Newfoundland and Labrador provincial Immigration Program
1. Skilled Worker Category
This provincial immigration program facilitates permanent immigration visa applications of skilled workers who have the skills that are hard to obtain in Canada and are critically important for the provincial employers. This is an employer driven category of the provincial immigration program. In order to apply for permanent immigration visa under this category, it is essential that the applicant must have a valid full-time and permanent job offer from a provincial employer.
Newfoundland and Labrador’s this category has a couple of unique features as compared to other provinces under which an applicant may be required to visit the province for an interview with the provincial immigration officer before the validation of employment offer. Foreign workers who are already in the province may also be subjected to a similar interview prior to nomination. After the issuance of permanent immigration visa and landing in the province, the skilled worker is required to have a meeting with provincial officials within fourteen days. If the immigration officer considers it appropriate, a temporary work permit may be arranged for the prospective permanent immigration visa applicant to determine his/her capability of settling in the province. For temporary work permit holders who are already working in the province, it is mandatory to have worked for a minimum period of 6 months prior to the submission of application under this category of provincial immigration program.
2. Family Connections Category
Any permanent resident or citizen of Canada who has been living in Newfoundland and Labrador for one year may facilitate the permanent immigration visa application under this category of provincial immigration program of eligible relatives from abroad, provided they are willing to provide them assistance to successfully settle in the province.
A foreign national can apply for permanent immigration visa under this priority stream of provincial immigration program if the applicant:
• Has a close relative in Newfoundland and Labrador who is able and willing to support.
• Is between the ages of 18 and 49.
• Has a full-time permanent job offer from a provincial employer, or intend to find a job in the province.
• Has completed at least one year of post-secondary education.
• Has minimum one year of work experience.
• Must prove enough proficiency in English or French to be job ready in Newfoundland and Labrador which could be affirmed either by the provincial employer’s affidavit, language test result or by attending English as a Secondary Language (ESL) classes.
• Has solid intention of settling in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Has the ability to establish successfully because of family support and employability in Newfoundland and Labrador and sufficient settlement funds amounting at least C$10,000 plus C$2,000 for each accompanying dependent.
Dependent children, spouses, common-law partners, parents and grandparents are not eligible to apply under this category.
3. International Graduate Category
Foreign students who have graduated from a post-secondary Canadian institution can apply for permanent immigration visa under this category of provincial immigration program. The applicants in this category must have established strong ties with the province and have solid intention to permanently settle in the province.
A foreign national can apply for permanent immigration visa under this priority stream of provincial immigration program if the applicant meets the following mandatory requirements:
• Completion of at least half of their post-secondary studies in Canada until graduation from a publicly funded educational institution within last two years of submission of application or during the last semester.
• Duration of Canadian diploma or degree should be more than 2 years; however, one year post-graduate degree or certificate programs also eligible to apply.
• Full time job offer in a related field of study from a provincial employer OR a proven attachment to the provincial job market.
• The job offer must not contravene any collective bargaining agreements or labour dispute.
• Must have a valid Post-Graduate Work Permit.
• Salary and benefits that are part of the job offer must be according to prevailing rates in the province.
• Must prove enough proficiency in English or French to be job ready in Newfoundland and Labrador which could be affirmed either by the provincial employer’s affidavit, or educational documents.