Family Connections Category - FAQ

What is the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program?
The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) is an immigration program that is administered by the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It operates under an agreement with the federal Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. It allows Newfoundland and Labrador to nominate applicants to the federal government for permanent residence in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Provincial Nominee category is an economic category of the federal immigration program.

What is the NLPNP – Family Connection Category?
The NLPNP Family Connection Category is for immigrant families living in Newfoundland and Labrador who want to help their overseas family members relocate and work in the province. Family members who intend to Sponsor a Relative must provide settlement assistance (which includes financial support) to applicants and their dependents.

Which Relatives are eligible to be sponsored?
Family members who are eligible to be sponsored and make an application to the NLPNP Family Connection Category are:

Can I sponsor my spouse, parents, grandparents or my dependent child?
No.  Spouses, parents, grandparents and dependent children can be sponsored through Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Family Sponsorship Program. The Provincial Nominee Program is an economic category under the federal immigration system. Individuals selected for nomination are those who have demonstrated that they can become economically established in Canada.

What are the eligibility requirements for the Family Member?
To be considered for sponsorship through the Family Connections Category, the family member must:

·         Be between the age of 18-49 years old;

·         Have a family member living in the province willing to provide settlement assistance;

·         Have completed post secondary education that has resulted in a diploma, certificate or degree;

·         Have at least one year of work experience;

·         Have adequate English language ability to enable them to work in Newfoundland and Labrador;

·         Have enough money to live in the province for a short time while seeking employment and;

·         Have the intention of living in the province.

Who can be a Sponsor?
The Sponsor must be a family member currently residing in the province and committed to continuing residence in the province on a long term basis. He/She must be either a Canadian Citizen or a Permanent Resident for at least twelve (12) consecutive months prior to the submission of the application. The Sponsor must be willing to assist the Relative in settling in Newfoundland and Labrador. The following are family members who live in Newfoundland and Labrador and who are eligible to Sponsor an application to the NLPNP Family Connection Category: parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt, sister, brother, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, step-sister, step-brother, niece, nephew, and first cousin.

What criteria must I meet to sponsor a Family Member?
To be eligible to sponsor a family member you must be currently residing in the province and committed to continuing residence in the province on a long term basis. He/She must be either a Canadian Citizen or a Permanent Resident for at least twelve (12) consecutive months prior to the submission of the application. You must also be financially self-supporting and be able to provide settlement assistance for your family member. You cannot be a sponsor if you have received financial support through the Newfoundland and Labrador Income Support Program, Employment Insurance, or the Resettlement Assistance Program within the     last twelve (12) months.

Who would not be considered a Sponsor?

You will NOT be eligible to Sponsor a Relative if:

·         You have sponsored a family member (Relative) in the past through CIC Family Sponsorship Program and failed to comply with the Sponsorship Agreement.

·         You have defaulted on a Court Order for alimony or child support.

·         You have been charged or convicted of a violent crime and/or are in prison.

·         You have been in receipt of income support, employment insurance or resettlement funds during the past 12 months.

·         You are refugee claimants or a failed refugee claimant living in Newfoundland and Labrador.

·         You have declared bankruptcy and have not yet been released.

Can a Sponsor submit multiple applications under this category?
Multiple applications to the NLPNP Family Connection Category will not be accepted unless the Sponsor is able to demonstrate to NLPNP that previous Relatives have been successfully integrated and economically established in the community and/or that the NLPNP is satisfied that the Sponsor has sufficient funds to sponsor more than one Relative and their family. What is deemed to be successful integration will be determined by the NLPNP.

As a Sponsor what are my responsibilities after the arrival of my Family Member?
Agreeing to be a Sponsor is a major responsibility. You are promising to ensure that your relative and their accompanying dependents have everything that they need as soon as they arrive in Canada. You would have to ensure that they have goods and services necessary for daily living, dental care, eye care and other health care needs not covered by MCP. In addition, you have to ensure that they have access to appropriate information and assistance to allow them to search for employment. You, as the sponsor, will provide what is necessary to ensure successful settlement and integration into the community.

Is it necessary for my Family Member to have an employment offer prior to sponsoring?
No. However, if an employment offer is made to your family member prior to arrival and your family member is qualified to do the job, the OIM would work with Citizenship and Immigration Canada to secure a work permit.

Is there an application fee?
Yes. There is an application processing fee of $150.00.

How much do I need to earn before I can support a family member?
The NLPNP does not require that a family member earn a minimum income before being eligible to support a family member. We require proof that you are self-supporting (have not received financial support through the Newfoundland and Labrador Income Support Program, Employment Insurance, or the Resettlement Assistance Program within the last 12 months).

My family member meets the educational requirements under the Family Connections Category, but does not have any work experience. Are they eligible to apply to the NLPNP?
Applicants to all categories of the NLPNP must have at least one year of work experience before they are eligible to apply.