As part of Budget 2022: Change is in the air, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has eliminated fees under the Provincial Nominee Program effective immediately.
Staff with the provincial Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism provide an array of free services to newcomers and employers, including assistance with preparing and submitting applications through the Atlantic Immigration Program and the Provincial Nominee Program.
The fees eliminated include the $250 application fee for an individual applying as a skilled worker and the $1,000 application fee for an individual applying as an entrepreneur.
The removal of immigration application fees is the latest action that builds on a suite of initiatives to assist newcomers. A list of initiatives can be found in the backgrounder below.
This latest initiative will assist the province in reaching the ambitious goal of welcoming 5,100 newcomers annually by 2026, and positioning Newfoundland and Labrador as a national leader on immigration settlement and retention.
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“By eliminating immigration processing fees, we are again acknowledging the tremendous benefit newcomers bring to our province while making immigration more affordable. This is yet another reason to consider making a life in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills
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Jeremy Reynolds
Immigration, Population Growth and Skills
709-729-2377, 709-691-2298
jeremyreynolds@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Supports for newcomers provided by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Medical Care Plan (MCP) coverage:
- For all Ukrainians in Newfoundland and Labrador arriving on emergency travel visas;
- For international graduates extended to 90 days post-graduation, making it “best-in-class” coverage in Canada (full-time international students are already covered during their studies);
- One-of-a-kind ‘Job Matching’ initiative connecting skilled newcomers with local employers;
- Funding a unique-to-Canada Postgraduate Retention Coordinator with the School of Graduate Studies at Memorial University;
- Launching the Ukrainian Family Support Desk to connect people in Newfoundland and Labrador with family and friends in Ukraine with supports to gain safe haven in Newfoundland and Labrador, to collect offers for employment and housing for displaced Ukrainians, and to identify people who would like to volunteer to assist with resettlement;
- Expanding English language training for newcomers in St. John’s and Corner Brook;
- The Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (NLESD), with Provincial Government funding, is providing a nine-session webinar series for all teachers called “See Us, Learn Us: Teaching about the Black Canadian Experience.”;
- Designated January 29 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia – marked though statement by Ministerial Committee on Anti-Racism and lighting Confederation Building in green;
- Funding the YMCA of the Northeast Avalon to provide programs to improve employment skills and entrepreneurial support for newcomers;
- Funding for the Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland and Labrador to deliver free workshops and webinars focused on employment rights for newcomers;
- Funding the Association for New Canadians (ANC) Satellite Office Project to continue the operation of ANC satellite offices across the province;
- Amending the Corporations Act to make it easier for newcomers to start their own businesses;
- Funding community groups to host multicultural events across the province;
- Creating Priority Skills Newfoundland and Labrador to fast-track entry of highly skilled newcomers to the province;
- Working with the Government Canada to formalize and make permanent the Atlantic Immigration Program;
- Welcoming former Afghan refugees to Newfoundland and Labrador with a Ministerial Statement in the House of Assembly and direct engagement with the community; and
- Tackling the problem of Foreign Qualifications Recognition in a recent call for proposals.