On November 18, Newfoundland and Labrador launched their newest immigration pathway, Priority Skills Newfoundland and Labrador, for newcomers hoping to settle into the province. 

Under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP), the Priority Skills Newfoundland and Labrador pathway will largely focus on candidates with a high level of education, work experience, and skills in specialized industries. The NLPNP announced that the program was set to launch on January 2, 2021. 

The pathway was created to address labor shortages in a number of high-growth sectors in the province, as a response to the growing demand for highly-skilled workers.

Applicants who might be interested in applying for the Priority Skills Newfoundland and Labrador pathway must meet either of the following criteria:

• Masters or PhD graduates of Memorial University within the last three years in any of the following courses: 
  • Information and Communication Technology 
  • Ocean Technology 
  • Healthcare 
  • Agriculture
  • Aquaculture

• A professional with work experience in the following of highly-skilled in-demand occupations:
  • Software Developer
  • Biomedical Engineer
  • UI/UX Developer
  • Electrical Engineer
  • AI Developer
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Python Developer
  • .NET Developer
  • Infrastructure Engineer
  • Security Specialist
  • Cloud Specialist
  • Bioinformatician
  • Computer Network Support

Applicants must also demonstrate their proficiency in their English language skills through either the IELTS or CELPIP tests and score an equivalent of Canadian Language Benchmark level 5 or more.

Apart from the Priority Skills Newfoundland and Labrador pathway, however, there are many other pathways to Canada. 

The NLPNP is divided into five different pathways into the province: 

• Express Entry Skilled Worker: focuses on candidates in the federal Express Entry system for provincial nomination.
• Skilled Worker: focuses individuals with job offers or valid work permits in the province for provincial nomination.
• International Graduate: focuses recent graduates with Post-Graduate Work Permits, jobs, or job offers in the province. 
• International Entrepreneur: focuses individuals who wish to start or purchase a business within the province.
• International Graduate Entrepreneur: focuses international graduates who wish to run a business in the province. 

Apart from these five pathways, Newfoundland and Labrador is also affiliated with the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP). Individuals who wish to settle in the province may also do so through the AIPP. 

If you’re considering a post-pandemic future in Canada and want to know more about the different pathways to immigrate, register to one of our private online discussions. Register to an orientation for free here.

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