The Provincial Government today announced Priority Skills Newfoundland and Labrador, a new immigration pathway under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP). Launching on January 2, 2021, the pathway will attract highly educated, highly skilled newcomers with specialized experience working in sectors such as technology, where a growing demand has outpaced local training and recruitment.

Employers in high-growth sectors requiring specific skills have been asking for the new pathway because their attempts to recruit locally have not met the growing demand for skilled and experienced workers.

Priority Skills Newfoundland and Labrador will be open to persons who have one or more of the following advanced academic or specialized qualifications in priority sectors such as information and communications technology, oceans technology, health care, agriculture and aquaculture:

• Memorial University Masters or PhD degree graduates, whose studies have been completed within the last three years; or
• Exceptionally qualified individuals who have worked in a specialized, highly skilled, high-demand occupation for at least one year.

Someone meeting eligibility criteria will be assessed on their expression of interest and may be invited to submit an application under the NLPNP. More information can be found in the backgrounder below.

The list of in-demand occupations will be revisited on a regular basis, to best address provincial labour priorities.

Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Provincial Government continues to plan for future growth and to meet the 2022 target of increasing immigration to 2,500 new permanent residents annually.

Eligibility Requirements for Priority Skills Newfoundland and Labrador

Priority Skills Newfoundland and Labrador will be open to persons who have one or more of the following advanced academic or specialized qualifications in priority sectors such as information and communications technology, ocean technology, health care, agriculture and aquaculture:

• Memorial University Masters or PhD degree graduates, whose studies have been completed within the last three years; or
• Exceptionally qualified individuals who have worked in a specialized, highly skilled, high-demand occupation for at least one year in the past decade.

For individuals with work experience, consideration will be given for in-demand occupations, such as the following:

Engineers and Developers:

• Software Developer
• Biomedical Engineer
• UI/UX Developer
• Electrical Engineer
• AI Developer
• Mechanical Engineer
• Python Developer
• NET Developer
• Infrastructure Engineer

Technical Specialists:

• Security Specialist
• Cloud Specialist
• Bioinformatician
• Computer Network Support

In order to be eligible for Priority Skills Newfoundland and Labrador, individuals need to have taken an IELTS or CELPIP language test within the last twelve months and scored equivalent to CLB level 5 or higher. Additionally, all candidates must be at least 21 years old at the time of application.

Priority is given to people who have work experience on this province or have graduated from the Memorial University in the last three years.