Newfoundland Immigration Invitations Dip in Second May Draw

Newfoundland and Labrador issued 186 invitations to immigration candidates in its latest provincial draw, held on May 11, 2026.

The selection round was the province’s fifth immigration draw of the year and its second draw in May. Invitations were issued through two pathways: the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program and the Atlantic Immigration Program.

The provincial nominee program received most of the invitations. A total of 168 candidates were invited through the NLPNP, while 18 were invited through the Atlantic Immigration Program.

NLPNP candidates receive most invitations

The May 11 draw continued a pattern seen throughout Newfoundland and Labrador’s 2026 immigration rounds. Most invitations have gone to candidates under the provincial nominee program.

In this latest draw, NLPNP candidates received 90.3 per cent of all invitations. The province did not say which NLPNP streams were included or which job sectors were selected.

However, the province’s Expression of Interest selection criteria show that health and health-related jobs remain a strong priority. This is due to continuing labour shortages in the province’s health-care system.

Invitation numbers continue to fall

The latest draw had the lowest number of invitations issued by the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism so far this year.

It also followed a steady decline in invitation numbers across all 2026 draws.

On March 6, the province issued 445 invitations. That total dropped to 245 on March 30, then 210 on April 13. On May 1, Newfoundland and Labrador invited 190 candidates. The May 11 draw lowered the total again, to 186.

Despite the decline, the province has still issued more invitations this year than it did during the same period in 2025.

More invitations than last year

So far in 2026, Newfoundland and Labrador has issued 1,276 invitations through the NLPNP and Atlantic Immigration Program.

About 84.1 per cent of those invitations have gone through the NLPNP, showing the province’s continued focus on its provincial nomination pathway.

Between January 1 and May 11, 2025, the province held two draws and issued 584 invitations through both programs. During the same period this year, it has issued 692 more invitations.

The province also began issuing invitations earlier in 2026. Its first draw this year took place on March 6 and included 445 invitations. In 2025, the first draw was held on April 3 and included 256 invitations.

How candidates are selected

Candidates who want to immigrate through the NLPNP or the Atlantic Immigration Program must first submit an Expression of Interest to the province.

In most cases, they must also have a valid job offer from an employer in Newfoundland and Labrador. The main exception is for entrepreneur-focused streams under the NLPNP.

Candidates provide details about their occupation, education, language skills, and plans to settle in the province. The Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism then reviews profiles and invites strong candidates to apply.

After receiving an invitation, candidates have 60 days to submit an application. Under the Atlantic Immigration Program, the employer submits the application. Under the NLPNP, the candidate applies.

An Expression of Interest remains active for 12 months before it expires.