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Dear future neighbour,

Newfoundland and Labrador had a busy couple of weeks. The province held two draws, one on October 9 and another on October 16, and sent out 257 invitations in total.

Of those, 255 went to candidates under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP). The other two went to candidates under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).

Here’s how the two draws looked:

The province did not say which NLPNP streams were covered in these draws. It also did not share the occupations or sectors of the people invited. So if you were hoping to spot a trend, there isn’t enough information to do that yet.

What happens after you get an invitation?

Getting invited is a big win, but the clock starts ticking right away. You have 60 days to submit a complete application to the province. That means nomination if you applied through the NLPNP, or endorsement if you applied through the AIP.

Once the province approves you, you can then apply to the federal government for permanent residence (PR).

There is also good news on the work permit side. At the time of writing, a nominee already in Canada who applies through a regular provincial nominee program can apply for a bridging open work permit. The usual wait for the Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) on the PR application is no longer required first. This is a temporary federal measure that took effect on June 9, 2026.

For those endorsed under the AIP, an employer-specific work permit valid for up to two years may be possible.

A look at Newfoundland and Labrador’s 2026 draws so far

As of this writing, the province has held 18 draws this year. In 14 of them, candidates under both programs were invited. In the remaining four, only NLPNP candidates were selected.

Here is the full breakdown:

As of October 16, the province has sent out 2,952 invitations this year. Of these, 2,555 went to NLPNP candidates and 397 went to AIP candidates.

How the process works, step by step

If you want to move to Newfoundland and Labrador through the NLPNP or AIP, this is the path:

• Make sure you meet the requirements of the AIP or one of the NLPNP streams.
• Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile.
• Wait for an invitation in one of the upcoming draws.
• Apply for nomination or endorsement within 60 days of being invited.
• Receive your nomination or endorsement certificate once you are approved.

After that, you can apply to the federal government for PR.

So who gets picked? The province looks at its own priorities. Having a job in health care helps. So does working outside the big urban centres, or having graduated from a post-secondary school in Newfoundland and Labrador. The province publishes its full EOI prioritization criteria on its immigration website, and it’s worth reading before you build your profile.

Ready to Turn an Invitation Into Your Canadian Dream?

Draws like these show that Newfoundland and Labrador is actively inviting workers, but the process has real deadlines and many moving parts. Miss one step, or submit an incomplete application within that 60-day window, and the opportunity can slip away.

You don’t have to figure it out alone. At Ese Umoh Immigration, we can help you understand where you fit, whether that’s provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, or school admissions.

Newfoundland and Labrador sent out 257 invitations in two draws this October, with most going to NLPNP candidates. If you want to know whether your profile can land one of the next ones, book a consultation here: https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes