Newfoundland and Labrador has received approval to nominate more foreign workers for Canadian permanent residence in 2026.
The federal government has approved an additional 1,000 nomination spaces for the province, allowing it to support more workers and employers facing labour shortages.
According to the provincial Department of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development, the increase will help address workforce and population needs, particularly in rural communities and sectors such as healthcare, education, and social support.
Province Receives More Nomination Spaces
The additional spaces have been allocated to the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP).
The province’s annual allocation under the program has increased to 2,379 nomination spaces.
Foreign nationals who receive a provincial nomination can apply to the federal government for permanent residence.
After submitting their permanent residence application, provincial nominees may also qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).
A temporary federal measure introduced on June 9 allows certain base Provincial Nominee Program applicants to apply for a bridging work permit without first receiving an Acknowledgement of Receipt for their permanent residence application.
However, Newfoundland and Labrador has not received additional spaces under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). Its annual allocation remains unchanged at 475.
Well, the AIP offers eligible foreign nationals an employer-specific work permit for up to two years while they pursue permanent residence. Applicants under this program cannot apply for bridging open work permits.
Across both programs, the province’s total allocation for 2026 has increased to 2,854 spaces, compared with 2,525 in 2025.
Other Canadian jurisdictions, including Alberta, British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories, have also received additional nomination spaces for 2026.
How Does The Province Select Skilled Workers?
Foreign nationals must meet the requirements of a provincial immigration pathway before they can receive a nomination or endorsement.
A job offer is generally required under both the NLPNP and the AIP, except for entrepreneur streams under the provincial nominee program.
The selection process involves several steps:
- Meet the eligibility requirements for the chosen immigration pathway.
- Create an online Expression of Interest (EOI) profile and enter the candidate pool.
- Receive an invitation to apply from the province.
- Submit a complete nomination or endorsement application within 60 days.
- Receive a provincial nomination or endorsement certificate before applying for permanent residence federally.
Under the NLPNP, candidates submit their own nomination applications. Under the AIP, the employer is responsible for submitting the endorsement application.
The federal allocation determines how many certificates a province can issue during the year. It is separate from invitations to apply, which may be issued months earlier.
Provincial Invitations And Selection Priorities
As of September 10, Newfoundland and Labrador had invited 2,198 candidates to apply for provincial nomination through the NLPNP.
The province had also invited 394 candidates to apply for endorsement through the AIP.
The province publishes selection priorities through its Expression of Interest Model Prioritization Criteria. These priorities may change throughout the year based on labour market needs and available nomination spaces.
However, the province does not publish detailed information about the immigration streams or employment sectors targeted in individual invitation rounds.
Each EOI profile remains active in the candidate pool for 12 months. Candidates who do not receive an invitation during that period must submit a new profile to remain eligible for future selection.
Permanent Residence Application Waits
The following table shows the federal government’s estimated application wait times for selected permanent residence categories, as reported on September 4.
| Application Type | Estimated Wait (September 4) |
| Base PNP | 13 months |
| Enhanced PNP | 7 months |
| AIP | 26 months |
The additional nomination spaces give Newfoundland and Labrador greater flexibility to select skilled workers and support employers experiencing labour shortages.
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