Newfoundland and Labrador's Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism (OIM) held immigration draws in two consecutive weeks in October, with most invitations issued through the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP).

The October 9 and 16 draws issued a combined 257 invitations, including 255 through the NLPNP and two through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). Available reporting did not identify the specific provincial nominee streams represented or provide a breakdown of invited candidates by sector or occupation.

Province Holds 18 Draws This Year, with Most Invitations Issued Through the NLPNP

Of the 2,952 invitations issued in 2026 as of October 16, 2,555 were through the NLPNP and 397 through the AIP. Fourteen of the 18 draws invited candidates under both programs, while the remaining four were limited to the NLPNP.

Invitation figures for each round are shown below, with the two October draws combined:

Note: "-" indicates that the round did not include AIP invitations. Figures were compiled and totalled from the supplied reporting. Invitation counts do not represent the number of provincial approvals or permanent residence approvals.

Candidates Must Submit an Expression of Interest Before Applying to the Province Following an Invitation

Foreign nationals seeking to immigrate to the province through the NLPNP or AIP must first meet the eligibility requirements of the relevant program or provincial nominee stream, then submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile and await provincial selection.

According to CIC News, candidates have up to 60 days after receiving an invitation to submit a complete application to the province: NLPNP candidates apply for provincial nomination, while AIP candidates apply for provincial endorsement. Only after their application is approved and they receive the relevant certificate can they proceed to the federal permanent residence application stage. The applicable submission deadline is governed by the invitation letter and the province's requirements in effect at the time.

The province considers labour market and local development needs in its selection process, including whether candidates work in health care, are employed outside major urban centres, or have graduated from a post-secondary institution in Newfoundland and Labrador. These are general selection priorities and do not establish the occupational composition of candidates invited in these draws.

Work Permits Have Separate Eligibility Requirements While Permanent Residence Applications Are Pending

For applicants seeking to continue working while awaiting a permanent residence decision, work permit arrangements differ between the provincial nominee pathway and the AIP.

The original report states that a temporary federal measure that took effect on June 9, 2026, allows certain applicants in Canada who are applying for permanent residence through a non-Express Entry provincial nominee pathway to apply for a bridging open work permit (BOWP) before receiving an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) for their permanent residence application. The official federal text of this measure could not be accessed during this review, and its scope and requirements for alternative supporting documents still need to be verified.

For the AIP, official guidance from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirms that eligible applicants may apply for an employer-specific work permit valid for two years, allowing them to work only for the employer that offered them the job. Applicants must have a qualifying job offer from a designated employer and a referral letter from the relevant Atlantic province, and meet the applicable language, education and work experience requirements. Receiving a temporary work permit does not guarantee approval of a permanent residence application.