Newfoundland and Labrador Conducts Major Immigration Draw
Newfoundland and Labrador Launch Significant Immigration Draw
Significant Invitation Round Held Across NLPNP and AIP
New Brunswick Continues Momentum with Multi-Stream Immigration Draws
While Newfoundland and Labrador unveiled a new selection process, New Brunswick continued its active use of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) with a series of occupation-focused draws between April 6 and April 12.
Priority Sectors for 2025
| Program | Invitations Issued |
|---|---|
| NLPNP | 220 |
| AIP | 110 |
Although the province disclosed the volume of invitations, OIM did not specify which NLPNP sub-streams were included in this round, consistent with previous draws. With this selection round completed, Newfoundland and Labrador has now conducted 13 combined draws through NLPNP and AIP in 2025.
Provincial Immigration Activity in 2025
Newfoundland and Labrador continues to surpass many of its earlier immigration performance benchmarks. As of this draw, totals for the year include:
| Program | ITAs Issued in 2025 |
|---|---|
| NLPNP | 2,473 |
| AIP | 990 |
The province’s annual nomination allocation for 2025 stands at 2,525, divided into:
- 2,050 spaces for NLPNP
- 475 spaces for AIP
It is important to distinguish between invitations and nominations.
- Invitations give candidates permission to apply for a provincial nomination.
- Nominations represent final provincial approval and count toward the federal allocation.
Because not all invited applicants complete the process or receive approval, the province regularly issues more invitations than the number of nomination spots available—ensuring it fully utilizes its annual quota. Notably, Newfoundland and Labrador’s NLPNP nomination limit was doubled this year, following a successful request for additional spaces from the federal government.
Anticipated Impact of 2026 PNP Targets
National immigration targets for 2026 reveal a significant boost for Provincial Nominee Programs. The federal government aims to admit 91,500 new permanent residents through PNPs, a dramatic rise from the 55,000 target in 2025- a 66% increase year-over-year.
Given this nationwide expansion, Newfoundland and Labrador is widely expected to receive a higher provincial allocation in 2026, allowing the province to nominate more skilled workers and address long-term labour shortages.
What This Means for Potential Applicants
- Aligning with in-demand occupations.
- Securing job offers in participating provinces.
- Staying informed on changing eligibility systems like the new EOI portal.
Backlog over The Past six Months
For a broader perspective, here is the trajectory of the backlog over the past six months:
| Month | Immigration Backlog | Change Relative to Previous Month |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | 1,097,000 | +1.73% |
| October 2024 | 1,056,100 | -3.73% |
| November 2024 | 1,006,500 | -4.70% |
| December 2024 | 942,300 | -6.38% |
| January 2025 | 892,100 | -5.33% |
| February 2025 | 821,200 | -7.95% |
With a total of 2,029,400 applications in its inventory, IRCC has successfully processed 1,208,200 applications within its service standards, demonstrating a firm commitment to efficiency.
What This Means for Candidates
The latest draw reiterates Newfoundland and Labrador’s growing role in Canada’s immigration landscape. With increasing allocations, strong labour demands, and expanding settlement programs, the province is positioning itself as a promising destination for newcomers seeking permanent residence.
Candidates invited under the NLPNP or AIP can now proceed with their applications, and successful nominees may then submit their permanent residence application directly to IRCC, or, if aligned with Express Entry, receive accelerated processing through the federal system.
