Newfoundland Plans 50 Percent Increase in Immigration Numbers by 2022

Newfoundland and Labrador government is thinking to increase annual immigration numbers. Their intention is to enhance current intake numbers up to 50%, by offering 1,700 permanent immigration visas each year.

The immigration office declared this target while launching the latest strategy document in St. John’s, a provincial capital. The title of the plan goes this way, “The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Important Aspects of the Plan

Gerry Byrne, the Provincial Labor Minister shared some thoughts while launching this plan. “Even in this economy you could argue because of this economy there are skill sets that are left unfulfilled and unanswered. The argument is actually made and effectively made; this is the best time to come to Newfoundland and Labrador.”

The 26-page document also includes such efforts, necessary to enhance immigrant retention figures. Moreover, it lays stress over devising strategies to persuade Newfoundlanders to come back and settle in their home province.

This plan consists of two main phases. The first phase relates to the year 2017, while the other one covers 2018 to 2022. There are 39 initiatives in total, which provides an outline for the plan. However, 24 out of these initiatives will come into action during the first phase.

Initiatives

The initiatives for the year 2017 are as follows.

• Improving and expanding the immigration websites of provincial government
• Engaging third parties for settlement services
• Introduce new and improved procedures regarding processing of an application
• Try to include new categories forNewfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)

The province is planning to include further initiatives by 2022. The initial plan also includes the proposal of setting up a new portal for managing the applications. This will allow employers and applicants to track down their respective applications regarding NLPNP.

At present, newcomers can utilize various ways to settle in the province as permanent residents.

The NLPNP

This particular program offers streams for skilled workers. It also includes those skilled workers, who come under the ambit of federal Express Entry pool. The NLPNP is currently responsible for almost 50 percent of the total immigration process of the province.

{Read More About Nominee Programs: Canadian Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP)}

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP)

This is a new arrival for the year 2017. The AIPP allows Atlantic Provinces to encourage more graduates and workers to come and settle in these provinces. Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, N.L and New Brunswick will carry out AIPP, in collaboration with the federal government. The AIPP offers these two programs related to skilled workers.

• Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program
• Atlantic High-Skilled Program(AHSP)

International student graduates can apply through the program mentioned below.

• Atlantic International Graduate Program(AIGP)

Federal programs

The Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC) is one of the economic immigration programs, operated by the government of Canada. The department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), helps the government in this context.

Following are the programs, which work under Express Entry selection system.

• The Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC)
• TheCanadian Experience Class (CEC).

Newcomers willing to settle permanently in Newfoundland may seek immigration as refugees or through a family sponsorship programs.