Newfoundland and Labrador’s Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism issued 95 invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence over two selection rounds held on November 9 and November 13. Seventy-three invitations were extended through the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP), while twenty-two candidates secured endorsements under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). Candidates now have 30 days to submit full applications to the province; once nominated or endorsed, they may apply federally to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence. The dual-track approach reflects the province’s strategy of blending a demand-driven provincial stream with the regionally coordinated AIP to tackle persistent labour shortages in health care, skilled trades and rural communities. According to provincial data, Newfoundland and Labrador has issued 3,327 invitations so far in 2026, with roughly 13 percent allocated to the AIP. For employers, the latest draws are significant because NLPNP nominees can obtain a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) once their PR application is filed, allowing them to remain in Canada and continue working without the administrative burden of a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). AIP endorsees qualify for a two-year employer-specific work permit that similarly bypasses LMIA requirements. Mobility teams with operations in Atlantic Canada should review talent pipelines to ensure high-potential foreign workers are entered into Newfoundland and Labrador’s Expression-of-Interest pool before year-end, as the province typically accelerates selections in December to meet annual targets. Companies should also track processing times—currently seven months for enhanced PNPs and 26 months for AIP cases—to align onboarding plans with real-world timelines.
Source: CIC News
