The province is looking to attract highly educated and highly skilled newcomers to stay.
On November 18, Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial government declared a new immigration pathway that will wish to maintain newcomers who are already in the province.
The new immigration pathway, Priority Skills Newfoundland and Labrador, under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP), will focus on highly educated and highly skilled applicants with work experience in specialized industries for such as technology. The program is anticipated to launch on January 2, 2021.
This move will try to address the province’s labour deficiency in certain high-development sectors. The new pathway comes as a reaction to employers’ growing demand for skilled and experienced workers, the province said in a media release.
Who is eligible for the Priority Skills pathway?
Masters or PhD graduates of Memorial University who graduated inside the previous three years related to information and communication technology, sea technology, healthcare, agriculture and aquaculture.
Moreover, professionals with work experience in the following highly skilled high-demand occupations will be think about:
- Software Developer
- Biomedical Engineer
- UI/UX Developer
- Electrical Engineer
- AI Developer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Python Developer
- .NET Developer
- Infrastructure Engineer
- Security Specialist
- Cloud Specialist
- Bioinformatician
- Computer Network Support
People are also needed to demonstrate their language expertise in English by taking one of the following language tests and scoring equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark level 5 or over.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS),
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP).
Other ways to immigrate to Newfoundland and Labrador
The NLPNP is divided into five classifications: Express Entry Skilled Worker class, Skilled Worker class, International Graduate classification, International Entrepreneur classification and the International Graduate Entrepreneur class.
The Express Entry Skilled Worker class permits the province to designate skilled workers through Canada’s federal Express Entry system. Designated members need to have employment offers in the province.
The Skilled Worker class targets people who have obtained a employment offer from an employer in the province. This class also targets those who are already working in the province on a legitimate work permit.
The International Graduate classification is for recent graduates who are holders of the Post-Graduate Work Permit. They should have an employment or an employment offer in the province.
The International Entrepreneur class is for the individuals who want to settle in the province and start or buy a business. Applicants are needed to operate their business for one year in the province before applying.
The International Graduate Entrepreneur classification provides a pathway to permanent residence for international graduates who want to start or operate a business inside the province.
Besides these five classes, people who want to settle in Newfoundland and Labrador also have the option of giving an application by the Atlantic Immigration Pilot. To qualify, applicants should also have an employment offer in the province.
About Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is Canada‘s easternmost province with two separate land masses: Labrador is associated with territory Canada, and Newfoundland is an island.
The province has a developing economy, because of its energy and resources boom. Crucial industries in the province incorporate financial services, healthcare, mining, fishing, oil production and manufacturing.
Most of the populace live in the provincial capital of St. John’s, one of the oldest cities in North America that progress a rich history. The city also has an fantastic architectural landscape, with buildings that have a very different look from from other cities in Canada.
