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Newfoundland and Labrador PNP (NLPNP)
Last updated: 2026-09-17
The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) lets the province select and nominate candidates for permanent residence, and is run by the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism. Since February 2025 selection has worked in two stages: candidates file a short, free Expression of Interest (EOI), the province issues Invitations to Apply (ITA) in batches according to its priorities, and only invited candidates may file a full NLPNP or Atlantic Immigration Program application. Nominees then apply to IRCC for permanent residence. With a small population and concentrated labour shortages, the province gives clear preference to health occupations, jobs in rural areas and graduates of its own institutions.
- Who it suits
- Skilled workers with a full-time offer in NL, graduates of NL and other Canadian institutions, and entrepreneurs
- Age
- 21 to 59 for the skilled worker, international graduate and entrepreneur categories
- Language
- A test is required for TEER 4 and 5 jobs under the skilled worker category; entrepreneurs need CLB 5
- Selection
- File a free EOI first; invited candidates have 60 days to submit a full application
Official processing times
Taken from IRCC's own processing times tool and synced twice a month.
| Application type | Published processing time |
|---|---|
| Provincial nominee — Express Entry | about 7 months |
| Provincial nominee — base track | about 13 months |
IRCC data updated: October 9, 2026 · Synced by us: 2026-10-20
Processing times are IRCC's statistics on applications it has already finished — a guide, not a commitment. Individual files vary with document completeness, requests for more information and background checks. For applications where the time depends on where you file, only a few common locations are listed; use IRCC's tool for others.
The five categories
Express Entry Skilled Worker
- For candidates already in the federal Express Entry pool with a full-time offer in NL
- A nomination adds 600 CRS points, which effectively guarantees an invitation
- Both the federal Express Entry criteria and the provincial criteria must be met
- Best suited to candidates with strong language and education credentials
Skilled Worker
- For candidates with a full-time offer in NL who are not going through Express Entry
- Not open to holders of a post-graduation work permit, who must use the International Graduate category
- The employer normally has to complete a Job Vacancy Assessment
- Applicants must be 21 to 59 and have enough settlement funds
International Graduate
- For graduates of Canadian institutions holding a valid post-graduation work permit
- The job must relate to the field of study, with exceptions for Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic graduates
- Graduates of institutions outside NL must first work one year in the province
- Graduates of NL institutions are prioritized in the EOI process
International Entrepreneur
- For candidates investing in and actively running a business in NL
- Candidates come first on a work permit and are nominated only after meeting the business requirements
- Candidates applying from outside the province must first complete an exploratory visit
- A separate International Graduate Entrepreneur category exists for local graduates starting a business
Skilled worker requirements
These apply to both the Skilled Worker and Express Entry Skilled Worker categories.
- A full-time offer from an NL employer: at least 30 hours a week, for at least one year with a reasonable expectation of extension
- Pay must be a salary or hourly wage (not commission only) that meets provincial employment standards and the prevailing wage for the occupation
- You cannot hold a post-graduation work permit — PGWP holders must apply under the International Graduate category
- If you are in Canada, your work permit must have at least four months of validity left and your status must be valid
- The employer must complete a Job Vacancy Assessment unless you hold alternate federal work authorization
- TEER 4 and TEER 5 occupations require language test results (see the official guide for the level)
- Age 21 to 59, enough settlement funds, and a genuine intention to settle in the province
International graduate requirements
- A valid post-graduation work permit with at least four months of validity remaining
- A full-time offer in NL in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation, or an in-demand TEER 4 occupation
- The job must relate to your field of study; Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic graduates are excepted
- Graduates of recognized public institutions outside NL must first work one year in the province for that employer
- TEER 4 occupations require language test results
- Enough settlement funds, valid status, and an intention to settle in the province
International entrepreneur thresholds
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Personal and business assets | At least CAD $600,000, transferable to Canada |
| Investment and ownership | At least CAD $200,000 with 33.3% ownership, or CAD $1 million in equity |
| Language | CLB 5 (CELPIP, IELTS or TEF) |
| Age | 21 to 59 |
| Business or management experience | Two years of business ownership (25%+) in the last five years, or five years of senior management in the last ten |
| Exploratory visit | Required for candidates applying from outside the province |
This is not an investment-for-status program: candidates come on a work permit, run the business in the province, and are nominated only after meeting the business requirements.
Official international entrepreneur requirements →How EOIs are prioritized
The province publishes the priorities below; they are a good guide to your realistic chances of an invitation.
- Health and health-related occupations, which face the most severe shortages, receive the strongest priority
- Jobs in rural and regional areas that support community sustainability
- Occupations underrepresented in NL compared with other provinces: business and finance, science and research, trades and transport
- Employers with a strong compliance record and good retention of previous hires
- Indicators of long-term retention: family ties, previous residence in the province, durable job opportunities
- Graduates of NL post-secondary institutions whose skills match priority sectors
- Sales and service roles in the St. John's metro area receive lower priority when program usage is already high
How to apply
- 1
Confirm which category fits
Decide between the skilled worker, international graduate and entrepreneur categories. PGWP holders can only use the International Graduate category.
- 2
Secure an NL employer and offer
The offer must be full-time, at least 30 hours a week, for at least one year; the employer normally needs a Job Vacancy Assessment.
- 3
File an Expression of Interest
Submit a short, free EOI through the provincial system and join the pool.
- 4
Wait for an Invitation to Apply
Invitations go out in batches by priority; health occupations, rural jobs and NL graduates are invited most readily.
- 5
Submit the full application within 60 days
Invited candidates have 60 days to file a complete NLPNP or Atlantic Immigration Program application.
- 6
Apply for permanent residence after nomination
Express Entry candidates add 600 points to their profile; others file a provincial nominee PR application directly with IRCC.
Common questions
I hold a PGWP — can I use the skilled worker category?+
No. Newfoundland and Labrador explicitly excludes post-graduation work permit holders from the Skilled Worker category; you must apply under the International Graduate category, which requires at least four months of validity left on the permit. Do not wait until the permit is nearly expired to start.
I studied outside NL — can I still use the International Graduate category?+
Yes, with an added condition: graduates of recognized public institutions outside the province must first work full-time in NL for that employer for one year. Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic graduates can apply sooner and are excepted from the field-of-study match.
Does filing an EOI guarantee an invitation?+
No. An EOI only places you in the pool. The province invites in batches based on its annual allocation and labour market needs, and adjusts priorities during the year. Your occupation, whether the job is urban or rural, and the employer's record all affect your chances.
Is a language test always required?+
Not in every case. Under the skilled worker category, TEER 4 and 5 occupations require test results; under the international graduate category, TEER 4 occupations do; entrepreneurs need CLB 5. Even where no test is required, language ability affects the job itself and the later PR application.
How does this relate to the Atlantic Immigration Program?+
Both are fed by the same EOI system. Once invited, candidates choose whether to file an NLPNP or an AIP application. The AIP is run jointly by the federal government and the four Atlantic provinces and requires a designated employer, so the criteria and process differ — it is worth assessing both before filing an EOI.
Wondering whether you qualify?
Contact us for an assessment and plan tailored to your background.
Book a consultationThis page summarizes official information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for general reference only. Immigration rules change often, so always check IRCC's latest requirements. Every case is different — contact us for an assessment of your situation.
Sources (IRCC official website)
- Government of NL: Provincial Nominee Program
- Government of NL: Skilled Worker category
- Government of NL: International Graduate category
- Government of NL: International Entrepreneur category
- Government of NL: Expression of Interest model
- Government of NL: EOI prioritization criteria
- Government of NL: Invitations to Apply updates