These Frequently Asked Questions are to help International Graduates, employers and representatives gain an understanding of the International Graduate category of the 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. The Provincial Nominee category is an economic category of the federal immigration program.

The NLPNP International Graduate category allows international students, who have graduated from a recognized post-secondary educational institution in Canada, to be considered for nomination for permanent residence in Canada. This category targets international graduates who have established strong ties to Newfoundland and Labrador and intend to live, work, and establish their careers in this province.

To be eligible to apply under the International Graduate category one must:

(a) Have completed at least half of their studies in Canada, and have graduated, from an eligible publicly funded Canadian college or university

(students must send proof of graduation with their application);

(b) Have 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 which require a previous degree or diploma (which may have been obtained abroad), are also eligible.

(c) Have a full-time job offer in their field of study, or a related field of study, from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer OR have a proven attachment to the local labour market. For example: Although you may be currently working in a temporary (full-time) position or on contract, if you can show that the position has potential to be extended OR that you would be able to secure another position within this organization, you would be deemed to have a labour market attachment;

(d) Have applied to the NLPNP within two years of the date on which they received their degree or diploma OR during the last semester of completing their degree or diploma (in which case they will have to provide transcripts which indicate that they will be graduating at the end of the semester;

(e) Have legal status in Canada; that is to say, have a Citizenship and Immigration Canada Post-Graduate Work Permit.

(f) Have the qualifications, training, skills, and accreditation required for the job;

(g) Demonstrate the intention and ability to settle permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador;

(h) Have a job or job offer for a position which corresponds to your education and specific skill levels;

(i) Have a job or job offer that has compensation in the form of a salary and benefits package that meets provincial employment standards and prevailing wage rates;

(j). Have a job or job offer that has opportunity for advancement;

(k) Have a job or job offer that does not contravene existing bargaining unit agreements or any employment disputes;

(l) Demonstrate that you have sufficient settlement funds and financial resources to successfully establish yourself and any dependents in Newfoundland and Labrador;

(m) Demonstrate sufficient English or French language capability to perform the employment duties. The English language ability must be verified by one of the following:

1. An Affidavit of English Language Ability from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer who has offered you a permanent job; OR

2. education and/or training documents.

An individual will NOT be eligible to submit an application to the International Graduate category if he/she is:

(a) a student who has not yet completed his/her post-secondary studies;

(b) a failed refugee claimant or a refugee claimant living in Newfoundland and Labrador;

(c) a student who has studied in Canada under sponsorship from an agency or government that expects the individual to return to his/her country of origin once he/she has graduated;

(d) parents, spouses, common-law, or conjugal partners of Canadian citizens. These individuals are encouraged to apply under the federal Family Class which exists for this purpose.

Graduates of private training institutions may qualify to apply under this category provided:

(1) they have graduated, within the last two (2) years, from a program of at least two (2) academic years of full-time study in Canada and have received a certificate, or diploma, from a recognized Canadian private post-secondary institution; AND

(2) they are in possession of a valid work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

There is NO APPLICATION FEE and applicants will receive priority processing by the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism.

An individual may not be eligible for immigration to Canada if any of the following are true:

• He/she or any dependent family member (whether or not they are accompanying) has a serious medical condition;

• He/she or any dependent family member over the age of 18 (whether or not they are accompanying) has a criminal record;

• He/she has unresolved custody or child support disputes affecting any member of his/her family;

• He/she has intentionally misrepresented him/herself in the application.

There is no application fee under the International Graduate category. The applicant must, however, pay all the required Government of Canada immigration fees when he/she submits their Application for Permanent Residence to a Canadian visa office.

In this category, labour market attachment refers to previous employment experience in the province, and that the current job must have the potential to turn into a long-term position within the organization.

No. The job must be a full-time position. In general, part-time employees will not be able to sustain themselves financially for an extended period of time. For the purposes of this category, full-time is typically considered to be 35 or more hours of work per week.

Yes, the employer is responsible for completing an Employer Application form, and for providing a copy of the detailed job description and the employment contract. The employer will also be contacted to obtain clarification on the position and the employment contract.

Under any circumstances, you MUST immediately notify the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism of any change in your employment, and you will need to amend or change your Work Permit. You are also required to ensure that a copy of your most current Work Permit is on file with our office.

If you wish to change jobs, or if you lose your job, you will need to keep in mind that any new position should fit with your education and skills and must be located in the province. The new position must also appropriately reflect the criteria for the Program since your application will need to be considered in light of the new job. If you do not meet these requirements, your nomination may be withheld or withdrawn.

You have up to two years after graduation to qualify for the International Graduate category.

Yes. Newfoundland and Labrador will select only those applicants who can demonstrate a sincere interest in residing permanently in the province. If you wish to live elsewhere in the country, you should not apply to the NLPNP, but rather to the program which exists in the province of your choice.