Newfoundland and Labrador has staged one of its most notable immigration selection rounds of the year, signaling the province’s commitment to attracting skilled newcomers through its key economic immigration programs. The latest draw demonstrates rising momentum as Canada prepares for significantly higher provincial nominee admissions in 2026.
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Strong Combined Intake Across Two Provincial Pathways
The province issued 330 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) this week through both the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). This combined selection makes it one of the most active draws held by the province in recent months.
According to the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism (OIM), the bulk of invitations- 220 of them- were issued under the NLPNP, while the remaining 110 went to AIP candidates. This aligns with the province’s strategy of prioritizing NLPNP applicants to address local labour shortages more directly.
Latest Invitation Distribution
| Program | Invitations Issued |
| NLPNP | 220 |
| AIP | 110 |
This is the strongest NLPNP draw since mid-summer and marks a return to higher invitation activity for AIP as well. As in previous rounds, the province did not reveal which specific NLPNP categories were used to select candidates.
So far in 2025, Newfoundland and Labrador has carried out 13 draws across these two immigration pathways.
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2025 Invitation Totals and Annual Allocation Overview
With the latest draw included, the province’s year-to-date invitation figures now stand at:
| Program | Total ITAs in 2025 |
| NLPNP | 2,473 |
| AIP | 990 |
These invitation levels reflect strong utilization of the province’s annual nomination allocation of 2,525, which is split between:
- 2,050 nominations assigned to the NLPNP
- 475 nominations allotted to the AIP
The number of invitations regularly exceeds the number of available nominations because not all candidates choose to apply or qualify after assessment. This ensures Newfoundland and Labrador can maximize its federal quota while maintaining selection flexibility.
Earlier this year, the province successfully negotiated a significant expansion of its NLPNP nomination allotment- doubling its initial allocation of 1,050 due to strong candidate demand and workforce needs.
Federal Plans for 2026 Suggest Larger Quotas Ahead
Canada’s immigration plan for 2026 projects a substantial increase in admissions through Provincial Nominee Programs. The federal target is set at 91,500 PNP admissions, a sharp rise from the 55,000 targeted for 2025, representing a 66% increase.
With a national shift toward greater reliance on provincial immigration, Newfoundland and Labrador is expected to receive a higher share of nomination spaces next year. This would enable the province to attract more skilled workers, expand its economic development efforts, and address long-term demographic challenges.
The exact number of nomination spaces for each province in 2026 has not yet been released.
Pathway to Permanent Residence for Selected Candidates
Individuals who receive an invitation through this draw may now submit a complete application to the province. Approved applicants will then obtain a provincial nomination, which can lead to permanent residence either:
- directly through IRCC, or
- through the federal Express Entry system if the nomination is tied to an Express Entry-aligned NLPNP stream.
The province’s strong start to late-year immigration activity suggests an ongoing focus on workforce development and population growth through targeted immigration.
