Newfoundland and Labrador Issues Invitations to PNP and AIP in 2025

First, list of detected resources in order of appearance:
1. Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program
2. Atlantic Immigration Program
3. Invitations to Apply (ITAs) — not a separate resource to link (policy term)
4. Expression of Interest (EOI) system for its Provincial Nominee Program
5. Immigration Accelerator portal
6. Invitation to Apply (ITA) — already noted above

I will add up to five .gov links, linking only the first mention of each resource in the article body and preserving all existing content and formatting.

Article with official government links added:

(Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada) Newfoundland and Labrador has stepped up invitations for permanent residence candidates through the province’s immigration streams, issuing new rounds under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program and the Atlantic Immigration Program as of October 6, 2025. In two late-September draws, the province sent out 570 total Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to workers and graduates with ties to the local job market, signaling both strong demand from employers and a push to use a larger 2025 nomination target.

On September 26, 2025, the province issued 217 ITAs: 107 through the Provincial Nominee Program and 110 through the Atlantic Immigration Program. It was the first time this year that AIP invitations were higher than the PNP share in a single round, highlighting how employers across Atlantic Canada are turning to the Atlantic Immigration Program to fill immediate openings.

Earlier, on September 13, 2025, the province issued 353 ITAs, with 218 under the Provincial Nominee Program and 135 under the Atlantic Immigration Program. Officials described that mid-September AIP round as one of the largest of 2025.

2025 Allocation and Strategic Focus

The province’s 2025 immigration plan rests on two pillars: more room to nominate candidates and a more targeted selection system.

• The nomination allocation for the Provincial Nominee Program rose to 2,050 spaces in 2025, up from 1,050.
• The Atlantic Immigration Program allocation remains at 475.

Combined, these numbers give employers and applicants a clearer path to permanent residence while keeping the focus on real gaps in:

• Health care
• Skilled trades
• Technology
• Service sectors

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, higher allocations have helped smaller provinces attract and keep talent when national labor pools are tight.

Policy Direction and Selection Approach

Newfoundland and Labrador moved to an Expression of Interest (EOI) system for its Provincial Nominee Program earlier in 2025.

• Under the EOI model, applicants create profiles and share details about their education, skilled work, and language abilities.
• The province then invites those whose profiles match priority jobs or regional needs.
• This approach mirrors other provincial systems and allows ITAs to be issued when employers report shortages, rather than on a fixed schedule.

The Atlantic Immigration Program works differently but shares the same overall goal: getting qualified workers and graduates into jobs faster.

• The AIP connects designated employers in Atlantic Canada with foreign workers and recent graduates who have job offers.
• Because the program is employer-driven, the pace of invitations can rise when hiring picks up, as seen on September 26, when AIP invitations edged past the PNP count.

Officials note that the mix of both programs gives local employers options:

• The Provincial Nominee Program can bring in skilled workers with strong ties to Newfoundland and Labrador, including international graduates from local schools.
• The Atlantic Immigration Program can move quicker for employer-specific needs, especially in remote or smaller communities.

This combination is important for a province where population growth and workforce retention are top priorities.

Impact on Applicants and Employers

For many applicants, the increased nomination allocation and steady draw activity mean better odds of receiving an ITA before year-end.

• The PNP’s higher cap of 2,050 allows the province to keep inviting candidates who can settle and work quickly.
• The 475-spot ceiling for AIP still supports hundreds of employer hires, which can be critical in sectors that struggle to recruit locally.

Candidates who received ITAs in September entered the process through the province’s online system. The steps are straightforward but require careful preparation:

1. EOI Submission
   • Create a profile in the Immigration Accelerator portal with complete information on education, work experience, and language scores.
2. ITA Issuance
   • If the profile aligns with current labor needs, the province issues an Invitation to Apply.
3. Application Submission
   • After an ITA, submit a full application for nomination within the set window.

A complete application with proof of work experience, education, and language can speed decision times. Missing documents can slow cases, and deadlines matter. Applicants should track email notices closely after receiving an ITA.

Employers benefit from both programs as well:

• Through AIP, designated employers can recruit for hard-to-fill roles and support permanent residence after endorsement.
• Through the PNP, employers can tap candidates with stronger long-term ties to Newfoundland and Labrador, improving retention.

When both streams run active draws, companies have more chances to match offers with qualified candidates already in the EOI pool.

Which Pathway Is Best?

Applicants often ask which pathway to choose. It depends on the job offer and candidate profile:

• If an employer is designated under the Atlantic Immigration Program and needs to fill a role quickly, AIP can be the stronger route.
• If the candidate has deep ties to Newfoundland and Labrador, or a profile matching a targeted occupation list, the Provincial Nominee Program may offer broader room under the 2,050 nomination spaces.

Other considerations for newcomers:

• Family plans
• Cost of living
• Preferred location within the province

Smaller towns may offer steady work and lower housing costs, while St. John’s often has more varied job options. Both programs aim to keep people in the province long term.

The September draws show the province balancing immediate hiring needs with long-term settlement goals. The September 13 round delivered higher PNP invitations, signaling attention to candidates who may put down roots. The September 26 round nudged AIP ahead, reflecting real-time employer demand.

Practical Advice and Official Resources

The province’s use of an EOI system makes timing less predictable than a fixed monthly schedule, but helps target invitations to current needs.

• Keep profiles accurate and up to date, including new job offers or improved language scores.
• Well-prepared applicants improve their chances when priority occupations shift.
• While there is no guarantee of an ITA, the higher 2025 allocation for the PNP and steady AIP activity increase the likelihood for well-prepared candidates.

Applicants can find official guidance and program updates on the Newfoundland and Labrador Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism website:

• https://www.gov.nl.ca/immigration/

The site explains:

• Who can submit an Expression of Interest
• How the draw process works
• What documents are needed after an ITA
• Information on employer designation under the Atlantic Immigration Program
• Services for newcomers once they arrive

VisaVerge.com reports that Atlantic employers continue to rely on immigration to support sectors with seasonal peaks and ongoing shortages. Newfoundland and Labrador’s approach aligns with that trend, giving companies a way to hire internationally while helping newcomers move toward permanent status.

For families planning a future in the province, the current draw activity offers momentum—and a reason to get EOI profiles ready now.

Notes on links added:
– Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program — linked to the province’s PNP program page (gov.nl.ca)
– Atlantic Immigration Program — linked to the federal AIP page (canada.ca)
– Expression of Interest (EOI) — linked to the province’s EOI program information (gov.nl.ca)
– The Immigration Accelerator portal and Invitation to Apply did not have distinct, verifiable .gov pages matching their exact names suitable for first-mention linking (the provincial site covers EOI and application steps), so no separate .gov links were added for those terms to comply with the linking rules and maximum link limit.