Newfoundland and Labrador Issues 122 PNP Invitations
Introduction
Newfoundland and Labrador invited 122 candidates to apply for provincial nomination in its latest selection round on August 18, 2026.
This draw is notable because, for the first time in 2026, the province issued invitations only through the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP). Unlike previous draws, the province did not issue any invitations through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
What Happened in the Latest Draw?
The province held its 11th immigration draw of 2026 on August 18.
This time, Newfoundland and Labrador issued:
- 122 invitations through the NLPNP
- 0 invitations through the AIP
Previously, the province included both programs in almost every selection round. Therefore, this latest draw marks a change in the province’s usual invitation pattern.
How Does This Draw Compare With Earlier Draws?
The number of invitations has changed significantly throughout 2026.
For example, the province issued 445 invitations on March 6, while the July 10 draw had only 57 invitations.
The latest rounds included:
| Date | Total Invitations | NLPNP | AIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 6 | 445 | 362 | 83 |
| March 30 | 245 | 209 | 36 |
| April 13 | 210 | 177 | 33 |
| May 1 | 190 | 157 | 33 |
| May 11 | 186 | 168 | 18 |
| May 28 | 103 | 84 | 19 |
| June 10 | 108 | 89 | 19 |
| July 10 | 57 | 17 | 40 |
| July 28 | 445 | 400 | 45 |
| August 10 | 208 | 186 | 22 |
| August 18 | 122 | 122 | 0 |
As the table shows, the August 18 draw was smaller than several earlier rounds. However, it stands out because all 122 invitations went to NLPNP candidates.
How Many Invitations Has Newfoundland and Labrador Issued in 2026?
So far this year, Newfoundland and Labrador has issued:
- 1,849 NLPNP invitations
- 348 AIP invitations
Together, that brings the province’s total to 2,197 invitations between January 1 and August 18, 2026.
The NLPNP accounted for approximately 85% of all invitations issued by the province during this period.
How Can You Apply Through the NLPNP?
To pursue permanent residence through the NLPNP, candidates must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the province’s Immigration Accelerator Portal.
The EOI allows candidates to provide information about their:
- Education
- Work experience
- Language skills
- Employment
- Plans to settle in Newfoundland and Labrador
For most NLPNP applicants, a valid job offer from an employer in the province is also required. The entrepreneur streams are an exception to this requirement.
After candidates submit their EOIs, the province reviews the profiles and selects candidates according to its current immigration priorities.
What Factors Can Improve Your Chances?
Newfoundland and Labrador may prioritize candidates who meet specific provincial needs.
For example, the province may consider factors such as:
- Working in the healthcare sector
- Working outside major urban areas
- Having French-language skills
- Graduating from a post-secondary institution in Newfoundland and Labrador
Therefore, candidates whose skills and experience match the province’s labour market needs may have stronger chances of receiving an invitation.
What Happens After Receiving an Invitation?
Candidates who receive an invitation have 60 days to submit their complete provincial nomination application.
If the province approves the application, the candidate receives a provincial nomination.
After that, the candidate can apply to the federal government for permanent residence. IRCC then processes the PR application and, if approved, issues a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
How Long Does the PR Process Take?
According to the processing times provided in the source, as of August 10, 2026, the estimated processing times were:
| Application Type | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Base PNP | 13 months |
| Enhanced PNP | 7 months |
However, processing times can change depending on application volumes and other factors.
What Happens If You Don’t Receive an Invitation?
An EOI remains active for 12 months.
If a candidate does not receive an invitation during that period, the profile expires. The candidate must then submit a new EOI profile if they still want to be considered for provincial nomination.
What Does the Latest Draw Mean?
Overall, the August 18 draw shows that Newfoundland and Labrador is continuing to select candidates through its EOI-based immigration system.
More importantly, this was the first 2026 draw where the province issued invitations exclusively through the NLPNP, without including AIP candidates.
Therefore, candidates interested in settling in Newfoundland and Labrador should keep their EOI profile updated and pay attention to the province’s latest selection priorities.
Get in touch with SPS Global
Receive advice on any of your questions regarding immigration. Get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Global. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).
