Canada Immigration Update | Newfoundland and Labrador Immigration Demand

Newfoundland and Labrador is experiencing an immigration bottleneck due to record demand and the federal government’s limited immigration spots. The province’s immigration capacity for 2024 is nearly full, resulting in predicted delays in the processing of certain applications.

The Department of Immigration, Population Growth, and Skills works to ensure that the province’s workforce is diversified, well-educated, and skilled enough to meet changing labour market demands. This includes fostering an atmosphere that promotes economic growth, competitiveness, and prosperity.

Summary

• High Immigration Demand and Capacity Limits: Newfoundland and Labrador is facing unprecedented immigration demand in 2024, with the province’s immigration capacity virtually full, causing delays in some applications.
• Priority Areas Addressing Labour Shortages: To satisfy urgent labour market demands, the Department of Immigration is prioritizing applications in vital areas such as healthcare, early childhood education, and construction.
• Delays in the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and Provincial Nominee Programme (PNP): Final judgments for AIP applicants are expected in 2025, while NLPNP applications will be processed slowly in 2024, with typical deadlines resumed in January 2025.
• Significant Population Growth Through Immigration: In 2023, the province welcomed a record 5,485 new permanent residents, up from 3,495 in 2022, including a large number of Ukrainian immigrants displaced by Russia’s invasion.
• Need for Improved Federal-Provincial Cooperation: The federal government declined Newfoundland and Labrador’s request for a 15% increase in immigration spaces for 2024, emphasizing the importance of closer coordination to meet the province’s expanding labour market demands.

The Department has announced that it will prioritize applications in areas with substantial labour shortages, such as healthcare, early childhood education, and construction, while other applications may be processed more slowly.

This condition corresponds to the province’s prediction of increased immigration demand. However, the Federal Government declined Newfoundland and Labrador’s proposal for a 15% increase in immigration seats in 2024, leaving the province with insufficient ability to fulfill escalating demand.

The Impact of the Labour Shortage on Employers and Newcomers

The Department will prioritize submissions in province-critical manpower businesses. Healthcare, construction, and ECE employers can anticipate prioritization. Applications in other sectors will take longer, but urgent cases will be considered.

This means employers don’t expect a decision on AIP-sponsored applicants until 2025 when new immigration seats become available. These cases will be handled by Immigration Program Development Officers, who may request more documents from employers to reduce delays.

These delays will not affect NLPNP Job Vacancy Assessment applications or AIP designations, which will be handled on time.

AIP applicants may hear conclusions after January 1, 2025. In the meantime, companies may request more documentation. Immigration Program Development Officers may notify NLPNP applicants of missing or extra papers. To ensure rapid communication, newcomers must notify the Department of expiring work permits or other important matters.

Slower processing for the Provincial Nominee Program in 2024.

Because of the capacity crunch, NLPNP applications will take longer than usual, and those that are not processed in 2024 will be addressed the next year. The usual 25-day processing schedule for the Provincial Nominee Program is set to resume in January 2025.

Despite the delays, applications are still being accepted through the NLPNP and AIP. Newcomers are encouraged to contact the Department if they have urgent needs or if their documentation expires. Employers with queries or concerns should email attraction@gov.nl.ca, while people can send inquiries to pnp@gov.nl.ca.

Rising Immigration Numbers Despite Challenges

Although the province has capacity constraints, immigration has recently increased in Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2023, the province welcomed a record 5,485 new permanent residents, up significantly from 3,495 in 2022. This trend began in 2021 and is still rising, with new newcomers filling job openings.

According to Statistics Canada, immigration has fuelled the province’s population growth, which has increased for 14 consecutive quarters. The majority of these newcomers arrived with employment offers, emphasizing the importance of immigration in meeting the province’s labour market needs.

In addition, the province has made special efforts to welcome Ukrainians who have been displaced by Russia’s invasion. In 2023, Newfoundland and Labrador nominated 813 Ukrainians for permanent residency, up from just 35 in 2022. Many Ukrainians entered as temporary residents but have since decided to stay permanently in the province, adding to its rising population.

The need for federal-provincial cooperation.

The Newfoundland and Labrador immigration dilemma highlights the need for federal-provincial cooperation. In 2022 and 2023, the province proposed a 15% increase in immigration slots during the National Immigration Levels Planning consultation process, but the Federal Government declined. Newfoundland and Labrador are struggling to meet their growing need for competent labour despite their best efforts.

Employers and immigrants must be patient as the province struggles. The provincial government processes applications as efficiently as possible given its capabilities, but delays are expected.

The province administration is allowing new applications while controlling the issue, with faster processing expected by 2025. Despite these constraints, immigration drives population growth and economic stability in Newfoundland and Labrador, underlining the need for federal-provincial partnerships to satisfy labour market demands.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why is 2024 immigration delayed in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Due to high immigration demand and limited federal immigration spaces, Newfoundland and Labrador is experiencing immigration delays. Some applications take longer to process because the province is nearly filled for 2024. The Department of Immigration is prioritizing healthcare, construction, and early childhood education due to labour shortages, while other industries may face delays until 2025.

What sectors are Newfoundland and Labrador prioritizing for immigration?

The Newfoundland and Labrador Immigration Department prioritizes immigration petitions for areas with significant labour shortages. Healthcare, early childhood education, and construction are priorities. Employers in certain areas might expect faster approvals. Urgent cases will be considered despite slower processing timeframes in other sectors. This prioritizing addresses labour market needs while managing the province’s 2024 immigration capacity.

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