Express Entry Skilled Worker

The Express Entry Skilled Worker Category is a path to immigration to Newfoundland and Labrador whereby skilled individuals who have been accepted into Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Express Entry pool; who have a job offer in Newfoundland and Labrador; and, who have the intent to reside permanently in this province can be nominated.

Individuals nominated by the NLPNP will receive additional points under the Comprehensive Ranking System, resulting in an Invitation to Apply for Canadian permanent residence. The federal government has stated that it will process the majority of Express Entry applications in six months or less, making this a much faster immigration option than previously available.

Below are details to the following:

• Minimum Requirements for Applicants
• Minimum Requirements for Employers
• Points Assessment Grid
• When Not to Apply

Minimum Requirements for Applicants

To be eligible under this category, a candidate must:

• Be accepted into CIC Express Entry pool;
• Have a full-time offer of employment from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer;
  • The offer must not contravene existing bargaining unit agreements or interfere with a labour dispute.
• Have a valid work permit or be entitled to apply for one;
• Have a Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma, or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from a CIC designated agency;
• Demonstrate genuine intention and ability to settle permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador;
• Provide satisfactory language test results from a designated testing agency;
• Score a minimum of 60 points out of 100 on the PNP point assessment grid (found below); and
• Show proof of sufficient settlement funds or financial resources to successfully establish themselves and any dependents in the province. The funds required varies depending on family size according to the following table:

Minimum Requirements for Employers

Employers supporting an application under the NL Express Entry Skilled Worker category must:

• Offer a job with a compensation package that meets provincial employment standards and prevailing wage rates; and
• Demonstrate that they have made a genuine and significant effort to recruit qualified Canadians or permanent residents for the position before extending the offer to the candidate.

Points Assessment Grid

Applicants must score at minimum 60 out of 100 points on a points assessment grid that measures five factors: education and training, skilled work experience language ability, age, and connection(s) to the province's labour market and adaptability.

Factor 1: Education and Training

Applicants are required to have, at minimum, a degree, diploma, or certificate that required the completion of at least one year of full-time post-secondary study. An ECA is used to verify that the candidate's foreign degree, diploma, certificate (or other proof of credentials) is valid and equal to a completed credential in Canada and will indicate the authenticity of the foreign educational credential(s).

The applicant’s education points are calculated based on documented proof of completed post-secondary education and/or training programs from nationally or provincially recognized institutions/regulatory bodies. Therefore, applicants are required to submit copies of any pertinent diplomas, certificates or degrees for education or training along with complete transcripts.

Factor 2: Skilled Work Experience

Candidates are required to have skilled work experience in a NOC 0, A, or B occupation. The minimum requirement varies according to the candidate's field of education or training:

• At least one year of work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled profession (non-trades); OR
• At least two years of work experience in a skilled trade within the past five years; OR
• At least one year of skilled work experience in Canada in the past three years (trades and nontrades).

Points are calculated according to documented proof of skilled work experience within the 10 most recent years prior to application. Applicants are rewarded three points for each year worked in the most recent five years, and an additional point for each year from the six to 10 year period prior to applying. Documentation must include:

• A letter of reference from the supervisor or human resources officer for each work experience listed; OR
  • Letters of reference must be printed on company letterhead,
  • They must state the job title, job duties, wage, and duration of employment.
• The applicant’s official work book; OR
• Other official government documentation.

Factor 3: Language Ability

Candidates are awarded a maximum of 27 points for their language abilities in either English or French - candidates are advised to choose the language they are most comfortable with. Points are calculated based on valid language test results from a designated testing agency. The test results must match the language level the candidate declared in his or her Express Entry profile.

NLPNP-approved language tests include the following:

• English:
  • CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (General test only)
  • IELTS: International English Language Testing System (General Training test only)
• French:
  • TEF: Test d’évaluation de français

“CLB” refers to Canadian Language Benchmarks.

Factor 4: Age

Candidates are awarded points based on their age on the date of application to the NLPNP.

Factor 5: Connection to Labour Market and Adaptability

Applicants are awarded points based on documented proof of their strong connection to Newfoundland and their genuine intention and ability to settle and economically establish in the province. If candidates will be accompanied by a spouse or common-law partner, he or she can earn points under this factor as well. However, candidates cannot claim points for a spouse who is a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident.

When Not to Apply

Candidates are considered NOT eligible under the NL Express Entry Skilled Worker category if they:

• Have not been accepted into the Express Entry pool;
• Did not score at least 60 out of 100 points on the Point Assessment Grid;
• Are refugee claimants in Canada or failed refugee claimants;
• Fail to submit documentation as requested by PNP staff;
• (Or any dependent family member over the age of 18, whether or not they are accompanying them) have a criminal record;
• Have unresolved custody or child support disputes. These issues must be resolved prior to starting the immigration application process; or
• Have intentionally misrepresented information in the application.