Ottawa has approved 1,000 extra spaces for the NL Provincial Nominee Program, lifting the province's 2026 allocation by 54 per cent. Where the spaces are going, and who benefits.
Newfoundland and Labrador can now nominate 1,000 more people for permanent residence in 2026. The federal government approved the increase in August, and the province has put all of it into the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP).
The new numbers
| Program | Before the increase | After the increase |
|---|---|---|
| NL Provincial Nominee Program | 1,379 | 2,379 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 475 | 475 |
| Total | 1,854 | 2,854 |
The extra 1,000 spaces are a 54 per cent increase on the province's original 2026 allocation of 1,854. Compared with 2025, when the province had 2,525 spaces, the 2026 total is 329 higher.
Who the spaces are for
The province says the added capacity will help it respond to the workforce and demographic needs of employers, particularly in rural communities, and in healthcare, education and social support.
Activity so far
- By September 10, 2026, the province had issued 2,198 NLPNP invitations and 394 Atlantic Immigration Program endorsement invitations.
- Reported processing times in early September were about 13 months for base NLPNP applications, 7 months for Express Entry-linked applications and 26 months for the Atlantic Immigration Program.
What it means for you
If you work in healthcare, education or social support, or have a job offer from an employer in Newfoundland and Labrador, this is a good moment to look at the province seriously. As with any nominee program, you must genuinely intend to live there.
Want this applied to your own case?
General guidance only. Your circumstances decide what actually applies, and the first conversation is free.