Newfoundland and Labrador have recently overhauled their immigration application process by introducing an Expression of Interest (EOI) system for the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). This change, effective February 19, 2025, aims to better align immigration with the province’s labor market needs.
In addition to this procedural shift, Newfoundland and Labrador have successfully negotiated an increase of 1,000 nominations for their 2025 Provincial Nominee Program, bringing the total to 2,525 nominations for the year. This development underscores the province’s commitment to attracting skilled immigrants to bolster its workforce.
Understanding the New EOI System
The EOI system replaces the previous first-come, first-served approach with a more strategic two-step process:
- Submission of an Expression of Interest: Prospective immigrants submit a concise form detailing their occupation, education, language proficiency, and intent to reside in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Invitation to Apply: The province reviews these EOIs and invites candidates who best meet current labor market demands to submit a full application for either the NLPNP or AIP.
This method allows the province to prioritize applicants with skills in high-demand sectors, such as healthcare and education.
Impact on Existing Applications
Applicants who submitted their applications before the EOI system’s implementation will have their submissions reviewed individually. Some may advance directly to the application stage, while others might be returned to the EOI pool for reassessment. The province will communicate directly with these applicants regarding their status.
Updates to the NLPNP
In addition to the EOI system, Newfoundland and Labrador have made other significant adjustments to their immigration programs:
- Increased Nomination Allocations: The province successfully negotiated an increase of 1,000 nominations for 2025, bringing the total to 2,525. This includes maintaining 475 spaces under the AIP.
- Temporary Pause on Application Intake: To facilitate the transition to the new EOI model and develop tools for streamlined processing, the province temporarily paused the intake of new applications and job vacancy assessments until mid-February 2025.
These changes reflect Newfoundland and Labrador’s proactive approach to refining their immigration strategies, ensuring that the selection process aligns with the province’s economic needs and effectively addresses critical labor shortages.
