Newfoundland and Labrador Holds Smallest Immigration Draw of 2026

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Newfoundland and Labrador Holds Smallest Immigration Draw of 2026, Invites 57 Skilled Candidates

Newfoundland and Labrador has conducted another provincial immigration draw, issuing invitations to skilled foreign workers through its two major economic immigration pathways. The latest selection round reflects a continued slowdown in invitation numbers compared to the beginning of the year, while also highlighting the growing role of the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) in meeting the province’s workforce needs.

The July 10 draw resulted in 57 invitations being issued to eligible candidates seeking permanent residence in Canada through provincial pathways. Although the overall number of invitations was lower than previous rounds, the province continues to target workers who can help address labour shortages and contribute to long-term economic growth.

Also Check Out 2026-2028 immigration levels plan | Canada Immigration Plan 2025 to 2027 | Canada Immigration Levels Plan For 2024-2026 | Canada Immigration Level Plan for 2023-2025

July 10 Immigration Draw Results

During the latest invitation round, Newfoundland and Labrador selected candidates through both the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). The distribution of invitations was as follows:

Immigration Program	Invitations Issued
Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)	17
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)	40
Total	57

This marks the eighth provincial immigration draw conducted by Newfoundland and Labrador in 2026 and the smallest invitation round recorded so far this year.

One notable aspect of the latest draw is that the Atlantic Immigration Program accounted for the majority of invitations. Around 70% of all invitations issued went to AIP candidates, making it the first time since late 2025 that the Atlantic Immigration Program has surpassed the Provincial Nominee Program in invitation numbers.

Atlantic Immigration Program Takes the Lead

While Newfoundland and Labrador has traditionally invited more candidates through the NLPNP, the latest draw signals a temporary shift toward employer-driven immigration through the Atlantic Immigration Program.

The AIP allows designated employers across Atlantic Canada to recruit qualified foreign workers and international graduates for positions they are unable to fill locally. Since candidates under the AIP already have employer support, the program continues to serve as an important solution for businesses experiencing ongoing labour shortages.

Although the province did not explain the reason behind the higher number of AIP invitations, it reflects the increasing importance of employer participation in attracting skilled talent.

Invitation Numbers Continue to Decline

The province began 2026 with significantly larger immigration draws, but invitation numbers have steadily decreased over the past several months.

Below is a summary of all draws held so far this year:

Date of Draw	Total Invitations
March 6, 2026	445
March 30, 2026	245
April 13, 2026	210
May 1, 2026	190
May 11, 2026	186
May 28, 2026	103
June 10, 2026	108
July 10, 2026	57

Except for a slight increase recorded in June, every draw throughout the year has generally seen fewer invitations than the previous one. The July selection establishes a new low for 2026. Despite smaller invitation rounds, the province continues to issue invitations regularly, ensuring employers can still recruit skilled professionals when needed.

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.

More Than 1,500 Invitations Issued in 2026

Since the beginning of the year, Newfoundland and Labrador has invited a total of 1,544 immigration candidates across both programs.

The majority of invitations have been issued through the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program, which has accounted for more than four-fifths of all invitations issued during 2026. The Atlantic Immigration Program has made up the remaining share.

This balanced approach allows the province to address workforce shortages through both provincial nominations and employer-led immigration pathways.

Which Candidates May Receive Priority?

The province has not released occupation-specific information for the July draw. However, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Expression of Interest (EOI) system allows immigration officials to prioritize candidates based on labour market needs and settlement potential.

Applicants may receive greater consideration if they:

Work in occupations experiencing labour shortages.
Have employment in the healthcare sector.
Accept jobs located outside larger urban centres.
Demonstrate strong plans to settle permanently in the province.
Have previous education or established connections within Newfoundland and Labrador.
Work in occupations identified as underrepresented or in high demand.

These selection priorities allow the province to focus immigration on sectors facing the greatest recruitment challenges.

How Candidates Can Apply

Individuals interested in immigrating through Newfoundland and Labrador must first submit an online Expression of Interest using the province’s Immigration Accelerator Portal.

For most immigration streams, applicants must already have a valid full-time job offer from an eligible employer in Newfoundland and Labrador before creating an Expression of Interest. Entrepreneur categories remain an exception to this requirement.

Once an Expression of Interest is submitted, candidates enter the provincial selection pool, where their profile is assessed based on several factors, including:

Education credentials
Skilled work experience
Language proficiency
Employment in Newfoundland and Labrador
Long-term settlement plans
Provincial labour market priorities

The province periodically reviews the pool and invites the highest-ranked candidates to submit complete applications.

What Happens After Receiving an Invitation?

Candidates selected during a provincial draw have 60 days to submit a complete application. The application process differs slightly depending on the immigration pathway:

Successful applicants receive either a provincial nomination certificate or an endorsement certificate, depending on the program.

They can then apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence. After federal approval, applicants receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), allowing them to settle permanently in Canada.

Current Permanent Residence Processing Times

After provincial approval, applications are processed by the federal government. Current estimated processing times are:

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 federal immigration priorities.

Important Reminder for Candidates

An Expression of Interest remains active for up to 12 months. If applicants do not receive an invitation during that period, they must submit a new profile to continue being considered.

For Atlantic Immigration Program candidates, employers must complete the re-submission process if the original Expression of Interest expires.

Conclusion

Although Newfoundland and Labrador’s latest immigration draw was the smallest of the year, the province continues to use both the Provincial Nominee Program and the Atlantic Immigration Program to fill critical labour shortages and support economic development.

The higher share of invitations issued through the Atlantic Immigration Program also demonstrates the province’s continued focus on employer-driven immigration. As labour market demands evolve throughout 2026, future draws are expected to remain targeted toward candidates who possess the skills and employment needed to strengthen Newfoundland and Labrador’s workforce.

Source :- https://www.gov.nl.ca

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