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Dear future neighbour,

On September 12, 2025, Newfoundland and Labrador held a large selection round under its provincial immigration programs issuing 353 invitations. The draw focused on two main streams:

Program	Number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued
NLPNP (Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program)	218
AIP (Atlantic Immigration Program)	135

This marks one of the bigger draws this year, especially notable for the larger-than-usual number of AIP invitations.

To put this into perspective:

• Earlier draws tended to issue fewer AIP invitations. For example, on August 29, the province issued 77 AIP invites.
• The NLPNP has been more steady, with many earlier draws issuing 200–350 NLPNP invitations.
• The total number of invitations issued so far in 2025 (up to and including this September 12 draw) stands at:
  • 2,018 via NLPNP
  • 586 via AIP
• Also of note: Newfoundland & Labrador’s total nomination allocation was increased this year. It has more spaces than previously negotiated, an adjustment that allows for more invitations to be issued.

Why this matters

There are several implications and insights from this draw:

1. Greater emphasis on employer-driven immigration: The spike in AIP invitations suggests Newfoundland and Labrador is responding to more immediate labour market needs. Since the AIP requires a job offer and is more directly linked to employer demand, issuing more AIP invites is a signal that employers’ hiring needs are strong.
2. Balancing longer-term planning with urgent needs: NLPNP draws tend to be more about matching broader economic goals (skills, sectors, long-term labour shortages), while AIP can react more quickly to specific employer demands. The mixed draw suggests the province is trying to balance both.
3. More opportunities for candidates: For people interested in immigrating under either stream, this draw increases chances. Especially for those with a job offer, the AIP route may now be more accessible. Likewise, EOI (Expression of Interest) candidates for NLPNP will want to align their profiles with the priority sectors.

What applicants should know & prepare

If you’re considering applying, or have already expressed interest, here are some take-aways:

• Ensure you have a complete EOI profile under NLPNP: since February 2025, Newfoundland and Labrador uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) system.
• If applying under AIP, you generally need a job offer from a designated employer. Also, you may need a settlement plan, language and education/work experience requirements.
• Watch what occupations/sectors are in demand. The province’s labour market priorities are dynamic. Having skills in sectors like healthcare, ICT, aquaculture, etc., may help.
• Monitor draw-timing and size: draws seem fairly regular and growing in size, especially for AIP. Knowing when draws happen and the scale gives you insight into how competitive things may be.

Priority Sectors / Occupations in NLPNP

As of the most recent draws, NLPNP is emphasising certain sectors that are high-priority for the province.

The key priority sectors are:

• Healthcare

• Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

• Aquaculture

Some of the specific in-demand occupations listed under these sectors include (but are not limited to)

• In Healthcare: physicians (various specialities), nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, personal care attendants, psychologists, radiation therapists, etc.

• In Aquaculture / Fisheries: facility technicians, cage site technicians, site managers, feeding/farming managers, etc.

• In Tech: software developers, web developers, infrastructure engineers, UI/UX developers, Python developers, etc.

These lists may change over time with the labour market. Before applying, you should check the current priority occupations on the NL government website.

Eligibility Criteria for NLPNP

Here are the general eligibility requirements for the NLPNP, and then some of the specific stream-by-stream criteria.

General Requirements

• Age: Applicants are usually required to be between 21 and 59 years old.

• Expression of Interest (EOI) system: You must submit an EOI and wait for an invitation to apply (ITA).

• Language proficiency: Usually in English or French, demonstrated via a recognized test. Specific CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) levels vary by stream and job/occupation.

• Job offer: Most streams require a full-time job offer from an eligible NL employer; permanent or long-term. Some streams—like Priority Skills NL—may have more flexibility depending on whether the occupation is in demand.

• Education / Credentials: Post-secondary or trade credentials or equivalent for many skilled jobs; credential assessments may be required if foreign credentials.

• Work experience: Relevant work experience in the occupation, sometimes minimum number of years.

• Settlement funds: Enough money to settle you and dependents in Newfoundland & Labrador.

Stream-Specific Requirements

Below are some of the criteria by NLPNP stream.

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Eligibility Criteria for AIP (Atlantic Immigration Program) in NL

The AIP requirements are federal + provincial in nature. Here are the relevant criteria:

• A valid job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces (NL included). The employer must be “designated” under the AIP.

• The job offer must correspond to a National Occupational Classification (NOC) / TEER category that is acceptable under AIP (usually TEER 0-5 depending on the subcategory).

• Education: Must meet the educational level required for the job offer. If foreign credentials are used, they must be assessed/validated.

• Language ability: Must meet minimum language levels (in English or French) depending on the job’s TEER classification. Tests need to be from designated testing institutions, valid, etc.

• Work experience: Usually you need a certain number of hours (for example ~1,560 hours in the last 5 years) unless you are exempt (e.g. international graduate).

• Settlement plan: You must have a plan (and sometimes proof) of how you and your family will settle in the province. This includes things like housing, finances, etc. NL requires an endorsed settlement plan.

• Proof of funds: Enough money to support yourself and dependents until you are established.

Conclusion

The September 12 draw was significant in Newfoundland and Labrador’s 2025 immigration landscape. The number of invitations, especially via the Atlantic Immigration Program, is among the highest this year. For prospective immigrants, this is a positive sign of growing opportunities, particularly for those with employer support. The province appears to be flexibly using both NLPNP and AIP to meet both strategic and immediate economic needs.

Need help with your Canadian immigration process?

Whether you’re applying for a visitor visa, submitting a work permit or visa application, creating an Expression of Interest (EOI), setting up an Express Entry or Provincial Nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an Invitation to Apply, or simply want a professional review of your self-prepared application, we’re here to assist you.

Schedule a consultation or contact us at:
info@eseumohimmigration.com