer and their family as they integrate into their new life in Atlantic Canada. Employers can bring workers through AIP’s High Skilled, Intermediate Skilled, and International Graduate categories.

See AIP Overview.

The Federal Express Entry System

Candidates who have created a profile in the federal Express Entry system AND have also applied for and received a nomination from NL PNP, are awarded an additional 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score at the federal level, on top of the points that they have in the federal Express Entry pool. The additional 600 CRS points virtually guarantee that the candidate will also receive an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence under the federal Express Entry system.

The Canadian federal government and the provincial and territorial governments regularly draw candidates from the federal Express Entry pool to issue Invitations to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence, based on the particular needs and shortages in the country or provinces.

In order to enter the federal Express Entry pool, candidates must first create an Express Entry profile. You must meet the eligibility requirements for one of the three federal government programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Class; the Federal Skilled Trades Class; and the Canadian Experience Class. A job offer is not required to enter or be selected from the Express Entry pool although additional CRS points are awarded to those who already have a job.

Based on the information you entered in your federal Express Entry profile you will be given a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and placed into a pool of candidates ranked by their CRS score. Your CRS is a numerical value, out of a possible 1,200, determined by your core human capital. This is essentially your age, work experience, educational background, ability to adapt and language skills.

A limited number of candidates with the highest CRS points in the pool are issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent residence through regular federal Express Entry draws which typically take place every two weeks. Nomination under a provincial program like NL PNP gives a candidate in the federal Express Entry pool an additional 600 points which effectively guarantees that they will be invited to apply for PR.

Optimize your chances of success!

What are your options for Canadian Immigration? You can consider any of the following pathways to Canadian Immigration:

Chugo Immigration Service is authorized to offer Canadian Immigration and Citizenship services under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The Principal Consultant, Pius Chukwuma Ekwulugo RCIC, is a member in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) and has helped many foreigners to start a new life in Canada. We will help you too!

For effective and diligent legal help regarding Canadian Immigration matters, we partner with Weekes Law Office.

WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

Are you looking for an immigration pathway to Canada? If you do not know where to look and how to start, we invite you to book an eligibility consultation with us. We will prepare an individualized assessment report for you and guide you on your immigration journey to Canada.

We advise you to complete the assessment questionnaire now in order to properly plan your application.