Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program?

The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program was created through an agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. It allows the province to recruit immigrants in order to meet its socio-economic and labour market needs. A person who is nominated by Newfoundland and Labrador is eligible to apply for a permanent resident visa at a Canadian visa office abroad, under the federal immigration category of Economic Class-Provincial Nominee.

How do I apply to the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program?

Once you decide that you want to settle and work in Newfoundland and Labrador, you should complete a Self-Assessment Form to determine if you meet the criteria set by the province for nomination. If you score 50 or more points on the Self-Assessment, you can then complete and forward the Pre-Assessment Form to a provincial Program Officer for review. Once the review is complete, you will be notified as to whether you are eligible to submit an application. Depending on which category you qualify for example, skilled worker, immigrant entrepreneur or immigrant partner, the next steps will differ.

Note: Provincial Nominee applicants may not submit the permanent residence application and/or supporting documents to a Canadian visa office until they are instructed to do so by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. This usually occurs after the applicant has been successfully nominated by the province.

Do I need to have an immigration agent or immigration lawyer to apply?

No. Comprehensive guidance about forms to be completed, the documentation required and processing can be found on both the Government of Canada Citizenship and Immigration website (www.cic.gc.ca) and this website (www.nlpnp.ca). However, the use of a lawyer or other representative to assist with the Provincial Nominee application is a personal choice of the applicant. Please see the Immigration Consultants/Representatives section.

Note: The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has not entered into exclusive arrangements with any immigration agents, immigration lawyers or other individuals to market the Nominee Program. Agents may not make representations of an exclusive relationship with the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. We would appreciate being notified if this should occur.

Will I need to have a medical examination?

A person who is approved as a Provincial Nominee, his or her spouse/common-law partner and dependent children, will all need to have a medical examination, in accordance with regulations set by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. All costs related to the medical examination are the responsibility of the applicant. Successful applicants will receive further instructions from the embassy, high commission or consulate regarding how and when to complete these tasks.

Note: Provincial Nominee applicants must not submit any medical documents to a Canadian visa office until they are instructed to do so by that visa office. A request for medical examination follows the submission of the permanent residence application to the visa office.

Where do I submit my Application for the Provincial Nominee?

The Provincial Nominee Application must be submitted to the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism, Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment , Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The complete mailing address and contact information is listed on the contact page.

Will I be subjected to background and other checks?

All adults will require a background check. Due diligence will be conducted by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to validate the information submitted by the applicant. Further background checks, based on the requirements of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, will be conducted by the Canadian visa office when the applicant's federal application is submitted. This will include security, criminality and medical checks.

Do I need a job before arrival?

Yes. Under the Skilled Worker Category a guaranteed job offer that can be verified by the local employer or organization will be required. The Guaranteed Job Offer Form must be completed and submitted with your application.

Can I work in Newfoundland and Labrador prior to submitting a Provincial Nominee application?

It is possible that an applicant can be working in the province and still be eligible to submit a Provincial Nominee application. Any individual who has a permanent job within the province and a valid work permit (see federal regulations at www.cic.gc.ca) can submit the Pre-Assessment form for a review. A provincial Program Officer will review the information and contact you with a decision on eligibility. The review could also result in the provincial Program Officer requesting an interview with you before the final decision on eligibility is made.

The employer must provide evidence to the province that the applicant's skills could not have been met locally and/or that the position was extremely difficult to fill, and that the applicant's skills have a critical impact on the local employer's/organization's ability to operate.

Note: Applicants currently working in the province on a work permit will be required to have been in the province for a six month period prior to submitting a Provincial Nominee application.

Will I need to sign an employment contract prior to submitting my Provincial Nominee application?

In certain professions, employment contracts are standard, e.g. healthcare. In such cases confirmation of a contract may be required prior to the approval of the Provincial Nominee application. Standard employment contracts are necessary to ensure commitment to the employer. In trades or professions where contracts are not necessarily standard, a letter of confirmation of employment from the employer will be necessary.

Will I need to be registered or licensed to work in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Many occupations require registration or licensing to work in Newfoundland and Labrador. If you have enough points in the selection criteria to be eligible as a Provincial Nominee, you may apply, even if your occupation is regulated or requires licensing. However, final processing will not occur without appropriate licensing or sanction from the appropriate licensing body. A provincial Program Officer will inform you of the requirements which may be applicable and contact information for the relevant regulatory body.

How much money must I bring with me to settle in Newfoundland and Labrador?

The Government of Canada requires proof that the applicant has enough money to support himself or herself as well as any dependants after arrival in Canada. You cannot borrow this money from another person. You will need to provide proof of your funds when you submit your application. The amount of money that you need to have to support your family is determined by the size of your family. The federal regulations are as follows:

Number Family Members	Funds Required (CAD$)
1	$9,420
2	$11,775
3	$14,645
4	$17,727
5	$19,816
6	$21,905
7 or more	$23,994

The amount of money that you need to be selected as a Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee will depend on other factors, such as whether you have a job in Newfoundland and Labrador or if you have relatives who can support you. We may ask for further information about your financial resources, as necessary.

How long will it take for me to receive a Canadian Permanent Resident Visa?

Processing times by the visa office will vary. Errors and omissions in documentation will delay processing of your application. Such errors and omissions may include:

• errors, omissions, inconsistencies or unsigned application forms
• missing documents, fees and photographs
• insufficient postage
• unclear photocopies
• documents not accompanied by a certified English or French translation
• a medical condition which may require additional tests
• family situations such as divorce, family support/maintenance issues or child custody matters
• failure to notify the Canadian visa office of a change of address.

Your application will be processed more quickly if you are careful in assembling your application to avoid these problems.

If I am currently applying for a Canadian visa under the Refugee Category, may I apply instead to the Provincial Nominee Class for consideration?

No. The Provincial Nominee Class has as its mandate the recruitment of individuals that have demonstrated skills over a period of years and possess other qualifications as required by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. However, a pre-assessment can be conducted on an individual's skills in special cases and, where warranted, an application can be made after the Refugee application has been canceled or refused.

Are there any costs associated with submitting a Provincial Nominee application?

Are there any costs associated with submitting a Provincial Nominee application? Yes. Once the application is complete it must be submitted to the address provided on the contact page. Accompanying the application must be a bank money order or other certified banking instrument, payable to the Newfoundland Exchequer Account in the amount of $150 (Canadian) for the Skilled Worker Category and $1,000 (Canadian) for the Immigrant Entrepreneur or the Immigrant Partner Category. This is a non-refundable application fee and its payment does not in any way guarantee an approval of an application.

Note: The processing fee for the Provincial Nominee application is separate from the fees required to accompany your immigration application at the Visa Office. Do not submit the fees for your immigration application (visa application). For information on fees that must accompany your immigration application, please refer to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (www.cic.gc.ca).

Am I required to visit Newfoundland and Labrador as part of this application process?

For skilled workers submitting applications in the Skilled Worker Category, the province may require the applicant to make an exploratory visit to Newfoundland and Labrador for a pre-nomination interview and to familiarize themselves with the local culture, quality of life and employment opportunities. If the skilled worker is currently employed in the province on a valid work permit, an interview will be required.

Individuals submitting applications in the Immigrant Entrepreneur category or the Immigrant Partner category will be required to make an exploratory visit to Newfoundland and Labrador to assess the business climate and specific investment opportunities. During the visit, potential applicants will meet with government officials from the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism, Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment for an official interview. There will also be opportunity to meet with industry associations, financial institutions, prospective business partners and cultural/community groups. Applicants will be asked to submit evidence (copies of airline tickets, accommodations, restaurant receipts, etc.) of their visit prior to departing the province.

Must I or others in my family attend an interview with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador?

Applicants who are required to visit the province will also be required to participate in an official interview with representatives from the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism, Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment . The objective of the interview would be to assess the applicant's knowledge of the province, the local business climate, and concerns or issues that the applicant may have, and to discuss the details of the applicant's proposed business or partnership.

Must I or others in my family attend an interview with the Visa Office?

When the province sends an applicant's Nomination Certificate to the appropriate visa office and the applicant's immigration application has been received by that visa office, a visa officer will review the application and decide whether or not an interview is necessary. If an interview is deemed necessary, the applicant will be required to attend that interview. Notification of the time and place of the interview will be given by the visa office involved. The spouse/common-law partner and dependent children less than 22 years or over will be asked to accompany the applicant. They may also request the applicant to bring further supporting documentation as outlined in the interview notification letter.

During the interview, the visa officer may ask about your work experience, education, reasons for emigrating, and resettlement plans. The officer may also ask about the family, spouse/common-law partner and/or dependents, health, financial situation or past difficulties with the law.

Your answers will help in the assessment of personal suitability, occupational or business adaptability, and overall ability to settle successfully in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Do I need a passport or travel document?

The applicant and dependents must have passports or travel documents that are valid. If any documents are about to expire, they should be renewed as soon as possible. Diplomatic, official, service or public affairs passports cannot be used to immigrate to Canada. You must have a valid regular or private passport upon arrival in Canada. The validity of a visa may be affected by the validity of a passport.

I cannot fit all the information on the application form.

The applicant should complete the application forms by printing and typing clearly and ensuring that all forms are signed. If more space is needed to answer questions, attach additional pages, with the extra information, to the appropriate form. When the form is signed, it becomes a legal document and the information provided must be truthful, complete and correct.

What if some of my information changes after I have submitted my Provincial Nominee Application?

Changes in personal information do require that the applicant inform both the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the visa office. Any changes in marital status, address, birth of a new child and any other changes that affect the information submitted on the application, should be communicated in writing, with accompanying supporting documents (i.e. birth, marriage, divorce certificates, education certificates, etc.) to the attention of a Program Officer, Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism, Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and to the visa office where the permanent residence application was submitted.

It is a serious offence under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (see Citizenship and Immigration Canada - www.cic.gc.ca) to knowingly make a false or misleading statement. If any information changes before arrival in Canada (even if a visa has already been issued), the applicant must inform the visa office in writing. Additional supporting documents may also be required as determined by the visa office.

Does it help to have a relative living in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Yes. If the principal applicant or the spouse/common-law partner has a close relative in Newfoundland and Labrador, it may have an impact on qualifying for the Nominee Program. The relative in Newfoundland and Labrador must be a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen who is 18 years of age or over. Documentation proving this relationship must be submitted with the Provincial Nominee application.