Newfoundland and Labrador has issued 41 invitations to workers who now have the opportunity to move forward with a provincial nomination application for Canadian permanent residence.
The latest selection round took place on September 25, 2026, marking the province’s 16th provincial immigration selection round of the year.
But here’s what applicants need to know:
This wasn’t a massive draw.
Only 41 NLPNP invitations were issued, and no Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) candidates were invited in this round.
So why should prospective immigrants care?
Because Newfoundland and Labrador is continuing to make targeted selections while using factors such as healthcare employment, employment outside major urban centres, and local education to help determine its selection priorities.
If you’re considering the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program, here’s what the latest draw actually means.
Newfoundland and Labrador Immigration Draw at a Glance
The September 25 selection included:
| Category | Invitations |
|---|---|
| NLPNP | 41 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 0 |
| Total | 41 |
The province did not disclose the specific NLPNP streams, occupations, sectors or candidate profiles represented among the 41 invitees.
That’s important.
It means applicants shouldn’t look at this draw and assume that a particular occupation or stream definitely received invitations.
The province simply reported that 41 workers were selected to move forward.
Newfoundland and Labrador Has Issued 2,695 Invitations in 2026
The latest draw brings the province’s total provincial immigration invitations for 2026 to 2,695 as of September 25.
That includes:
- 2,300 NLPNP invitations
- 395 AIP invitations
The numbers show that the province has been actively using both the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program and the Atlantic Immigration Program throughout the year.
However, the balance between the two programs has changed from draw to draw.
And that’s something applicants should watch closely.
No AIP Invitations in This Round
The September 25 draw did not include any Atlantic Immigration Program invitations.
This was the fourth AIP-free selection round of 2026, continuing a pattern that became more noticeable later in the year.
For candidates targeting Atlantic Canada, this is an important distinction.
The AIP and NLPNP are separate immigration programs, even though both can ultimately support a permanent residence application.
So if you’re waiting for an AIP opportunity, don’t automatically assume that an NLPNP draw means AIP candidates were also selected.
They weren’t in this round.
Newfoundland and Labrador’s Recent Immigration Draws Have Varied Widely
One of the biggest lessons from the province’s 2026 selection history is that invitation numbers can change dramatically.
Recent NLPNP selections included:
| Draw Date | NLPNP Invitations | AIP Invitations |
|---|---|---|
| September 25 | 41 | 0 |
| September 18 | 61 | 1 |
| September 10 | 36 | 0 |
| September 4 | 97 | 0 |
| August 26 | 94 | 46 |
| August 18 | 122 | 0 |
| August 10 | 186 | 22 |
| July 28 | 400 | 45 |
| July 10 | 17 | 40 |
| June 10 | 89 | 19 |
| May 28 | 84 | 19 |
| May 11 | 168 | 18 |
| May 1 | 157 | 33 |
| April 13 | 177 | 33 |
| March 30 | 209 | 36 |
| March 6 | 362 | 83 |
Look at that spread.
The province issued as few as 17 NLPNP invitations in one July round and as many as 400 in another.
That’s why applicants should be careful about treating one draw’s invitation count as a prediction of the next one.
What Determines Who Newfoundland and Labrador Selects?
This is where things get more interesting.
The province uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) model to help prioritize candidates.
Selection priorities can include factors such as:
- Employment in healthcare
- Employment outside major urban centres
- Completion of studies at a Newfoundland and Labrador post-secondary institution
- Labour-market needs
- Other provincial priorities
In other words, your immigration profile isn’t evaluated in a vacuum.
The province is looking at candidates in the context of its current immigration and workforce priorities.
For applicants, that means asking:
“Do I qualify?” is only the first question.
The next question is:
“Does my profile align with the province’s current priorities?”
Healthcare Workers May Have an Important Advantage in the Selection Priorities
The province’s published EOI prioritization criteria include employment in healthcare.
That makes healthcare professionals particularly relevant when assessing Newfoundland and Labrador immigration options.
But don’t misread this.
The fact that healthcare is included among the province’s selection factors does not mean every healthcare worker will receive an invitation.
Applicants still need to satisfy the applicable program requirements and compete within the province’s selection system.
Your occupation, employment situation, qualifications and other factors can all matter.
Working Outside Major Urban Centres Can Also Matter
Another factor identified by Newfoundland and Labrador’s EOI prioritization criteria is employment outside major urban centres.
This reflects a broader trend in Canadian immigration.
Provincial and regional immigration programs are increasingly interested in helping smaller communities attract and retain workers.
For someone willing to live and work outside a major population centre, this can therefore be an important factor when researching provincial immigration options.
But again, the exact effect depends on the program’s current criteria.
Studying in Newfoundland and Labrador Can Also Be Relevant
The province also considers completion of studies at an in-province post-secondary institution among its EOI prioritization factors.
That can make Newfoundland and Labrador particularly relevant to international graduates who have already studied in the province.
If you’re an international student who completed eligible studies locally and now have qualifying employment, it’s worth examining how those circumstances interact with the applicable immigration stream.
Don’t assume graduation alone guarantees an invitation.
It doesn’t.
But it can be one of the factors considered in the province’s selection model.
How Does the Newfoundland and Labrador EOI Process Work?
The process can look complicated if you’re seeing it for the first time.
Here’s the simplified version:
Step 1: Determine whether you meet the eligibility requirements of an eligible NLPNP stream or AIP.
Step 2: Submit an Expression of Interest profile and enter the candidate pool where required.
Step 3: The province reviews active profiles according to its selection priorities.
Step 4: Selected candidates receive an invitation to apply.
Step 5: Submit a complete provincial nomination application within the required deadline.
Step 6: If approved, receive a provincial nomination certificate.
Step 7: Apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence.
That’s the part many applicants get wrong.
An invitation is not permanent residence.
It’s an opportunity to submit the next application.
What Happens After a Provincial Nomination?
Once Newfoundland and Labrador nominates a candidate, the applicant can move forward with the applicable federal permanent residence process.
The federal government still assesses the PR application.
So the journey doesn’t end with the provincial nomination.
Think of provincial nomination as one major stage in the broader immigration process rather than the finish line.
Could In-Canada Nominees Get a Bridging Open Work Permit?
Potentially.
Some candidates already in Canada who have submitted their permanent residence application may be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) if they meet the federal requirements.
There is also an important temporary federal measure introduced in 2026.
Since June 9, 2026, eligible base provincial nominees who have submitted a permanent residence application can apply for a BOWP without first receiving an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) for their PR application, subject to the applicable federal requirements.
This can be significant for nominees whose current work permits are approaching expiry.
However, applicants should not assume:
“I received a nomination = I automatically qualify for a BOWP.”
The federal work permit criteria still apply.
Newfoundland and Labrador Has 2,854 Immigration Spaces for 2026
For 2026, Newfoundland and Labrador has been allocated 2,854 spaces across the NLPNP and AIP.
The allocation includes:
- 2,379 NLPNP spaces
- 475 AIP spaces
But there’s an important distinction between spaces and invitations.
A provincial allocation refers to the number of nominations and endorsements available.
It isn’t necessarily the same thing as the number of invitations issued in individual EOI draws.
So if you see an allocation number and compare it directly with a draw number, you’re comparing two different things.
What Does the Latest Newfoundland Draw Mean for Applicants?
If you’re planning to immigrate through Newfoundland and Labrador, the September 25 selection gives you a few useful signals.
Don’t Rely on Invitation Numbers Alone
A draw with 41 invitations doesn’t mean the next draw will also issue 41.
The province’s 2026 results have varied significantly.
Your Employment Matters
Employment is a major part of the province’s EOI prioritization framework.
Where you work and what you do can influence how your profile fits current priorities.
Healthcare Experience Could Be Relevant
Healthcare employment is specifically identified among the province’s EOI prioritization factors.
Location Can Matter
Employment outside major urban centres is also identified as a selection factor.
Local Education Can Help Your Profile
Candidates who completed studies at a Newfoundland and Labrador post-secondary institution may have a relevant factor within the province’s EOI model.
What Should Candidates Do Before the Next Draw?
Don’t sit around waiting for another invitation round.
Use the time to improve the parts of your profile that you can actually control.
Keep Your EOI Profile Updated
Make sure your:
- Employment information
- Education
- Work experience
- Language results
- Contact details
- Immigration history
are accurate.
Check Your Occupation
Your job title isn’t enough.
Your actual job duties should align with the applicable occupation classification and program requirements.
Review Your Language Results
If your language test results are approaching expiry or you can legitimately improve your score, review your options before submitting or updating your profile.
Check Employer Requirements
Many provincial immigration pathways depend heavily on employment.
Make sure your employer, job offer and employment documentation satisfy the requirements of the specific program you’re considering.
Don’t Ignore Regional Opportunities
If you’re willing to work outside a major urban centre, research whether regional employment aligns with Newfoundland and Labrador’s current EOI priorities.
For some candidates, the location of the job can matter just as much as the job itself.
Newfoundland and Labrador Immigration vs Atlantic Immigration Program
One of the most common sources of confusion is treating NLPNP and AIP as the same thing.
They’re not.
The NLPNP is Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial nominee program.
The Atlantic Immigration Program is a separate federal immigration program covering the Atlantic provinces.
Both can lead eligible candidates toward Canadian permanent residence, but their eligibility rules and application processes differ.
The September 25 round is a good example.
41 NLPNP invitations were issued.
0 AIP invitations were issued.
So applicants need to know which program they’re actually targeting.
Newfoundland and Labrador PR Processing Times
According to the processing-time information provided for September 4, the reported processing times were:
| Application Type | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Base PNP | 13 months |
| Enhanced PNP | 7 months |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 26 months |
Processing times can change, and applicants should always check the latest federal estimates before making plans around a specific timeline.
Also remember that processing time estimates are not guarantees.
Individual applications can take longer or shorter depending on the circumstances and processing requirements.
Key Takeaways From the September 25 Draw
Here’s the quick version:
41 — NLPNP invitations issued.
0 — AIP invitations issued.
2,695 — total provincial immigration invitations issued by Newfoundland and Labrador in 2026 as of September 25.
2,300 — NLPNP invitations issued in 2026.
395 — AIP invitations issued in 2026.
2,854 — total NLPNP and AIP spaces allocated to the province for 2026.
2,379 — NLPNP allocation.
475 — AIP allocation.
The biggest takeaway?
Newfoundland and Labrador is continuing to use targeted selection rather than simply inviting candidates based on one universal score.
Employment, location, education and provincial priorities can all be relevant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many workers did Newfoundland and Labrador invite on September 25, 2026?
The province invited 41 workers through the NLPNP.
Did Newfoundland and Labrador invite AIP candidates in this draw?
No. The September 25 round issued no AIP invitations.
How many NLPNP invitations has Newfoundland and Labrador issued in 2026?
As of September 25, the province had issued 2,300 NLPNP invitations.
How many total provincial immigration invitations has the province issued?
Newfoundland and Labrador had issued 2,695 invitations across the NLPNP and AIP as of September 25, 2026.
Does Newfoundland and Labrador publish the occupations selected in every draw?
No. For the September 25 draw, the province did not disclose the specific NLPNP streams, sectors or occupations represented among the selected candidates.
Can healthcare workers apply for Newfoundland and Labrador immigration?
Healthcare employment is one of the factors identified in Newfoundland and Labrador’s EOI prioritization criteria. Applicants must still meet the requirements of the applicable immigration stream.
Does studying in Newfoundland and Labrador help with immigration?
Completion of studies at an in-province post-secondary institution is identified as one of the province’s EOI prioritization factors. Eligibility and selection still depend on the applicable program requirements.
Can provincial nominees apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit?
Eligible applicants may be able to apply for a BOWP after submitting their PR application, provided they meet federal requirements. A provincial nomination alone does not automatically guarantee a BOWP.
Is a provincial nomination the same as permanent residence?
No. After receiving a provincial nomination, the applicant must still submit the applicable permanent residence application to the federal government and satisfy federal requirements.
Final Word
Newfoundland and Labrador’s latest draw may have issued only 41 invitations, but the bigger story is how the province is choosing candidates.
The province continues to use an EOI-based selection model that can take employment, healthcare work, regional employment and local education into account.
That means immigration planning shouldn’t start with:
“What was the cutoff?”
It should start with:
“How does my profile fit Newfoundland and Labrador’s current priorities?”
If you’re working in healthcare, employed outside a major urban centre, studied in Newfoundland and Labrador, or otherwise have a profile that aligns with the province’s immigration priorities, it’s worth examining your options carefully.
And if you’re not sure whether the NLPNP, Atlantic Immigration Program, Express Entry or another Canadian immigration pathway fits your profile, VisaNexa can help you understand the available routes before you move forward.
