The NLPNP Express Entry – Skilled Worker Category is an expedited permanent residence pathway for highly skilled applicants. Applicants must first be accepted into Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry pool of qualified candidates. A nomination from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will boost the applicant’s score in the Express Entry pool, thereby triggering an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence from IRCC.
Applicants may apply to the Express Entry Skilled Worker Category if they reside outside of Canada and have been offered a job by a Newfoundland and Labrador employer.
Requirements to qualify for EE
Applicants must be accepted into Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry pool.
To confirm registration in the Express Entry pool, applicants are required to provide their Express Entry Profile Number (E plus nine digits).
Applicants must also obtain a job seeker validation code (four digits) from IRCC.
Age
Language
The principal applicant must have a valid English or French language proficiency test. The test must be valid for the duration of the application processing period and for the submission of the permanent residence application. The minimum required scores on the language proficiency test depend on the specific federal Express Entry stream (Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program or Federal Skilled Trades Program), and are determined based on requirements of the Government of Canada.
Work/Business Experience
- Have the qualifications, training, skills, and/or accreditation required for the job. Applicants must demonstrate they meet the NOC code employment requirements. NLPNP Express Entry – Skilled Worker applicants must provide documentation for all work experience declared in IRCC’s Express Entry pool;
- If work experience is in an occupation that is regulated in Newfoundland and Labrador and requires mandatory certification or licensing in the province, proof of eligibility for provincial licensure or certification to be able to work in that profession must be submitted with the PNP application.
Work Permit / Temporary Permits
If residing in Canada: demonstrate valid immigration status. Applicants residing in Canada must have a permit with at least four (4) months remaining at time of NLPNP application. Post-graduation work permit holders can qualify for this category;
Job Offer
You must have a full-time job or job offer:
- In a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation;
- With an employer that has a valid JVA (only required if the applicant does not have a valid work permit or alternate federal authorization to work in the identified position);
- That guarantees a minimum of thirty (30) hours per week for the applicant;
- From an eligible Newfoundland and Labrador employer;
- That meets provincial employment standards; and,
- That meets regional prevailing wage rates, or, if regional data is not currently available, must meet provincial or national prevailing wage rates (as assessed by OIM).
- If the applicant has an ownership stake in the business in which they are employed, the applicant’s share of ownership cannot exceed ten (10) per cent. This is not applicable to selected Entrepreneurs.
That is at least one (1) year (twelve months) in duration, with a resonable expectation of extension at the time of NLPNP application (as verified by the employer). The Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism may consider applications from applicants who do not satisfy this requirement, if there are extenuating circumstances and provided the criteria here is met;
Wage or Salary
Pay mentioned in the job offer should be in the form of a salary and benefits package that meets provincial employment standards and prevailing wage rates.
Employer Eligibility
The employer must demonstrate that they have made a genuine effort to recruit qualifi ed Canadians or permanent residents before the job offer is extended to an international worker.
Employers must meet the following requirements in order for an employee’s position to be considered under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP):
- ESTABLISHED AND OPERATING IN NL
- The employer must be permanently established in Newfoundland and Labrador, as defined by the federal Income Tax Act.
- The employer must have operated in Newfoundland and Labrador, under current management, for at least two (2) consecutive years. In exceptional circumstances, the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism (OIM) may accept applications where the employer has been operating under current management for at least one (1) year. Some exceptions include:
new business opened following closure/sale of previous successful business
business engaged with innovation/export markets business located in rural region of Newfoundland and Labrador. - EMPLOYS PERMANENT, FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES
- If the business is located within the St. John’s census metropolitan area, then the employer must have at least two (2) permanent, full-time local employees in the staff complement.
- If the business is located outside of the St. John’s census metropolitan area, then the employer must have at least one (1) permanent full-time local employee in the staff implement.
- If the applicant has an ownership stake in the business, then the applicant’s share of ownership cannot exceed 10%.
- HAS A HISTORY OF SOUND WORKPLACE AND BUSINESS PRACTICES
- THE JOB OFFER MEETS APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS
- RECRUITMENT EFFORTS BY THE EMPLOYER
- AUTHORIZATION TO HIRE A FOREIGN WORKER
- PUBLIC SECTOR AND NON-PROFIT EMPLOYERS
The NLPNP also accepts applications from individuals who are employed by the following public sector and non-profit organizations that are permanently established in Newfoundland and Labrador:
- provincial and regional health care authorities and agencies,
- public post-secondary education and training institutions,
- provincial/federal/municipal government organizations and agencies; and
- other non-profit groups registered as charitable organizations and incorporated under Part XXI (21) of the Corporations Act RSNL 1990,c C-36, or the Canada Corporations Act RSC 1970,c.C-32, and in good standing.
- INELIGIBLE EMPLOYERS
- EMPLOYER INTERVIEWS
The employer must demonstrate that sufficient recruitment efforts have been made to hire Canadian citizens or permanent residents before offering the vacant position to the foreign worker.
The employer must provide proof of authorization to hire a foreign worker by showing either the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), evidence of the LMIA exemption, or results of the approved Job Vacancy Assessment (JVA).
In addition, a non-profit organization must demonstrate the financial ability and stability to support the position on a long-term basis.
The OIM will not accept applications from individuals who are employed in businesses that by association would tend to bring the NLPNP or the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador into disrepute.
An employer interview will be conducted by a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Specialist.
Eligible NOC TEER Categories
TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation
Adaptability / Accompanying members
Intention to live in Province
Have the intention and ability to settle permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador with accompanying family members, if applicable.
Funds
Applicants must Have sufficient settlement funds and financial resources to successfully establish themselves and any dependents in Newfoundland and Labrador:
All applicants must demonstrate they will be able to afford the cost of living, travel expenses, Federal Government permanent residence fees, accommodations and other incidental fees in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Applicants who are already in the province are still expected to demonstrate their ability to economically establish long-term. A number of factors are taken into consideration by the IPDO when making a determination on whether a primary applicant has demonstrated the ability to economically establish long-term, including: family size, expected relocation costs, savings, other assets, liabilities and expected salary.
Below is the minimum required funds (in Canadian dollars), applicable beginning April 25, 2023. Express Entry profile holders must update their profiles before this date.
| Family Size | Required Funds (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 13,757 |
| 2 | 17,127 |
| 3 | 21,055 |
| 4 | 25,564 |
| 5 | 28,994 |
| 6 | 32,700 |
| 7 | 36,407 |
| For every extra family member | 3,706 |
Ineligibility
Applicants are not eligible for the NLPNP Express Entry – Skilled Worker category if:
- They do not have a valid profile in the IRCC Express Entry pool;
- They (or any of their dependent family members over the age of 18) have a criminal record;
- They have unresolved custody or child support disputes in Canada or another country;
- They have intentionally misrepresented themselves in the application;
- Their employer has intentionally misrepresented themselves or the individual in relation to either parties’ role in the business; and/or,
- They are an in-Canada refugee claimant. The open work permit granted to the individual while they await the result of their refugee claim does not give the temporary status that is required to apply to the NLPNP or AIP from within Canada.
- Refugee claimants whose claim has been rejected, abandoned, or withdrawn must exit Canada prior to applying to the NLPNP, as required by the Government of Canada.
Application Period
Upon receipt of a complete application for the NLPNP Express Entry – Skilled Worker category, OIM aims to notify the applicant of a decision within 25 business days.
Application Fee
There is no fee to apply to the NLPNP Express Entry – Skilled Worker category.
Submission of Application
An applicant who meets eligibility criteria can prepare and submit a complete application following these steps:
- Step 1:
- Step 2:
- Step 3:
- Step 4:
- Step 5:
- Step 6:
- Step 7:
- Step 8:
- Step 9:
Print the Application Guide for the Express Entry Skilled Worker Category.
Read the instructions in the Application Guide before completing the application.
Download and print all the required forms located online at www.nlpnp.ca/expressentry.html
Obtain and photocopy all the required supporting documents. Ensure that all photocopies are notarized
as true copies of the original documents. For further information on supporting documents, please see
the Supporting Documentation section of the Application Guide (Annex B).
Read and complete all required forms. Make two photocopies of the Federal Government forms. Keep
the original Federal Government form for future immigration application submission and send the copies
along with the PNP application.
Review and organize the completed forms and supporting documents as outlined in the PNP Document
Checklist. This will help ensure that the application package is complete.
Photocopy all completed forms and supporting documents, and keep a copy of all documents for your
own records.
Prepare a cheque or bank draft for the sum of $250.00 CAD payable to “Newfoundland Exchequer”.
Please note this application fee is non-refundable.
Mail the original forms and notarized photocopies of supporting documents to:
ATTENTION: PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM
Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism
Department of Advanced Education and Skills
Government of Newfoundland & Labrador
P.O. Box 8700,
St. John’s,NL
A1B 4J6
Link to portal to submit application
Maximum points required
minimum of 67 points out of 100 points