The Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism (OIM) essential services for newcomers and employers, including immigration application screening and processing, will continue at a reduced volume until further notice:

• OIM will continue to accept Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) applications through the online application portal: https://apps.gov.nl.ca/immigration/home/home/login .
• OIM will no longer accept paper applications for the NLPNP. Please refer to the link for details: https://www.gov.nl.ca/immigration/news-and-updates/office-of-immigration-and-multiculturalism-completes-electronic-application-transition/
• OIM will no longer accept Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIP) paper applications. Employers are asked to scan and send AIP applications by email to immigration@gov.nl.ca. Employees who are in the process of providing documentation to employers as part of an AIP application should do so electronically.
• If you are a designated employer, your designation will remain valid until further notice. Designated employers can contact their assigned Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada officer with the Federal Dedicated Service Channel. For provincial enquiries, please email immigration@gov.nl.ca.
• OIM will continue to process Job Vacancy Assessment (JVA) applications.
• For employers whose employees are currently overseas: The Federal Government has closed its borders to most non-residents from outside Canada. This means that unless direction changes, it will not be possible for your future employees to obtain a work permit until this restriction is lifted. Their application will still be processed by the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism, but workers will likely not be able to arrive in Canada in the near future. We do not have a timeframe for when these border restrictions will be lifted by the Federal Government. Please continue to follow Federal Government announcements on international travel.
• For employers whose employees are in Canada: Application processing will continue at a reduced volume. As mentioned above, all NLPNP and AIP applications are being accepted in electronic format only.
• For employees with permanent residency applications in process: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has informed that biometrics testing for applicants is currently suspended until April 13, 2020. For individuals who have received Confirmation of Permanent Residency notifications, please wait until there is communication on your options to land in Canada.
• OIM’s E-mail services to employers and newcomers directly impacted by the COVID-19 issues will continue. For any relevant questions, please e-mail immigration@gov.nl.ca. We appreciate your patience as we handle a higher than normal volume of calls.
• All one-on-one information sessions with international students and graduates, public and employer information sessions are temporarily suspended. However, information webinars on immigration programs will continue to be available. Please visit https://www.gov.nl.ca/immigration/immigrating-to-newfoundland-and-labrador/atlantic-immigration-pilot-program/workers/webinars-pathways-to-immigrating-to-newfoundland-and-labrador/ to register for the free webinars.
• Please note that the Federal Government is responsible for processing and issuing work permits, and for processing and evaluating federal applications for permanent residence.
• Applicants can monitor processing times related to work permits or federal applications for permanent residence on the Federal Government website: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugeescitizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html

IMPORTANT WEBSITES:

For updates regarding immigration and the Novel Coronavirus COVID-19, please monitor the IRCC website detailing special measures to help temporary and permanent residents and applicants affected by COVID‑19: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-special-measures.html.

For the most up-to-date information from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on COVID-19, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19.

For information on Government of Canada support for workers and businesses, please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/canadas-covid-19-economic-response-plan-support-for-canadians-and-businesses.html.

Employment Insurance sickness benefits are available to people who are unable to work due to illness, injury or quarantine, but who would be available to work if it were not for their medical condition. International workers (migrant workers, Provincial nominees, Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program endorsees) are subject to the same eligibility requirements as other workers in Canada. More details on eligibility criteria can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-sickness/qualify.html. For a general list of recently announced supports available to employers, please visit the Government of Canada website here: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html#business

Temporary Foreign Workers (migrant workers) in Canada with a work permit can apply with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to extend their work permit to remain in Canada as a temporary worker or apply to stay as a visitor. If they are no longer working, workers can apply to change their status from worker to visitor as long as the work permit has not expired. Workers who intend to continue working may be able to extend their work permit or study permit, if they are eligible. If the work permit has already expired and it has been less than 90 days, workers can apply to restore status. If it has been more than 90 days since the worker’s status has expired, the worker may be eligible to apply for a temporary resident permit. With a temporary resident permit, workers can remain in Canada with legal status. Please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-special-measures.html for more information.

Provincial nominees and endorsees are requested to inform the OIM of any changes in their employment or immigration situation, including changes in the number of hours of employment, temporary layoffs, or any other updates relevant to their immigration file.