A potentially accelerated path to Canadian permanent residence for provincially nominated candidates, the Express Entry Skilled Worker stream of the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program(NLNP) is open to skilled workers who wish to settle in Newfoundland and Labrador, provided they meet certain eligibility requirements, and hold a guaranteed, full-time job offer.
Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker is aligned with the federal Express Entry system. In order to be considered, candidates must have an active Express Entry profile.
Candidates must have a full-time job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer that meets industry standards. If the job offer is in an occupation that is regulated, the candidate must show proof that they are able to work in that profession. The job offer must be in a position classified as National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, or B. If the foreign worker is currently working in Canada, they must show proof of a valid work permit.
All candidates must provide official language test results demonstrating that they meet the language proficiency claimed on their Express Entry profile.
Candidates must have at least a Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma, or a foreign credential that has been assessed as equivalent to a Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma
Candidates must have at least one year of work experience in the past 10 years in a NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B profession.
Candidates must score at least 67 points on the Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker Points Assessment Grid.
Candidates must meet the settlement funds requirement as determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This can be demonstrated through their own finances, or through maintaining a valid offer of employment.
Candidates must demonstrate an intention to reside in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Employers must offer the foreign national a full-time, permanent position with a salary and benefits package that is on par with provincial norms for the occupation in question.
The business must be established in Newfoundland and Labrador, and have been in operation for at least two (2) years. If the business is located in the St. John’s metropolitan area, the employer must have at least two permanent, full-time local employees. If the business is outside St. John’s, the employer must have at least one permanent, full-time local employee.
The employer will be required to provide proof that they have made a significant effort to employ a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for the position before an offer was extended to the foreign national.
In addition to meeting the above requirements, applicants must also score at least 67 out of a possible 100 on the Points Assessment Grid for the NLNP Express Entry Skilled Worker stream. Applicants will be graded on their connection to the labour market, adaptability, education, work experience, age, and language abilities.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker stream accepts applications at any time. Skilled workers hoping to immigrate to Newfoundland and Labrador must first submit a profile to the federal Express Entry pool. Once a candidate has been accepted into the Federal Express Entry pool and has a job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer, they may submit their application. Successful applicants will receive a nomination from Newfoundland and Labrador.
After accepting the provincial nomination, the applicant’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will increase by 600 points, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw. After receiving an ITA, the applicant must prepare and submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence within the designated time frame. Applications for permanent residence submitted through Express Entry are generally processed within six months.