Newfoundland and Labrador issues 103 immigration invitations in latest draw
Newfoundland and Labrador invited 103 immigration candidates on May 28, 2026, in its sixth round of provincial selections this year. The invitations were issued through two pathways: the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
The latest round reflects a continued pattern of smaller draws in recent months, with selection volumes declining compared to earlier in the year. Provincial immigration draws remain a key mechanism for selecting candidates tied to labour market needs.
Individuals with profiles in the province’s Expression of Interest system were considered for nomination under the NLPNP or endorsement through the AIP. Successful candidates are eligible to proceed with further stages of the immigration process.
- Total invitations issued on May 28: 103
- Invitations through NLPNP: 84
- Invitations through AIP: 19
- May recorded three draws, the highest monthly total in 2026
- Total invitations issued in 2026 so far: 1,379
Breakdown of the May 28 invitation round
The majority of invitations in the latest round were issued under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program. A total of 84 candidates were selected through this pathway, accounting for more than four-fifths of all invitations issued.
The remaining 19 invitations were allocated through the Atlantic Immigration Program, a federal-provincial initiative that facilitates hiring by designated employers across Atlantic Canada.
Provincial authorities did not disclose the specific streams within the NLPNP that were included in the selection. Details on targeted occupations or candidate attributes were also not released.
The May 28 draw represents the smallest round conducted by the province in 2026 to date. Earlier draws this year issued notably higher numbers of invitations, particularly during March.
Declining draw sizes observed in 2026
Data from previous rounds indicates a steady decline in invitation volumes over the course of the year. The largest draw took place on March 6, when 445 invitations were issued across both programs.
Subsequent rounds have gradually decreased in size, with 245 invitations issued on March 30 and 210 on April 13. May began with draws of 190 and 186 invitations before dropping to 103 in the latest round.
This pattern highlights a shift toward smaller, more frequent selection rounds. May was the only month in 2026 so far to include three draws.
Comprehensive records of recent provincial selections can be accessed through the Newfoundland and Labrador draws index, which tracks invitation rounds across streams and dates.
Total invitations in 2026 exceed prior year
As of May 28, Newfoundland and Labrador has issued 1,379 invitations through its provincial and Atlantic pathways in 2026. The majority—approximately 83.9%—have been issued through the NLPNP.
This total surpasses the number of invitations issued during the same period in 2025. Between January 1 and May 28 of last year, the province conducted only two draws, issuing a combined 584 invitations.
The year-over-year increase reflects a higher volume of selection activity despite the recent decline in individual draw sizes. Both the NLPNP and AIP continue to operate as parallel channels for candidate selection.
Overview of the NLPNP and AIP pathways
The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program enables the province to nominate candidates for permanent residence based on local economic priorities. Selected individuals receive a provincial nomination that can support a permanent residence application to the federal government.
The Atlantic Immigration Program operates separately as an employer-driven pathway. It allows designated employers in Atlantic provinces to recruit foreign workers and international graduates, with candidates receiving an endorsement from the province.
Further information on eligibility scoring and criteria for provincial nomination can be referenced through tools such as the Newfoundland PNP calculator, which outlines selection factors used in assessment systems.
Expression of Interest system and candidate selection
To be considered under either program, candidates must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the province. This system collects information on qualifications, including work experience, education, and language proficiency.
Most applicants require a valid job offer from an employer in Newfoundland and Labrador at the time of submission. Entrepreneur-focused streams under the NLPNP operate with different requirements.
Submitted EOIs are reviewed by the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism, which ranks candidates based on defined criteria. Invitations are then issued to individuals identified as meeting provincial priorities.
Once invited, candidates have a fixed period of 60 days to submit a complete application. For NLPNP candidates, this involves applying directly to the province, while AIP applications are submitted by participating employers.
EOI profiles remain active in the selection pool for up to 12 months. If no invitation is issued within that period, a new submission is required to remain eligible for consideration.
Selection priorities and regional considerations
The province has outlined a number of factors that may influence candidate selection. These include employment in high-demand sectors such as healthcare and positions located outside major urban centres.
Additional considerations include demonstrated ability to establish long-term residence in the province and connections such as local education credentials. These criteria are applied alongside labour market needs and program requirements.
While specific details for individual draws are not always disclosed, the broader prioritization framework guides how invitations are distributed between streams and candidate profiles.
Ongoing role of provincial draws in immigration system
Provincial immigration programs remain an integral part of Canada’s broader immigration framework, complementing federal pathways such as Express Entry. Each province and territory conducts its own selection rounds based on regional needs.
Newfoundland and Labrador’s use of both the NLPNP and AIP reflects a dual approach that combines nomination-based selection with employer-led recruitment. This structure allows flexibility in addressing workforce demands.
The May 28 draw, which issued 103 invitations, adds to a cumulative total of 1,379 invitations issued so far in 2026, marking a higher level of activity than the same period in the previous year.
Additional updates on provincial immigration activity across Canada are regularly published, including detailed records of selection rounds and program-specific developments tied to draws such as those conducted on May 28.