Newfoundland and Labrador issues provincial immigration invitations to 445 candidates
Newfoundland and Labrador Holds Major PNP Draw, Invites 445 Candidates
The invitations were shared between the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), offering skilled workers another opportunity to move toward Canadian permanent residence.
Province Conducts Ninth Immigration Draw of 2026
The July 28 selection marked the ninth provincial immigration draw conducted by Newfoundland and Labrador in 2026. The province substantially increased the number of invitations compared to its previous selection round, reflecting renewed momentum in its immigration efforts.
The invitations were distributed as follows:
| Immigration Program | Invitations Issued |
|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) | 400 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) | 45 |
| Total | 445 |
Provincial authorities have not released details about the specific NLPNP streams included in the draw or the occupations of the selected candidates.
Selection Priorities Continue to Focus on Labour Market Needs
- Have work experience in occupations facing labour shortages.
- Work in healthcare or customer-facing service industries.
- Studied in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Show a strong commitment to establishing themselves permanently in the province.
Biggest Invitation Round Since Early March
The province’s 2026 draw history now stands as follows:
| Date of Draw | Total Invitations |
|---|---|
| March 6 | 445 |
| March 30 | 245 |
| April 13 | 210 |
| May 1 | 190 |
| May 11 | 186 |
| May 28 | 103 |
| June 10 | 108 |
| July 10 | 57 |
| July 28 | 445 |
The latest round matches the province’s highest invitation total recorded in 2026.
Invitations to Apply (ITA) Updates
OIM reviews EOIs and issues Invitations to Apply (ITA) in batches throughout the year. When ITAs are issued, the table below will be updated.
| Date Issued | Number of ITAs Issued | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| April 3, 2025 | 256 | NLPNP – 206, AIP – 50 |
| May 8, 2025 | 328 | NLPNP – 281, AIP – 47 |
| May 29, 2025 | 405 | NLPNP – 351, AIP – 54 |
| June 24, 2025 | 320 | NLPNP – 257, AIP – 63 |
| July 10, 2025 | 359 | NLPNP – 300, AIP – 59 |
| July 29, 2025 | 150 | NLPNP – 100, AIP – 50 |
| August 13, 2025 | 231 | NLPNP – 180, AIP – 51 |
| August 29, 2025 | 202 | NLPNP – 125, AIP – 77 |
| September 12, 2025 | 353 | NLPNP – 218, AIP – 135 |
| September 26, 2025 | 217 | NLPNP – 107, AIP – 110 |
| October 9, 2025 | 125 | NLPNP – 73, AIP – 52 |
| October 22, 2025 | 100 | NLPNP – 55, AIP – 45 |
| November 12, 2025 | 330 | NLPNP – 220, AIP – 110 |
| March 6, 2026 | 445 | NLPNP – 362, AIP – 83 |
| March 30, 2026 | 245 | NLPNP – 209, AIP – 36 |
| April 13, 2026 | 210 | NLPNP – 177, AIP – 33 |
| May 1, 2026 | 190 | NLPNP – 157, AIP – 33 |
Frequently Asked Questions surrounding the EOI Model can be found here. OIM uses EOI prioritization criteria to guide its decisions.
Nearly 2,000 Invitations Issued This Year
Following the latest draw, Newfoundland and Labrador has now invited 1,989 candidates through its provincial immigration programs in 2026.
Most invitations have been issued under the NLPNP, demonstrating the province’s continued reliance on its Provincial Nominee Program to attract skilled workers.
Current totals for the year include:
- NLPNP: 1,663 invitations
- Atlantic Immigration Program: 326 invitations
- Overall invitations: 1,989
This means more than four out of every five invitations issued this year have been through the Provincial Nominee Program.
How Candidates Enter the Selection Process
Individuals interested in immigrating through Newfoundland and Labrador generally begin by creating an Expression of Interest (EOI) in the province’s Immigration Accelerator Portal.
For most immigration pathways, applicants must first obtain a valid job offer from an eligible employer in Newfoundland and Labrador before submitting an EOI. Entrepreneur categories operate under different eligibility requirements.
Candidates provide information including:
- Educational qualifications
- Skilled work experience
- Language test results
- Employment details
- Plans to settle in Newfoundland and Labrador
Eligible profiles remain in the provincial candidate pool, where they may be selected during future invitation rounds based on provincial priorities.
What Happens After Receiving an Invitation?
The next steps differ depending on the immigration pathway. For candidates selected through the NLPNP, the invited applicant submits a provincial nomination application. Once approved, they receive a provincial nomination certificate, which supports an application for Canadian permanent residence.
For the Atlantic Immigration Program, the employer is responsible for submitting the endorsement application. After receiving an endorsement certificate, the foreign worker can apply to the federal government for permanent residence.
Candidates whose EOIs are not selected remain in the pool for up to 12 months. If no invitation is received during that period, a new Expression of Interest must be submitted to continue being considered.
Current Permanent Residence Processing Times
According to the latest federal processing estimates, permanent residence applications are currently processed within the following timeframes:
| Immigration Pathway | Estimated Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Base Provincial Nominee Program | 12 months |
| Enhanced Provincial Nominee Program | 7 months |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 26 months |
Processing times may change depending on application volumes and individual case complexity.
Conclusion
With nearly 2,000 invitations already issued in 2026 and one of the year’s largest draws now completed, the province continues to use both the NLPNP and the Atlantic Immigration Program to strengthen its workforce and support long-term population growth.
Source :- https://www.gov.nl.ca
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