Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker


The NL Express Entry Skilled Worker category provides a path to immigration for skilled candidates with job offers whereby individuals receive NLPNP nominations, which are processed through the federal Express Entry immigration selection system.

Prospective immigrants who have been accepted into the federal Express Entry pool may be able to apply to the NL Express Entry Skilled Worker category if they have a job offer in Newfoundland and genuinely intend to reside permanently in the province. Individuals nominated by the NLPNP will receive additional points under the Comprehensive Ranking System, resulting in an Invitation to Apply for Canadian permanent residence. The federal government has stated that it will process the majority of Express Entry applications in six months or less, making this a much faster immigration option than previously available.

This page will provide details on the following topics:

Minimum Requirements for Applicants

In order to be eligible under this category, candidates must:

  • Be accepted into Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry pool and have a valid Express Entry key code;
  • Have a full-time job or job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer. The job or job offer must be at the National Occupational Classification (NOC) level 0, A, or B;
    • The job offer must not contravene existing bargaining unit agreements or interfere with a labour dispute;
  • Have a valid work permit or be entitled to apply for one;
  • Have a Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma, or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from an agency approved by IRCC;
    • The ECA verifies that the candidate's foreign education is equal to Canadian education standards.
  • Must demonstrate a minimum level of work experience based on the profession:
    • Have a minimum of at least one year (1,560 hours total / 30 hours per week) paid work experience (volunteer work and unpaid internships are not considered), within the last 10 years, under NOC 0, A or B; and
    • Have at least one year of paid work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled profession (non-trades); or
    • Have at least two years of paid work experience in a skilled trade within the past five years; or
    • Have at least two years of paid work experience in a skilled trade within the past five years.
  • Submit proof of eligibility for provincial licensure or certification (if applicable),
  • Demonstrate the genuine intention and ability to settle permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador;
  • Provide satisfactory language test results from a designated testing agency;
  • Score a minimum of 67 points out of 100 on the PNP point assessment grid (found below); and
  • Show proof of sufficient settlement funds or financial resources to successfully establish themselves and any dependents in the province. The required amount of funds varies depending on family size according to the following table:
Number of family membersFunds required
1$11,931
2$14,853
3$18,260
4$22,170
5$25,145
6$28,359
7 or more$31,574

Points Assessment Grid

Potential candidates must score at minimum 60 out of 100 points on a points assessment grid that measures five factors: education and training, skilled work experience language ability, age, and connection(s) to the province's labour market and adaptability.

Selection factorPoints
Education and trainingMaximum 28 points
Skilled work experienceMaximum 20 points
Language abilityMaximum 27 points
AgeMaximum 12 points
Connection(s) to the Newfoundland and Labrador labour market and adaptabilityMaximum 13 points
TotalMaximum 100 points
Pass mark:67 Points

Factor 1: Education and Training

Candidates are required to have, at the minimum, a degree, diploma, or certificate that required the completion of at least one year of full-time post-secondary study. An ECA is used to verify that the candidate's foreign degree, diploma, certificate (or other proof of credentials) is valid and equal to a completed credential in Canada and will indicate the authenticity of the foreign educational credential(s).

The applicant’s education points are calculated based on documented proof of completed post-secondary education and/or training programs from nationally or provincially recognized institutions/regulatory bodies. Therefore, applicants are required to submit copies of any pertinent diplomas, certificates or degrees for education or training along with complete transcripts.

EducationPoints
Master's or Doctorate degree (PhD)28
University Degree that required at least three years of full-time study23
Trade certification equivalent to journeyperson status in Newfoundland and Labrador (Approval by the Department of Advanced Education and Skills is required)23
Degree, diploma or certificate that required at least two years of full-time post-secondary study, or certificate equivalent18
Degree, diploma or certificate that required at least one year of full-time post-secondary study, or certificate equivalent to a trade certificate15
Less than one year of post-secondary studyIneligible

Factor 2: Skilled Work Experience

Candidates are required to have skilled work experience in a NOC 0, A, or B occupation. The minimum requirement varies according to the candidate's field of education or training:

  • At least one year of work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled profession (non-trades); OR
  • At least two years of work experience in a skilled trade within the past five years; OR
  • At least one year of skilled work experience in Canada in the past three years (trades and nontrades).

Points are calculated according to documented proof of skilled work experience within the 10 most recent years prior to application. Applicants are rewarded three points for each year worked in the most recent five years, and an additional point for each year from the six to 10 year period prior to applying, up to a maximum of 15 points. Documentation must include:

  • A letter of reference from the supervisor or human resources officer for each work experience included in the application. Letters of reference must be printed on company letterhead and must state the job title, job duties, wage, and length of employment.
  • The applicant’s official work book; OR
  • Other official government documentation.

Individuals with work experience in a regulated occupation that requires mandatory certification or licensing are required to show proof of eligibility for provincial licensure in Newfoundland and Labrador to be able to work in that profession prior to applying to the NLPNP.

Experience in the five most recent years prior to applicationPoints
5 years15
4 years12
3 years9
2 years6
1 year3
Experience in the six to 10-year period prior to applicationPoints
5 years7
4 years6
3 years5
2 years4
1 year2

Factor 3: Language Ability

Candidates are awarded a maximum of 27 points for their language abilities in either English or French — candidates are advised to choose the language they are most comfortable with. Points are calculated based on valid language test results from a designated testing agency. The test results must match the language level the candidate declared in his or her Express Entry profile.

NLPNP-approved language tests include the following:

“CLB” refers to Canadian Language Benchmarks.

First official languagePoints
CLB level 8 or higher27
CLB level 723
CLB level 621
CLB level 519

Factor 4: Age

Candidates are awarded points based on their age on the date of application to the NLPNP.

AgePoints
Younger than 18 years0
18-21 years8
22-33 years12
34-4510
46-508
Older than 50 years0

Factor 5: Connection to Labour Market and Adaptability

Applicants are awarded points based on documented proof of their strong connection to Newfoundland and their genuine intention and ability to settle and economically establish in the province. If candidates will be accompanied by a spouse or common-law partner, he or she can earn points under this factor as well. However, candidates cannot claim points for a spouse who is a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident.

AdaptabilityPoints

Close relative in Newfoundland and Labrador

The applicant or accompanying spouse has a close relative that is a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident residing in Newfoundland and Labrador, which includes parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, cousin and step-family members or in-laws of the same relationships.

7

Previous work experience in Newfoundland and Labrador (principal applicant only)

The applicant worked in Newfoundland and Labrador for at least twelve months in the past five years on a valid work permit.

3

Previous student experience in Newfoundland and Labrador (principal applicant only)

The applicant studied at a recognized Newfoundland and Labrador educational institution for at least one full-time academic year on a valid study permit.

3

Minimum Requirements for Employers

Employers supporting an application under the NL Express Entry Skilled Worker category must meet the employer criteria specified by the NLPNP.

Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker Application Process

Step 1: Federal Express Entry Profile

Foreign nationals interested in applying under the Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker category must have an active profile in the federal government's Express Entry system. To create an Express Entry profile, foreign nationals must first meet the eligibility requirements of one of the three programs managed by the system: the Federal Skilled Worker ClassFederal Skilled Trades Class, and Canadian Experience Class.

Step 2: Application to the NLPNP

Potential applicants to the NLPNP must retrieve and photocopy all required supporting documents included the application. The NLPNP requires future applicants to keep copies of forms submitted to IRCC and to notarize all photocopies of original documents.

The Government of Newfoundland will find individuals who have provided false information inadmissible to the province and they may be prohibited from applying to the NLPNP for five years. Along with the complete application package, the applicant must include a $250 non-refundable application fee payable to the NLPNP.

Step 3: Provincial Nomination from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

If an applicant successfully obtains a provincial nomination from the NLPNP, a nomination letter will be issued to the applicant outlining the next steps leading to a Canadian permanent residence application. Following the issuance of a provincial nomination, applicants will have 30 days to accept the nomination in the Express Entry system.

As a result of the nomination, the applicant is awarded 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points in the Express Entry system. With the additional points, the applicant is more likely to obtain an Invitation To Apply (ITA) for a Canadian permanent residence from IRCC in a future Express Entry invitation round.

Applicants will have 60 days to submit a permanent residence application to IRCC, including all the required documents.

Who is not eligible for the Express Entry Skilled Worker Category

Candidates are considered ineligible under the NL Express Entry Skilled Worker category if they:

  • Have not been accepted into the Express Entry pool;
  • Did not obtain a score of at least 67 out of 100 points on the Point Assessment Grid;
  • Are refugee claimants in Canada or failed refugee claimants;
  • Fail to submit documentation as requested by PNP staff;
  • Fail to establish that their intent to live and work in Newfoundland and Labrador is genuine;
  • Fail to demonstrate the ability to become economically established;
  • Have a criminal record (or any dependent family member over the age of 18, whether or not the family member is accompanying the candidate)
  • Have unresolved custody or child support disputes. These issues must be resolved prior to starting the immigration application process; or
  • Have intentionally misrepresented information in the application. Any activity potentially constituting fraud will be investigated and may result in criminal proceedings.