Job Vacancy Assessment

The Job Vacancy Assessment (JVA) is a provincial labour market test designed to support Newfoundland and Labrador employers in identifying their labour force challenges and evaluating the need to recruit international workers to fill indeterminate, full-time positions in their organizations.

The JVA will determine both an employer’s eligibility and the identified vacant position(s) eligibility.

There is no cost for employers to apply for a JVA.

Upon the employer receiving a positive JVA, the prospective worker will apply for nomination under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee

Step 1: Review JVA Step by Step Process

Step 2: JVA Eligibility Criteria

Employers applying for a JVA must meet the following criteria:

  1. Established and operating in Newfoundland and Labrador
    • The employer must be permanently established in Newfoundland and Labrador, as defined by the federal Income Tax Act
    • The employer must demonstrate they have been in active business under current ownership and management, in Newfoundland and Labrador, for at least two (2) consecutive years. In exceptional circumstances, one (1) year may be accepted. Some exceptions include:
      • new business opened following closure/sale of previous successful business
      • business engaged with innovation/export markets
      • business located in rural region of Newfoundland and Labrador
  2. Employ permanent, full-time employees
    • Employers seeking to apply for a JVA must demonstrate they employ at least two (2) permanent (indeterminate), full-time, permanent resident or Canadian Citizens in the staff complement.
  3. Demonstrate Success in Retaining International Workers
    • Employers who have previously, or are currently availing of Newfoundland and Labrador immigration programs (Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program, Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program or Atlantic Immigration Program) must provide an update on their success in retaining workers they have hired under these programs.
  4. Applying to fill eligible position(s)
    • Position(s) must be for at least one (1) year in length, with the possibility of extension;
    • Require full- time hours (1,560 hours of paid employment over a minimum 12-month period and a minimum of 30h/week);
    • Be necessary for the company’s operations. The job duties must be consistent with the business activities of the company;
    • Meet the prevailing wage, which is defined as above the low wage, for that occupation, in the sub-provincial region of Newfoundland & Labrador in which the position is located (Note:Wage ranges for different occupations and regions of the province can be found on the Government of Canada Job Bank website Explore Careers by Wages Where sub-provincial wages for the occupation are unavailable, provincial or national wages will be followed;
    • The wage is within the wage range current employees are paid for the same job and work location, and with the same skills and years of experience;
    • The prospective worker will work on the company’s premises in Newfoundland and Labrador, or the applicant will work remotely from within Newfoundland and Labrador and the employer is also in Newfoundland and Labrador.
    • Ineligible Positions:
      • The prospective foreign worker has an ownership stake in the business, and the employee’s share of ownership exceeds 10 per cent;
      • The vacant position is for a contractual or locum position (short-term positions usually less than twelve (12) months in duration with little or no possibility of extension);
      • The vacant position is of a seasonal or cyclical nature, or is considered part-time;
      • The vacant position is not located in Newfoundland and Labrador, or the employee will work remotely from outside Newfoundland and Labrador;
      • The vacant position conflicts with any existing collective bargaining agreements or if there is a labour dispute involving either the employer or the applicant. In addition, positions that will affect the settlement of any labour dispute, or affect the employment of a person involved in such a dispute, will also be ineligible;
      • The vacant position is commission-based or the compensation is not in the form of a salary.
  5. Recruitment Efforts
    • If an employer is filling positions listed here, the employer is not required to provide details of recruitment efforts.
    • Employers filling any other position must provide:
      • Job advertisements
      • Recruitment Summary
  6. Settlement Assistance
    • Employers must provide details of any settlement supports that will be offered to prospective hire(s), such as:
      • Housing arrangements
      • Transportation costs
      • Private health care insurance
      • Spouse employment connections
      • Referral to local settlement service provider
  7. Third-Party Representatives
  8. Employer Compliance
    • Employers must confirm they are in compliance with the public bodies and their associated legislation, regulations, policies and procedures listed below:

Step 4: Required Documents

  1. Proof of continuous, active operation in Newfoundland and Labrador
    • Documentation may include:
      • Companies and Deeds Online (CADO) registration showing incorporation date and continued good standing.
      • If organization in not registered with CADO, CRA Business Remittance, Sole Proprietorship Taxes, etc. may be included;
      • Other documentation demonstrating continuous, active operation.
  2. WorkplaceNL Clearance
    • To request, click here
  3. Labour Standards Clearance Certificate
  4. Job Advertisements
    • Review JVA Job Advertisement Requirements here

Step 5: Submit online JVA Application

Employers will receive regular dashboard updates as the application moves through the assessment process. Applications not submitted within 90 days of the initiated date will expire and will no longer be available.

Immigration Accelerator
Online Application

Questions?
Contact the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills

 Job Vacancy Assessment Policies and Procedures

Please refer here for a list of JVA policies and procedures. It should be noted that policies and procedures are subject to change without notice.