The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NL PNP) is a program that allows the province of Newfoundland and Labrador to nominate immigrants based on the needs of the province. There are four categories under the Newfoundland and Labrador PNP:
- Occupational/Skilled Worker
- Immigrant Entrepreneur
- Family Connections
- International Graduate
This category is for applicants who have received a valid job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer who can show the position could not be filled locally, and that the applicant’s skills will have a critical impact on the successful operation of the business. The applicant must have the background (training, education, experience) and credentials that the position requires.
This category is for applicants who wish to start a new business, or purchase all or part of an existing one in Newfoundland and Labrador. Applicants must intend to be self-employed in that business, and first submit a business plan in what is called the Pre-Assessment phase, and can only submit an application from provincial nomination once this business plan has been approved.
The applicant’s intended business activity must be in a business that is expected to grow in a strategic sector. In addition the applicant must show at least five years of experience managing a business, have a minimum net worth of CDN $450,000, of which CDN $350,000 must be in liquid assets, and invest at least CDN $200,000 in the new or existing business. All applicants must make an exploratory visit to the province and be interviewed by the
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment of the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism.
The following sectors are considered Strategic Sectors in Newfoundland and Labrador:
- Biotechnology
- Environmental industries
- Aerospace
- Information technology
- Research and development
- Science and technology
- Manufacturing
- Oil and gas
- Mining
- Agricultural and Agrifoods
- Healthcare
- Tourism: winter/adventure and eco- tourism operations
- Creative and Cultural Industries
- Fisheries: valued-added enterprises or aquaculture
This category is for applicants with close family members who have been living in Newfoundland and Labrador for at least a year and can provide them with settlement assistance. The sponsor must sign an affidavit of support for their relative, and the relative must meet certain age, education and work experience requirements.
Dependent Children, Spouses and Common-Law Partners, Parents and Grandparents cannot be sponsored under the Family Connection Category of the NLPNP. They must instead be sponsored under the Federal Family Class Sponsorship program
Foreign students who have graduated from a post-secondary program at a Newfoundland and Labrador institution may be eligible for a provincial nomination under this category. Students must have received a degree, certificate or diploma from this institution within the 2 years preceding the date of application, and have studied in Newfoundland for at least two years. In addition, students must have received a job offer for a position related to their field of study from an employer in the province.
