Maple News reports that Newfoundland and Labrador is introducing a new immigration pathway aimed at attracting highly educated and experienced professionals to meet growing labor market needs. The province’s new Priority Skills Newfoundland and Labrador program will start accepting applications on January 2.
Designed to support sectors with critical talent gaps, such as technology, ocean sciences, aquaculture, and healthcare, the program targets individuals with advanced degrees or specialized work experience. Specifically, applicants must either have at least one year of experience in a high-demand skilled occupation or have completed a Master’s or Doctorate degree at Memorial University within the past three years.
The initiative is part of the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) and will follow an Expression of Interest (EOI) format. Interested candidates must submit an online profile to indicate their qualifications and interest. Those scoring above 60 points in the EOI process may be visible to local employers registered with the province’s Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism.
If selected, candidates will receive an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination under either the Skilled Worker or Express Entry Skilled Worker streams. This nomination serves as a critical step toward applying for permanent residence through the federal immigration system.
The program highlights the province’s commitment to long-term talent retention and economic development. “Newfoundland and Labrador invests a great deal of time, effort, and money to attract newcomers to our shores,” said Gerry Byrne, the provincial Minister of Immigration. “Driven by the leadership of the premier, our government is now investing to assist more highly-skilled, highly educated newcomers to stay, right here, and go on to have full careers and raise families throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Through its immigration strategies, Newfoundland and Labrador aims to welcome 2,500 new permanent residents annually by the year 2022, even under special pandemic-related guidelines. As labor shortages remain a concern, this new stream is expected to help the province align its immigration efforts with employer demands and future economic planning.
More detailed information, including eligible occupations and application procedures, will be published on the provincial government’s website when the program officially launches in January.
Maple News will continue to track updates on this program and other key developments within Canada’s provincial nominee systems.