[SYDNEY, NS] — The provincial minister responsible for immigration says changes to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program should actually open the doors to more people.
"International graduates will now be encouraged to apply for permanent residency through the federal Canadian Experience Class," said Marilyn More. "This eliminates the need for the international graduate stream in the Nova Scotia Nominee Program, opening the door for more skilled workers."
The nominee program is used to recruit and select immigrants who intend to settle in Nova Scotia. The international graduate stream will close March 28. The Nova Scotia Office of Immigration will accept applications until March 28. After March 28, international graduates interested in gaining permanent residence status in Canada will now be encouraged to apply through the federal Canada Experience Class.
To qualify under the Canadian Experience Class you must be an international graduate from a Canadian post-secondary institution with at least one year of full-time or equivalent skilled work experience in this country, having gained experience in Canada with the proper work or study authorization, and have applied while working in Canada or within one year of leaving your job in Canada.
Some students have said they’re worried about how the program changes will affect them since many took advantage of the international graduate stream as an opportunity to settle in this province.
More says statistics show that nominees who are skilled workers are more likely to bring family members with them, increasing the overall number of immigrants to the province.
“This means more than 180 families will be able to apply through the provincial program, while continuing to welcome international graduates through federal opportunities,” said More. “We are successfully marketing the province internationally — attracting and keeping more immigrants. We will continue to lobby the federal government for more immigrants to help us address existing and anticipated labour shortages.
Keith Brown, Cape Breton University’s vice-president external, says that while CBU actively recruits international students, it does so with the understanding that the students are coming for the programs.
