Newfoundland International Graduate Immigration Stream

The stream is part of the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP), one of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs, through which provinces such as Newfoundland can nominate eligible applicants for Canadian permanent residence based on criteria set by the province.

Immigration to Newfoundland through the Newfoundland International Graduate stream is open to more people than you might think. This is because applicants who studied in a Canadian province other than Newfoundland may be eligible to apply; the criteria for the Newfoundland International Graduate stream is not limited to graduates of institutions in Newfoundland.

The Newfoundland International Graduate stream is not aligned with the federal Express Entry system. Therefore, successfully applicants do not obtain 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points and an invitation to apply through Express Entry. Rather, with a provincial nomination obtained through the Newfoundland International Graduate stream, you can apply for Canadian permanent residence outside Express Entry.

Newfoundland offers a separate stream for Express Entry candidates.

Newfoundland International Graduate stream eligibility requirements

As an applicant, you must have:

• Completed at least half of your studies in Canada;
• Graduated from an eligible publicly-funded Canadian college or university (students must send proof of graduation with their application);
• Completed a minimum of a two-year diploma or degree program, while studying on a full-time basis. One-year post-graduate degree programs and certificate programs that require a previous degree or diploma (which may have been obtained abroad) are also eligible;
• A full-time job or job offer. The job or job offer should be for at least two years with the possibility of extension, from an eligible Newfoundland and Labrador employer. Pay should be in the form of a salary and benefits package that meets provincial employment standards and prevailing wage rates. Contractual or locum positions (short-term positions usually less than twelve (12) months in duration with little or no possibility of extension) are not eligible for the NLPNP;
• Be 21 to 59 years old;
• Have qualifications, training, skills, and/or accreditation required for the job;
• Have a post-graduation work permit with at least six months remaining prior to expiry date;
• Intend to settle permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador;
• Have sufficient settlement funds and financial resources to successfully establish yourself and any dependents in Newfoundland and Labrador;
• Have sufficient English or French language capability to perform the employment duties. If you are nominated in an occupation classified in National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience, Responsibilities category 4 or 5 you will have to meet Minimum Language Requirements. Note that TEER 5 positions are not normally considered under the International Graduate category.

If you completed your studies at a recognized post-secondary institute outside of Newfoundland and Labrador, your job or job offer must be related to your field of study. You also may be required to work for a minimum of one year prior to submission of your NLPNP application.

You are not eligible for the Newfound International Graduate stream if:

• You have not yet completed your studies;
• You are a failed refugee claimant or a refugee claimant;
• You are a student who has studied in Canada under sponsorship from an agency or government that expects you to return to his/her country of origin once he/she has graduated;
• You or any dependent family member over the age of 22 have a criminal record;
• You have unresolved custody or child support disputes;
• You have intentionally misrepresented yourself in the application; or
• The employer has intentionally misrepresented themselves or you in relation to their, or your, role in business.

Working in field of study

Applicants to the Newfoundland International Graduate stream should hold either:

• a full-time, indeterminate position related to their field of study, or
• a position that is commensurate with their skills, experience and/or training.

Applicants are permitted to hold a position that is unrelated to their field of study, provided the applicant is a graduate of Memorial University or College of the North Atlantic and that the applicant’s position:

1. Requires a post-secondary degree or diploma;
2. Corresponds to National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3;
3. Can reasonably be expected to lead to career advancement for the applicant;
4. Is in a field in which the applicant has a recent (i.e. in the last five years) combination of skill, experience and/or training, according to the NOC description, as defined by Employment and Social Development Canada;
5. Is full-time and indeterminate; and
6. Responds to a perceived labour market need in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The applicant’s employer must adhere to the requirements of the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP), including being established and operating in Newfoundland and Labrador for at least two years (unless exempt under NLPNP, such as businesses in rural areas), and adhering to all applicable labour laws and regulations in Newfoundland and Labrador. The employer may be asked to explain how the position responds to a perceived labour market need in their organization.

Next steps

To begin an electronic application, click here.

You can keep up to date on all PNP developments with our PNP Live Tracker.