Newfoundland and Labrador Invites 122 Foreign Nationals to Apply for Provincial Nomination

Newfoundland and Labrador has invited 122 foreign nationals to apply for provincial nomination

through the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP).

The invitations were issued on August 18, 2026, in the province’s latest economic immigration selection round. All 122 invitations were issued through the NLPNP, with no invitations issued through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) in this round.

The latest selection is notable because it was the first Newfoundland and Labrador draw in 2026 to issue invitations exclusively through the NLPNP.

Newfoundland and Labrador's Latest Immigration Draw

The August 18 selection was the province’s 11th immigration draw of 2026.

Category	Details
Draw date	August 18, 2026
Total invitations	122
NLPNP invitations	122
AIP invitations	0
Draw type	Provincial nomination
EOI model	Yes
ITA submission deadline	60 days

The province does not publish which specific NLPNP streams candidates were invited under or which occupations and sectors were represented in the draw.

First 2026 Draw Without Atlantic Immigration Program Invitations

Newfoundland and Labrador’s previous 2026 selection rounds included invitations through both the NLPNP and the Atlantic Immigration Program.

The August 18 draw was different because all 122 invitations went to NLPNP candidates.

This was the first draw of the year in which the province did not issue any AIP invitations.

CIC News reported that it contacted Newfoundland and Labrador regarding the narrower selection criteria used in the latest draw but had not received a response before publication.

Newfoundland and Labrador's 2026 Invitation Activity

The province has conducted several immigration selections throughout 2026.

Date	Total Invitations	NLPNP	AIP
March 6, 2026	445	362	83
March 30, 2026	245	209	36
April 13, 2026	210	177	33
May 1, 2026	190	157	33
May 11, 2026	186	168	18
May 28, 2026	103	84	19
June 10, 2026	108	89	19
July 10, 2026	57	17	40
July 28, 2026	445	400	45
August 10, 2026	208	186	22
August 18, 2026	122	122	0

According to the province’s official invitation records, Newfoundland and Labrador had issued 1,849 NLPNP invitations and 348 AIP invitations between January 1 and August 18, 2026, for a combined total of 2,197 invitations.

Approximately 85% of these invitations were issued through the NLPNP.

What Is the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program?

The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program is an economic immigration pathway for foreign nationals who can contribute to the province’s economy and intend to settle permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador. Successful provincial nominees may subsequently apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence.

The NLPNP includes pathways for different categories of skilled workers and other eligible applicants, including an Express Entry-linked Skilled Worker pathway. The province determines which candidates to invite based on its current immigration priorities and available nomination spaces.

Newfoundland and Labrador Uses an Expression of Interest System

Newfoundland and Labrador introduced its Expression of Interest (EOI) model in February 2025 for economic immigration applications. Under this system, prospective applicants first submit an EOI through the Immigration Accelerator Portal. The EOI collects information such as:

Occupation.
Education.
Employment.
Language proficiency.
Intention to reside in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Other information relevant to provincial priorities.

The Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism (OIM) reviews EOIs and periodically issues Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to selected candidates.

Who Can Be Prioritized?

Newfoundland and Labrador does not publish the specific occupations or sectors represented in every individual draw. However, the province states that its EOI prioritization process can consider factors such as:

Employment in healthcare.
Employment outside major urban centres.
French-language proficiency.
Graduation from a post-secondary institution in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Other evolving provincial labour-market and economic priorities.

Therefore, an applicant’s occupation and overall profile can influence whether their EOI is selected.

Job Offer Generally Required

For most NLPNP candidates, having a valid job or job offer from an eligible Newfoundland and Labrador employer is an important requirement. The province’s EOI guidance states that candidates pursuing the NLPNP or AIP generally need a job or job offer from an employer in the province to be considered for an ITA.

There are exceptions for certain entrepreneur pathways. Candidates should therefore review the specific requirements of the NLPNP stream that applies to their circumstances.

What Happens After Receiving an Invitation?

Receiving an ITA allows a candidate to move from the EOI stage to the full provincial nomination application. Invited candidates have 60 days to submit a complete application through the Immigration Accelerator Portal. The general process is:

Submit an EOI through the Immigration Accelerator Portal.
Wait for the province to assess the EOI.
Receive an ITA if selected.
Submit the complete NLPNP application within 60 days.
Receive a provincial nomination if the application is approved.
Submit the permanent residence application to the federal government.
Complete federal eligibility and admissibility assessments.
Receive permanent residence if the federal application is approved.

An ITA does not guarantee approval of the provincial nomination application. The applicant must still meet all applicable program requirements.

Express Entry Applicants

Newfoundland and Labrador also operates an NLPNP Express Entry – Skilled Worker Category. This pathway is designed for highly skilled applicants who are already eligible for the federal Express Entry system.

A provincial nomination can significantly increase an Express Entry candidate’s ranking score and may lead to an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence from IRCC. Applicants must still meet the requirements of both the provincial pathway and the applicable federal immigration program.

How Long Does an EOI Remain Valid?

An EOI remains valid for 12 months after submission. If the candidate does not receive an ITA during that period, the EOI expires.

The applicant must then submit a new EOI if they want to remain under consideration for future selections. The province does not provide a guaranteed timeline for when an EOI will be selected.

What Happens After a Provincial Nomination?

A provincial nomination is an important step toward Canadian permanent residence, but it is not the final immigration decision. After receiving a nomination, the candidate must submit an application for permanent residence to the federal government.

The federal government assesses matters such as eligibility and admissibility before making a final decision. Applicants should ensure that the information provided in both the provincial and federal applications is accurate and supported by appropriate documentation.

Provincial Nomination Does Not Guarantee Permanent Residence

A provincial nomination is an important step toward Canadian permanent residence, but it is not the final immigration decision. After receiving a nomination, the candidate must submit a permanent residence application to the federal government.

The federal government conducts its own assessment, including applicable eligibility and admissibility requirements. Only after the federal application is approved can the applicant become a Canadian permanent resident.

What the Latest Draw Means for Applicants

The August 18 selection demonstrates that Newfoundland and Labrador continues to manage its economic immigration intake through targeted, priority-based EOI selections. The fact that all 122 invitations were issued through the NLPNP does not mean future draws will follow the same pattern.

The province can adjust its selection priorities depending on labour-market needs, available immigration spaces, and other economic or demographic considerations. Candidates should therefore avoid relying on previous invitation numbers alone when assessing their chances of receiving an ITA.

Key Takeaways

Newfoundland and Labrador’s latest immigration draw highlights several important developments:

The province issued 122 invitations on August 18, 2026.
All 122 invitations were issued through the NLPNP.
No AIP invitations were issued in this round.
It was the province’s 11th draw of 2026.
It was the first 2026 draw to exclude AIP candidates completely.
Newfoundland and Labrador had issued 1,849 NLPNP invitations and 348 AIP invitations from January 1 through August 18.
The province had issued 2,197 total invitations across the two programs during that period.
The EOI model was introduced in February 2025.
Candidates submit EOIs through the Immigration Accelerator Portal.
Most candidates need a valid job or job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer.
The province may prioritize candidates based on factors including healthcare employment, regional employment, French-language ability and local post-secondary education.
Invited candidates have 60 days to submit a complete application.
EOIs remain valid for 12 months.
A provincial nomination does not automatically guarantee Canadian permanent residence.

Start Your Canada Immigration Journey Today!

If you are considering immigration through the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program, understanding the province’s EOI system, selection priorities and nomination requirements can help you evaluate your options. Canada Immigration Global provides guidance for individuals and families exploring Canadian immigration pathways, including Provincial Nominee Programs, Express Entry, Work Permits, Study Permits, Family Sponsorship and Canadian Permanent Residence.

Our experienced immigration professionals provide personalized eligibility assessments, document guidance, and end-to-end application support to help you navigate Canada’s immigration system with confidence.

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Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration programs, processing times, eligibility requirements, and application procedures may change without notice. Readers should consult official Government of Canada resources or seek professional immigration advice before making any immigration decisions.