Maple News reports that Newfoundland and Labrador has successfully negotiated an increase of 1,000 spots in its 2025 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocation, raising the total to 2,050 nominations for the year. The province will also retain its 475 spots under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), bringing its total immigration nomination capacity to 2,525 for 2025.
This marks a significant turnaround after the federal government initially announced a 50% reduction to provincial nominee program targets nationwide for 2025. Before the renegotiation, Newfoundland and Labrador’s allocation was set to drop from 2,050 to just 1,050. The increase comes as part of a new agreement between the province and the federal government, requiring Newfoundland and Labrador to accept 290 humanitarian migrants over the next two years.
To facilitate this commitment, the federal government has pledged to fully fund the relocation, housing, and comprehensive settlement support for these humanitarian arrivals.
In light of the revised nominations, the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) will temporarily pause new application intake for both nomination requests and job vacancy assessments. This pause is in effect until mid-February.
During this suspension, the province will also pause its standard 25-day processing times. However, priority applications—particularly from healthcare and other critical sectors—will still be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
The pause is intended to give the province time to enhance its immigration infrastructure. According to government officials, Newfoundland and Labrador plans to introduce new tools aimed at improving processing efficiency and strengthening the match between skilled immigrants and local labor market needs.
This strategic move underscores the province’s commitment to both economic growth and humanitarian responsibilities. It also demonstrates how provinces can negotiate greater flexibility with federal immigration policy when aligning with national priorities.