Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program

The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) has been operating since 1999. It was one of the first PNPs to launch. Like with other PNPs, this program looks to attract more immigrants to the province to address economic and labour market needs. The NLPNP attracts skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and international graduates with the skills, experience, and education to succeed in the Atlantic province. The PNP, the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), Newfoundland and Labrador are welcoming an increasing number of immigrants. The AIP is a fast-track immigration program that allows employers in the Atlantic provinces to hire foreign nationals. The Atlantic provinces are New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The province welcomes 1,200 new immigrants every year and is looking to welcome 1,700 new immigrants annually. The NLPNP has one enhanced category, the NL Express Entry Skilled Worker category.

The remaining categories are based on categories. An enhanced category is aligned with the federal Express Entry system. In contrast, a base category is one that is not aligned with the Express Entry system. Express Entry is the system that Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses to manage the main economic class immigration programs. Those who have an Express Entry profile are given a score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). During regular Express Entry draws, Canada invites the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence. If you are nominated through a provincial program such as the NL Express Entry Skilled Worker category, you are awarded an additional 600 CRS points. In a subsequent draw, you will get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. You will also get your nomination through the Express Entry profile, which you will have to accept before you get the additional points. The advantage of enhanced streams is that processing is much quicker. It may take just six months to get your Canadian permanent residence. Base streams make up most immigration streams under PNPs. These streams are not aligned with the Express Entry system. If you get a provincial nomination through a base stream, you must apply directly to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Unlike enhanced streams, base streams tend to have a processing standard of 12 months or more.

f you wish to immigrate to Saskatchewan, then you have nine options to choose from:

•    Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker;

•    Skilled Worker Category;

•    International Graduate Category;

•    International Entrepreneur Category;

•    International Graduate Entrepreneur Category.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker is for skilled workers with a job offer and an Express Entry profile. The Skilled Worker Category is for skilled workers with a job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer. It includes workers currently in the province with valid work permits. The International Graduate Category is for recent international graduates staying in Canada on a Post-Graduate Work Permit who have a job or a job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer. The International Entrepreneur Category is for foreign nationals who want to settle in Newfoundland and Labrador and start, co-manage or purchase a business in the province. Before applying for a provincial nomination, you must have been operating your business for a year on a Temporary Work Permit. The International Graduate Entrepreneur Category is for international graduates of a Newfoundland and Labrador post-secondary institution who want to establish, co-own or run a business in the province with a pathway to Canadian permanent residence.

Application Fee: CAD 250 Processing Time: 25 business days

Minimum Requirements:

•    Must have an Express Entry profile

•    Must have a full-time job or job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer (NOC level 0, A or B)

•    Must have a valid work permit or can apply for one

•    Must have a post-secondary degree or diploma

•    Must meet the minimum level of work experience based on your profession

•    Must be eligible for provincial licensure or certification if needed

•    Must show genuine intention to settle in the province;

•    Must meet the minimum language requirements

•    Must score at least 67 out of 100 points on the PNP points assessment grid

•    Must have enough money to establish yourself and your family in the province

•    Your employer must meet specific requirements

If you meet the minimum requirements outlined above, the next step would be to apply online on the province’s webpage. Make sure that your passport and work permits are valid. Before submitting your application, double-check your application and your document checklist. When you complete your online application, you may be required to participate in an interview with an immigration officer from the province. If you are successful, you will receive a provincial nomination in the Express Entry system, which you must accept. When you accept your nomination, you will get an additional 600 points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This effectively guarantees that you will be invited to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.

Application Fee: CAD $250

Processing Time: 25 business days

Minimum Requirements:

•    Must have a full-time job or job offer from an eligible Newfoundland and Labrador employer for at least two years

•    Must have the required qualifications, training, skills, and accreditation for the job

•    Must have a valid work permit with at least four months left

•    Must have the relevant experience for the job

•    Must have enough money to settle in the province

•    Must meet the minimum language requirements

First, you must make sure that you are eligible for the program.

The next step would be to complete an application on the province’s webpage. Once you submit your application, it will be assigned to an immigration officer, who will review it and recommend it to a delegated authority. The delegated authority will review the officer’s application assessment and make a final decision. Within 25 business days of submitting your 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 permanent residence directly with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Application Fee: No fee 

Processing Time: 25 business days

Minimum Requirements:

•    Must have completed at least half of your studies in Canada and graduated from an eligible college or university

•    Must have completed at least a two-year diploma or degree program (full-time)

•    Must have a full-time job offer from an eligible employer in Newfoundland and Labrador

•    Must hold a Post-Graduation Work Permit from IRCC

•    Must have the qualifications, training, skills, and/or accreditation needed for the job

•    Must have enough money to settle in Newfoundland and Labrador

•    Must meet the minimum language requirements

First, make sure that you are indeed eligible and that you meet the minimum requirements outlined above.

Once you are satisfied that you are eligible, the next step is to gather the required documents and complete your online application through this webpage.

After around 25 business days, you will find out whether your application is approved or denied.

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

Application Fee: CAD $1,000

Processing Time: Depends on the time required for document verification.

Minimum Requirements:

•    Must be between 21 and 59 years old

•    Must meet English or French language requirements

•    Must have CAD 600,000 in net business and personal assets

•    Must score at least 72 out of 120 in the Expression of Interest (EOI) assessment grid

•    Must be able to invest at least CAD 200,000 to establish a business with 33.3 percent ownership (or CAD 1 million in equity investment)

•    Must have at least two years of experience actively managing or owning a business in the last five years or five years of experience in a senior business management role in the previous ten years

•    Must have a business plan with the required documentation

•    Must have at least a high school diploma

•    Must intend to live permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador

•    Must create at least one full-time job for Canadian citizens or permanent residents

•    Must show that the business will be for-profit

•    Must conduct an exploratory visit to the province before starting or purchasing a business

You may need to meet additional criteria if you are purchasing or starting a business. In addition, your business must need particular criteria.

The first step is ensuring you are eligible for the International Entrepreneur Category. Once you are satisfied that you are, you must first complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) online.

Submitting an EOI does not count as an application and does not guarantee that you will become a permanent resident. It is a pre-application screening process. If you are successful, you will receive an Invitation to Apply from the province’s immigration office.

You will have to choose a Net Worth Verifier who will verify your net worth. You will then have to gather the required documents, including a Business Establishment Plan, and submit your application.

You will also need to submit your Net Worth Verification Report. If your application is approved, you can use your provincial nomination to apply for permanent residence with Canada’s federal immigration department, IRCC.