Newfoundland and Labrador: EOI System Debut Targets Needed Talent Precisely
On April 8, the Immigration Office of Newfoundland and Labrador announced that it had successfully issued its first batch of immigration invitations through its brand-new online Expression of Interest (EOI) system. This milestone draw invited a total of 256 candidates, marking a major shift in the province’s immigration selection mechanism.
Specifically, the invitations included:
- Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP): 206 invitations
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): 50 invitations
Candidates who received NLPNP invitations may now formally apply for provincial nomination, while those invited under the AIP can proceed to apply for provincial endorsement.
Notably, this draw was not random but strategically focused. The provincial government prioritized the following groups:
- Foreign nationals with full-time job offers in in-demand occupations within the province;
- Applicants currently residing in Newfoundland and Labrador;
- Candidates with job opportunities located in rural or remote areas of the province.
Additionally, having graduated from a post-secondary institution in Newfoundland and Labrador was considered an advantage.
The EOI system, officially launched in February this year, requires interested applicants to first submit their personal information online to create an EOI profile. Immigration officers assess and screen these profiles based on specific criteria, and only selected candidates receive invitations to submit formal applications for provincial nomination or AIP endorsement.
In a press release, the province stated that adopting the EOI system aims to create a “more streamlined and efficient economic immigration process that better aligns with the province’s evolving labor market needs and addresses the reduced immigration processing capacity due to federal application cap limits.” Before this system was implemented, foreign nationals could usually apply directly through the province’s relevant immigration streams.
New Brunswick: Multiple Draws Focus on Targeted Industries and Experience
During the same week (April 6–12), New Brunswick’s Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) was also highly active, conducting several targeted invitation rounds.
April 7–8 Draws
NBPNP issued a total of 432 invitations during this period, mainly under the following two streams:
- NB Skilled Worker Stream – New Brunswick Experience
- NB Skilled Worker Stream – New Brunswick Graduates
These draws focused on candidates working in the following sectors:
- Construction Trades
- Education, Social & Community Services
- Healthcare
Additionally, the province specifically invited candidates whose work permits are set to expire in 2025 and who are working in the following industries:
- Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Forestry
- Information Technology (IT)
- Manufacturing
- Professional Occupations*
- Transportation
*Note: "Professional Occupations" here refer only to roles beginning with 1000 or 2000 in Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) system, which correspond to TEER 0, 1, or 2 levels.
April 9 Draw
On April 9, NBPNP held another draw under the NB Express Entry Stream – Employment in New Brunswick, issuing 45 invitations.
Candidates invited in this round had to meet one key requirement: full-time employment with a New Brunswick employer for the past 12 months.
Similar to earlier draws, this round also prioritized candidates working in the following fields:
- Construction Trades
- Education, Social & Community Services
- Healthcare
New Brunswick’s recent draw activities clearly show the province’s strategic use of its Provincial Nominee Program to precisely attract talent capable of filling local labor shortages—especially in critical sectors like construction, healthcare, and education—as well as those with local work or study experience.
