Newfoundland and Labrador is located on the eastern coast of Atlantic Canada. The province may not be everyone’s top destination but it is certainly a gem for those who appreciate the simpler, more pastoral life. However, do not write Newfoundland and Labrador off as merely greenlands and seaside villages, in recent years it has experienced a boom in business, arts and culture, attracting those who want to move away from the big city life but still enjoy the trendy subculture offered by cities.
The beautiful province of about 520,000 residents is divided into different sections; Labrador in the north and Newfoundland, an exquisite island 17 km off the coast of Labrador. The majority of the province’s population lives in the capital city, St John’s, where they enjoy excellent schools, top-notch healthcare facilities, fantastic restaurants, exceptional nightlife and an exciting arts scene.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nomination Program (Newfoundland and Labrador PNP) allows the province to nominate people who have the necessary skills and experience needed to address the labour and population shortage in the province. Applying to the program is really quite simple. First, you must determine which of the category is best suited to you. Following this, you must complete and submit all the necessary paperwork to the relevant authorities. If your application is successful, you will be issued an invitation to apply for Permanent Residence which will basically guarantee your emigration to the province.
Most people that want to move to Newfoundland and Labrador are particularly interested in immigrating to St John’s. Even if St John’s is not your ideal destination, through the Provincial Nomination Program you can easily migrate to any other city in the province.
Many small towns and villages in Newfoundland and Labrador are exceptional places to settle. These communities are safe, friendly and very welcoming to new immigrants. For example, several small communities in Newfoundland and Labrador were among the first in the entire country to agree to accept Syrian refugees.
There are several routes you can take to get a Provincial Nomination. Discover which of these programs is the right one for you below.
Express Entry Skilled Worker Category
Skilled Worker Category
International Graduate Category
International Graduate Entrepreneur Category
International Entrepreneur Category
Express Entry Skilled Worker Category
The Express Entry Skilled Worker Category is the fastest path to getting Canadian permanent residence for those who have the intention to live and work in Newfoundland and Labrador. Express Entry applications can be in as little as six months. Find out if you qualify for this speedy category.
To be Eligible For This Category, You Must:
Be accepted into the Express Entry pool of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC);
Score at least 67 points out of a possible 100 on the Provincial Nomination Program Assessment Grid
An offer of employment from an employer in Newfoundland and Labrador that meets the governmental standards for employment and wages;
Have a valid Work Permit or you must meet the requirements to apply for one;
Have a Canadian tertiary degree, diploma or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) verifying that your foreign credentials are equal to the education standards of Canada;
Have the intention to live and work in Newfoundland and Labrador;
Have enough money to settle you and your dependents in the province; and
Provide the relevant language test results that show you have the required language ability needed to fulfil your job’s duties
Several factors can also make you ineligible for the Express Entry Skilled Worker Category. Please take note of these disqualifications, to ensure your application stands the best chance at success.
You are Ineligible For This Category If You:
Are not accepted into the Express Entry pool;
Do not have a score of at least 67 on the Provincial Nomination Program Assessment Grid;
Are a refugee claimant;
Do not submit your documentation;
Do not have the real intention live and work in the province;
Any of your dependents over the age of 22 has a criminal record;
Have custody issue that have yet to be resolved;
Have misrepresented yourself on your application
Skilled Worker Category
If you have the specialized skills needed by employers in Newfoundland and Labrador, this category is for you. Employers can nominate skilled workers under this category if that person can critically impact the operations of the employer’s business.
To be Eligible For This Category, You Must:
Have a permanent job offer from an employer in Newfoundland and Labrador; or
Have a job offer that meets the wage and employment standards of the province;
Have all the required qualifications, documentation and training needed to perform the duties of your job;
Have a Work Permit issued by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada or you must meet the requirements to apply for one
The permit must still be valid for at least six months from when you apply
Have the intention to live and work in Newfoundland and Labrador;
Have enough money to settle you and your dependents in the province;
Be employed by someone who can prove that your specific skill set is needed; and
Provide the relevant language test results that show you have the required language ability needed to fulfil your job’s duties
Several factors can also make you ineligible for the Skilled Worker category. Please take note of these disqualifications, to ensure your application stands the best chance at success.
You are Ineligible For This Category If You:
Are a refugee claimant;
Do not have a full-time offer of employment from an employer in Newfoundland and Labrador;
Have custody issue that have yet to be resolved;
Or any of your dependents over the age of 22 has a criminal record;
Lied about yourself in your application; and
Have an employer that lied about themselves or about the job they offered you;
If you quit or lose your job during the entire process your application might fail
International Graduate Category
International students who have graduated from a recognized tertiary institution in Canada can be nominated for permanent residency through this category.
To be Eligible For This Category, You Must:
Have graduated from a recognized, publicly funded, Canadian tertiary institution and you must have completed a minimum of half of your studies in Canada;
While studying full-time, have completed a minimum of a two-year diploma or degree. If you have completed a postgraduate degree of at least one year in length, you might still satisfy this requirement;
Have an offer of employment for a full-time, permanent position;
Be legally allowed to work in Canada, meaning you must have a Post-Graduate Work Permit issued by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada;
Have all the required qualifications, documentation and training needed to perform the duties of your job;
Have the intention to live and work in Newfoundland and Labrador;
Have an offer of employment that meets the province’s salary and employment standards;
Have an offer of employment for a job that has the potential for advancement;
Have enough money to settle you and your dependents in the province;
Provide the relevant language test results that show you have the required language ability needed to fulfil your job’s duties
Please note: If you graduated from an institution outside of Newfoundland and Labrador, you might have to acquire one year’s work experience in your field of study before you can submit your provincial nomination program application.
Several factors can also make you ineligible for the International Graduate category. Please take note of these disqualifications, to ensure your application stands the best chance at success.
You are Ineligible For This Category If You:
Are a student and you have not completed your studies yet;
Are a refugee claimant;
Were sponsored to study in Canada by a government or agency that expects you to return to your home country once you graduate;
Or any of your dependents has a serious medical condition;
Or any of your dependents over the age of 22 has a criminal record;
Have custody issue that have yet to be resolved;
Lied about yourself in your application; and
Have an employer that lied about themselves or about the job they offered you;
If you quit or lose your job during the entire process your application might fail
International Graduate Entrepreneur Category
International students who have graduated from Memorial University or College of the North Atlantic can be nominated for permanent residency through this category.
To be Eligible For This Category, You Must:
Have already started or bought a business in Newfoundland & Labrador and been involved in the day to day operations for a minimum of one continuous year;
Be at least 21 years old;
Submit a business continuity plan that has been verified by a professional third party;
Have completed a degree or diploma worth at least two academic years, full-time;
Be a holder of a valid post graduate work permit;
Have the intention to live and work in Newfoundland and Labrador while continuing to manage your business;
Have a minimum of 33.3% ownership in your business;
Create at least one full time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
Demonstrate that the business’s intent is to be for-profit;
Score a minimum of 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark test
Priority will be given to applicants focusing on high-demand sectors such as Agriculture, Technology and Natural Resources
Several factors can also make you ineligible for the International Graduate Entrepreneur category. Please take note of these disqualifications, to ensure your application stands the best chance at success.
You are Ineligible For This Category If You:
Are currently living illegally in your country of residence;
Have had a removal order issued against you by the IRCC or Canada Border Services Agency;
Are prohibited from entering Canada;
Intend to be a passive investor; or
Are not eligible to apply because your status is void.
International Entrepreneur Category
This program is for experienced business owners or business managers looking to start or buy an existing business and permanently reside in Newfoundland & Labrador.
To be Eligible For This Category, You Must:
Be 21 to 59 years of age;
Submit a complete business plan for your new venture, verified by a third party professional;
Have a minimum of a Canadian high school diploma, verified by an Educational Credential Assessment;
Intend to settle, reside and conduct your business in Newfoundland and Labrador;
Have a net worth of $600,000;
Invest a minimum of $200,000 in your business or an existing business for ownership of at least 33.3%;
Create at least one full time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
Have at least two years of experience in managing you own business or five years in a senior management role;
Have a minimum core of 5 in all categories for the Canadian Language Benchmark test; and
Complete an Expression of Interest and receive an invitation to apply.
Several factors can also make you ineligible for the International Entrepreneur category. Please take note of these disqualifications, to ensure your application stands the best chance at success.
You are Ineligible For This Category If You:
Are currently living illegally in your country of residence;
Have had a removal order issued against you by the IRCC or Canada Border Services Agency;
Are prohibited from entering Canada;
Intend to be a passive investor; or
Are not eligible to apply because your status is void.
The Provincial Nomination Assessment Grid
The Provincial Nomination Assessment Grid is used to calculate a score for the province to determine whether a candidate has the suitable skills and ability to make a significant contribution to Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy. Below you will find a detailed look at the various scoring factors.
The Assessment Grid considers the following factors:
Education and Training (Maximum Points 28)
Master’s or Doctorate degree (28 Points)
University degree that require at least three years of full-time study (23 Points
Trade certification equivalent to journeyperson status in Newfoundland and Labrador (this credential must be approved by the Department of Advanced Education and Skills (23 Points)
Degree, diploma or certificate that required at least two years of full-time post-secondary study, or certificate equivalent (18 Points)
Degree, diploma or certificate that required at least one year of full-time post-secondary study, or certificate equivalent to a trade certificate (15 Points)
Skilled Work Experience (Maximum Points 20)
Language Ability (Maximum Points 27)
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 8 and higher (27 Points)
CLB 7 (23 Points)
CLB 6 (21 Points)
CLB 5 (19 Points)
Age (Maximum Points 12)
Less than 18 years (0 Points)
18-21 years (8 Points)
22-33 years (12 Points)
34-45 years (10 Points)
46-50 years (8 Points)
More than 50 years (0 Points)
Connection to Labour Market and Adaptability (Maximum Points 13)
Close relative in Newfoundland and Labrador (the applicant or accompanying spouse has a close relative that is a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident residing in Newfoundland and LAbrador – includes: parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, cousin and step-family members or in-laws of the same relationships) (7 Points)
Previous work experience in Newfoundland and Labrador (the applicant worked in Newfoundland and Labrador for at least twelve months in the past five years on a valid work permit) (3 Points)
Previous student experience in Newfoundland and Labrador (the applicant studied at a recognized Newfoundland and Labrador educational institution for at least one full-time academic year on a valid study permit) (3 Points)
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
Newfoundland and Labrador is a participating province of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program. This is a Canadian governmental initiative seeking to address the large labour and population shortage in the four Atlantic provinces. Employers are empowered to attract and retain more global skilled labour into the province through the pilot.
The pilot program saw an additional 1,900 immigrants settle in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2019. This program is expected to increase in size and scope as time goes on. We recommend you regularly check for updates on the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program.
Immigration to a new country can certainly seem complicated and confusing. Newfoundland and Labrador PNP immigration streams help simplify the process. Individuals with skills and abilities that can benefit the province are encouraged to apply.
Whether you are a skilled worker or a university student, the Newfoundland Provincial Nominee Program can help you find a new home in Canada. Thanks to Newfoundland and Labrador PNP Express Entry, it has never been easier to immigrate to this great province. Start the process here.
Canada has long welcomed immigrants, the province of Newfoundland and Labrador is no exception. While immigration programs at the federal level do exist, the NLPNP is typically a better option for individuals looking to immigrate specifically to the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Unlike many other PNPs, the Newfoundland and Labrador Nominee Program does not have a single stream that works on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system and consequently, all new NL provincial nominee program applications from eligible prospective immigrants are accepted.