Newfoundland and Labrador invites 95 workers to move toward permanent residence

ST. JOHN'S — Newfoundland and Labrador has announced 95 new invitations for foreign workers, issued in two immigration draws held on November 9 and 13, 2026, as part of the province's efforts to attract qualified workers and meet labour market needs.

The invitations were split between the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP), which received 73, and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), which received 22.

Selected candidates have 30 days to submit their complete applications to the province's Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism, which will then assess their eligibility for nomination or provincial endorsement.

The step is an opportunity to move toward permanent residence, but it does not mean final approval of the applications.

Details of the two new draws

Official data from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador show the invitations were distributed as follows:

• November 9, 2026: 35 invitations through the NLPNP, 22 through the AIP, for a total of 57
• November 13, 2026: 38 invitations through the NLPNP, none through the AIP, for a total of 38
• Total: 73 through the NLPNP, 22 through the AIP, for a total of 95

The November 9 draw saw the largest number of AIP invitations since August 26, when the province issued 46 invitations under the program.

The November 13 draw was limited to the Provincial Nominee Program, with no invitations issued through the Atlantic Immigration Program.

The provincial government did not disclose the specific occupations of the selected candidates or the sectors they belong to.

More than 3,300 invitations since the start of 2026

The two latest draws brought the total number of immigration invitations issued by Newfoundland and Labrador since the start of the year to 3,327, across 24 selection rounds.

Of that total, 2,897 invitations were issued under the Provincial Nominee Program and 430 through the Atlantic Immigration Program.

The figures reflect the province's continued reliance on economic immigration pathways to attract foreign workers, with priority given to candidates whose qualifications match local labour market needs.

The province had held two earlier draws on November 2 and 4, issuing 75 additional invitations.

30 days to submit immigration applications

Authorities said people who received invitations must submit their complete applications within 30 days of receiving the invitation.

This applies both to candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program and to those applying through the Atlantic Immigration Program.

Once an application is submitted, the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism reviews the documents and verifies that the required conditions are met.

If approved, the candidate receives a provincial nomination or an endorsement certificate, depending on the program through which they applied.

The candidate can then apply for permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The final decision on granting permanent residence rests with federal authorities.

How to apply to the immigration programs

Newfoundland and Labrador uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) system, which allows qualified foreign workers to declare their interest in immigrating to the province.

The process begins with meeting the requirements of one of the available programs, then creating a profile and submitting it through the designated system.

Authorities review profiles according to their economic priorities before inviting specific candidates.

Creating an Expression of Interest profile does not guarantee an invitation, even if the candidate meets the basic requirements.

The relevant worker pathways also require a qualifying job offer, according to the rules of each program.

Which occupations does the province prioritize?

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador sets a number of priorities it relies on when selecting candidates for immigration.

Health care jobs come first, because of the ongoing need for workers in the health care sector.

The province also gives consideration to jobs in rural areas and outside major urban centres.

Priorities also include some occupations related to business, finance, scientific research, skilled trades and transportation.

Some graduates of educational institutions in the province may benefit from potential priority, particularly when their skills match the needs of the local economy.

Authorities also take into account a candidate's ties to the province and the likelihood of settling there over the long term, as well as their contribution to supporting French-speaking communities.

The government says these criteria guide the selection process but do not guarantee an invitation.

How long does processing of permanent residence applications take?

According to the federal processing times published at the time of reporting, the expected time to obtain permanent residence varies depending on the immigration pathway.

The estimated time is 13 months for base provincial nomination applications, compared with seven months for enhanced provincial nominations linked to the Express Entry system.

For Atlantic Immigration Program applications, the estimated processing time is 26 months.

These timelines are not a guarantee of when decisions will be issued, as they may vary depending on how complete and complex files are and on the volume of applications before federal authorities.

Some candidates already in Canada may, after applying for permanent residence and meeting the conditions, apply for a bridging open work permit.

Candidates in the Atlantic Immigration Program may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit valid for up to two years.

New opportunities for workers who want to settle in Canada

The new invitations come as part of the province's policy of attracting qualified workers, particularly in sectors facing labour shortages.

The economic programs aim to help employers fill job vacancies and encourage immigrants to settle in local communities.

With the number of invitations now above 3,300 since the start of the year, Newfoundland and Labrador continues to use draws to select candidates in line with its priorities.

Those who wish to follow draw results and application requirements can consult the official Newfoundland and Labrador immigration invitations page.