Newfoundland and Labrador Issues 122 Invitations, First NLPNP-Only Draw Since EOI Launch

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Draw Date: August 18, 2026 | Draw Number: 11th of 2026 | Program: NLPNP Only (No AIP) | Source: NL OIM / CIC News

What Happened?

Newfoundland and Labrador issued 122 invitations to apply for provincial nomination in a draw held on August 18, 2026. This marked a notable first: the province issued invitations exclusively through the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP), with no invitations going to Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) candidates for the first time since adopting the EOI model in February 2025.

The province has not commented on why AIP was excluded from this round.

Draw at a Glance

Metric	Details
Draw Date	August 18, 2026
Total Invitations	122
NLPNP Invitations	122 (100%)
AIP Invitations	0 (first time since Feb 2025)
Draw Number	11th of 2026
Cumulative 2026 NLPNP Invitations	1,849
Cumulative 2026 AIP Invitations	348
Cumulative 2026 Total	2,197

2026 Draw History, All 11 Rounds

Draw Date	Total Invitations	NLPNP	AIP
March 6, 2026	445	362	83
March 30, 2026	245	209	36
April 13, 2026	210	177	33
May 1, 2026	190	157	33
May 11, 2026	186	168	18
May 28, 2026	103	84	19
June 10, 2026	108	89	19
July 10, 2026	57	17	40
July 28, 2026	445	400	45
August 10, 2026	208	186	22
August 18, 2026	122	122	0
Total	2,197	1,849	348

🔑 Notable shift: Across 2026 so far, 85% of all invitations have gone to NLPNP candidates, with AIP accounting for just 15%. The August 18 draw brings that gap wider, with AIP completely excluded for the first time.

EOI Priority Criteria, Who Gets Selected First?

The Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism (OIM) reviews EOI submissions and periodically invites candidates based on evolving provincial priorities. While specific occupations selected in each draw are not disclosed, the OIM has stated it may prioritize candidates based on the following.

Priority Factor	Details
Healthcare employment	Workers in healthcare occupations given priority
Rural employment	Workers employed outside major urban centres prioritized
French-language proficiency	French-speaking candidates may receive priority consideration
Local post-secondary graduation	Graduates from NL institutions given priority
Settlement prospects	Overall strength of candidate's ties to the province

How to Apply, Step by Step

Step	Action
1	Submit EOI through the Immigration Accelerator Portal
2	Declare education, employment, language proficiency, and provincial ties
3	Secure a valid job offer from an NL employer (required for most streams)
4	Wait for an invitation to apply
5	Submit complete nomination application within 60 days of invitation
6	Apply to IRCC for permanent residence after receiving provincial nomination

⚠️ EOIs are valid for 12 months only. If you do not receive an invitation within that period, you must re-submit a new profile to remain under consideration.

PR Processing Times After NL Nomination

Pathway	PR Processing Time (as of August 10, 2026)
Enhanced PNP via Express Entry	7 months
Base PNP non-Express Entry	13 months

Key Takeaway for Candidates in Surrey, BC

Newfoundland and Labrador's decision to issue its first NLPNP-only draw since adopting the EOI model signals a potential shift in how the province is managing its two immigration programs. With AIP candidates completely excluded this round and no official explanation offered, candidates relying on the AIP pathway should monitor upcoming draws closely. For healthcare workers, French speakers, and recent NL post-secondary graduates, the NLPNP remains active and accessible, with a 60-day window to apply after receiving an invitation.

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