Why Apply for the Newfoundland and Labrador PNP (NL PNP)?

The province of Newfoundland and Labrador provides a friendly community together with developing business prospects in healthcare and technology and skilled trades sectors. Through the NL Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) skilled workers and entrepreneurs and graduates can obtain Canadian permanent residency. The program's focus on applicants and specific immigration pathways make it the top option for new immigrants.
 

  • The pathways align with the provincial labour market demands and support long-term population expansion plans.
  • The cost of living remains more affordable when compared to other Canadian provinces.
  • Immigration priority focuses on occupations which include healthcare professionals and technology experts.
  • The immigration program provides options for candidates holding or lacking job offers.
  • The program suits individuals who want to establish permanent settlement in the region and pursue long-term personal development.\
     

What is the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)?

The NLPNP represents an economic immigration program which selects people who possess skills that drive provincial economic development. Under the administration of the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism the program provides multiple pathways to address employer workforce gaps and support permanent settlement for newcomers to Newfoundland and Labrador.
 

*Want to apply for NL PNP? Sign up with Y-Axis to guide you with the process.
 

Benefits of the NL PNP

Some of the benefits of applying for NL PNP are as follows:

  • The provincial nomination system offers an accelerated path to permanent residency in Canada.
  • Specific streams including Priority Skills NL allow applicants to apply without holding a job offer.
  • The program delivers entry into an expanding job market along with access to vital public services across Atlantic Canada.
  • The region offers welcoming communities along with lower housing costs than major provinces.
  • The program provides specific programs and services that help international graduates and skilled professionals.
     

Benefits of the NL PNP

NL PNP Streams

The provincial government of Newfoundland and Labrador provides five immigration streams through the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) to attract workers and graduates and entrepreneurs who will support local economic and community growth.

  • Express Entry Skilled Worker Stream: The Express Entry Skilled Worker Stream targets applicants who hold active Express Entry profiles and possess job offers from employers based in Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • Skilled Worker Stream: The Skilled Worker Stream accepts applications from individuals who possess specialized abilities and hold permanent full-time employment offers from local employers.
  • International Graduate Stream: The International Graduate Stream welcomes graduates from Canadian post-secondary institutions who receive valid job offers within the province.
  • International Entrepreneur Category: The International Entrepreneur Category enables experienced entrepreneurs to start or jointly own businesses or purchase existing enterprises in Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • International Graduate Entrepreneur Category: The International Graduate Entrepreneur Category allows provincial university graduates who have started or acquired businesses to participate in Newfoundland and Labrador.
     

NL PNP Streams

Eligibility Criteria for NL PNP

The eligibility criteria for the NL PNP is as follows:           

  • Have a valid employment offer must come from a local employer although some immigration streams do not need this requirement
  • Applicants must be between 21 to 59 years old to qualify for most immigration streams
  • Applicants need to have achieved at least a post-secondary diploma or degree to meet the educational standards.
  • Relevant work experience of at least one year is required for most immigration streams
  • Meet the language proficiency requirements CLB 5 or higher depending on stream
  • The applicant must demonstrate their plan to live and work within Newfoundland and Labrador.
     

Eligibility Criteria for NL PNP

NL PNP points calculator

The NL PNP Points Calculator serves as an evaluation tool which determines applicant eligibility for the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program through a 100-point scoring system. Points are awarded for education, work experience, language ability, age, and ties to the province.

Factor

Criteria

Points

FACTOR I: LABOUR MARKET SUCCESS INDICATORS

Max 87

(A) Education & Training

 

 

 

 

Master’s or Doctorate degree

28

University degree (min. 3 years full-time study)

23

Trade certification (equivalent to journeyperson in NL, approved by Dept. of Advanced Education & Skills)

23

Degree/diploma/certificate (min. 2 years full-time post-secondary)

18

Degree/diploma/certificate (min. 1 year full-time post-secondary or trade certificate equivalent)

15

(B) Skilled Work Experience (Past 5 Years)

 

 

 

 

5 years

15

4 years

12

3 years

9

2 years

6

1 year

3

(C) Skilled Work Experience (6–10 Years Ago)

 

 

 

 

5 years

7

4 years

6

3 years

5

2 years

4

1 year

2

(D) Language Ability (First Official Language)

 

 

 

CLB 8 and higher

27

CLB 7

23

CLB 6

21

CLB 5

19

(E) Age

 

 

 

 

22–33 years

12

34–45 years

10

18–21 years

8

46–50 years

8

Under 18 or Over 50

0

FACTOR II: CONNECTION TO LABOUR MARKET & ADAPTABILITY

 

Max 13

Close relative in Newfoundland and Labrador

Canadian citizen or PR living in NL (includes extended and in-law family)

7

Previous work experience in NL

12 months full-time work on valid work permit in past 5 years

3

Previous study experience in NL

1 year full-time study at recognized NL institution on valid study permit

3

TOTAL MAXIMUM POINTS

 

100

 

Requirements for Newfoundland and Labrador PNP

You must fulfil the below requirements to apply for Newfoundland and Labrador PNP:

  • Intention to reside in Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Full-time, permanent job offer (for most streams)
  • Relevant work experience
  • Language proficiency (CLB 5 or higher)
  • Educational qualifications
  • Age between 21–59 (varies by stream)
  • Proof of settlement funds (if applicable)
  • Valid Express Entry profile (for Express Entry stream)
  • Licensure or certification (if applicable)
  • Legal status in Canada (if applying from within Canada)|
     

Requirements for Newfoundland and Labrador PNP

How to apply for NL PNP?

You can follow the below steps to apply for NL PNP:|
 

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility

Evaluate your profile against the NLPNP streams to identify which stream matches your qualifications.
 

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents

Collect all necessary documents which consist of educational certificates and work records and language test certificates and job offer documentation together with identification papers.
 

Step 3: Submit an Application to NLPNP

Submit your application for NLPNP through the online portal. After creating an account you should fill out the application form using precise information.
 

Step 4: Receive Provincial Nomination

The NLPNP will issue a provincial nomination certificate to successful applicants who pass the application process.
 

Step 5: Apply for Permanent Residency

The nomination allows you to submit an application to IRCC for permanent residency status in Canada.
 

NL PNP Application Fees

The immigration streams within the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) do not require an application fee for their majority. Applicants can apply to eligible streams such as the Skilled Worker, Express Entry Skilled Worker, and International Graduate streams free of cost. However, standard fees still apply when submitting a permanent residency application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) after receiving a provincial nomination.
 

NL PNP Processing Time

Applications submitted to the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) undergo processing between 25 to 30 business days starting from the moment applicants submit their complete applications. The processing duration depends on which stream applicants choose and also fluctuates according to the number of applications currently being processed. After receiving a nomination from NLPNP applicants need to submit their permanent residency applications to IRCC which follows different processing timelines.
 

  • NLPNP Nomination Processing Time: Approximately 4–6 weeks
  • IRCC PR Processing Time (Post-Nomination): Varies by application type and country
     

In-Demand Occupations in Newfoundland and Labrador

The table below has details of the top 10 in-demand occupations in Newfoundland and Labrador along with their average annual salaries:

Occupation

Average Annual Salary (CAD)

Family Physician

$257,752

Software Developer

$83,000

Information Systems Analyst/Consultant

$65,577

Electrical Engineer

$85,995

Registered Nurse

$75,000

Heavy Equipment Operator

$63,914

Carpenter

$61,022

Retail Sales Associate

$60,383

Construction Tradesperson

$39,891

Aquaculture Technician

$35,100

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get PNP in Newfoundland and Labrador?

The NLPNP completes the evaluation of complete applications between 25 and 30 business days which equals about 4 to 6 weeks. The complete process for Canadian permanent residence requires IRCC federal processing that takes anywhere between six and twelve months based on the specific stream and country of origin. Various elements related to document readiness and market conditions affect processing durations.

What is the processing fee for NLPNP?

NLPNP operates without charging provincial application fees across all its immigration pathways which include Skilled Worker Stream and Express Entry Skilled Worker Stream and International Graduate Stream. Your nomination by NLPNP requires payment of the federal IRCC permanent residency application fee which stands at CAD $1,365 for the main applicant during 2025.

What is the minimum points requirement for NLPNP?

The Express Entry Skilled Worker stream requires applicants to achieve 67 points or higher on the NLPNP Points Assessment Grid to qualify for eligibility. The assessment system distributes points through evaluation of educational background alongside professional experience and language proficiency and age and adaptability features that include connections to NL through relatives or work and study experience.

Do I need a job offer to apply for Newfoundland and Labrador PNP?

A permanent full-time employment offer from an NL employer stands as a mandatory requirement for most NLPNP streams which include Skilled Worker and Express Entry Skilled Worker streams. Priority Skills NL permits highly skilled applicants from specific occupations to apply without job offers but they must fulfil other eligibility requirements.

Who is eligible for NLPNP?

The NLPNP program requires applicants to satisfy the below eligibility criteria:

  • The applicant needs to obtain permanent full-time employment from a qualified Newfoundland and Labrador employer (excluding Priority Skills NL stream)
  • The candidate needs to demonstrate professional work experience in their specific field
  • Post-secondary education (degree, diploma, or trade certification)
  • The applicant needs to demonstrate language proficiency at CLB 5 or higher level in English or French
  • The applicant demonstrates sincere plans to establish permanent residence in Newfoundland and Labrador
  • The applicant must have valid Canadian status if submitting an application from inside the country
  • The applicant needs to provide evidence of adequate settlement funds when they are not currently employed within the province
Is NLPNP the easiest?

The ease of the application depends on the applicant but NLPNP has lower barriers for candidates who possess job offers for in-demand occupations and those who have connections to the province. The program's affordable living costs and rapid processing speed together with its free provincial application system attract skilled workers and international graduates.

Does NLPNP guarantee PR?

A provincial nomination does not guarantee permanent residency but it significantly increases your probability of being selected. The NLPNP nomination helps applicants obtain 600 CRS points in the Express Entry system or alternatively lets them submit direct IRCC applications for PR through the base stream. The federal government grants the final approval for permanent residency applications.

What are the requirements for NL PNP?

The requirements for NP PNP consist of the following:

  • A full-time, permanent job offer (for most streams)
  • Minimum CLB 5 language score
  • Relevant work experience (usually 1+ year)
  • Post-secondary education
  • Legal status (if in Canada)
  • Proof of settlement funds (if applicable)
  • Express Entry profile (for Express Entry stream)
What is the processing time for NL PNP?

A complete NLPNP application requires 25 to 30 business days for processing on average. After you receive a nomination you will then submit your permanent residency application to IRCC which requires 6 to 12 months or more for federal processing.

What are the application fees for NL PNP?

There are no application fees charged by the province for applying to NLPNP. The only fees payable are to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) at the permanent residency stage, starting from CAD $1,365 for the principal applicant.