NLPNP Launches First EOI Draw, Invites 256 Candidates
Introduction
As of April 2025, Newfoundland and Labrador had its first draw under the newly adopted Expression of Interest (EOI) system. On April 8, 2025, the province released a total of 256 invitations to candidates in two immigration programs:
- Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP): 206 invitations
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): 50 invitations
This draw was a major departure from the earlier first-come, first-served system to a priority-based, strategic selection process. The new EOI system, initiated in February 2025, asks candidates to create a profile describing their skills, work experience, and desire to settle in Newfoundland and Labrador. The province screens these profiles and sends Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to chosen candidates.
Priorities in the April 2025 Draw
- Candidates with permanent employment opportunities in high-priority occupations
- Applicants who are already living in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Candidates with employment opportunities in rural and remote regions
- Post-secondary graduates living in the province
These are the priorities that the province has placed on balancing specific labor market needs and promoting settlement in lower-density areas.
Application Process
- Apply and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Applicants give details regarding their skills, experience, and plans for settlement.
- Get an Invitation to Apply (ITA): Shortlisted applicants are invited to submit an application for nomination under the NLPNP or for endorsement under the AIP.
Processing Timeline and Additional Information
Application processing times under the new system can take up to three months or longer, subject to the number and complexity of applications received.
To get more information on the NLPNP and its categories, you may check the official Newfoundland and Labrador immigration website.
