Nova Scotia Offers Immigration Pathway to Keep International Students Post-Graduation

Source: Nova Scotia News Release via Academica | June 6, 2014

Nova Scotia has made changes to its Provincial Nominee Program that are designed to make it easier for international students to immigrate to the province. As of June 6, international graduates who have a job offer in-hand from a NS employer will be able to apply for permanent residency through the program’s Skilled Worker stream. It is hoped that the changes will help NS retain skilled workers as well as help the province’s PSE institutions attract more international students. “International graduates are educated, they’ve made friends, they know the language, and they’re already familiar with all the great things Nova Scotia has to offer. Over the past year, there hasn’t been a provincial door open to help them stay. Today, that changes,” said NS Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab. Demand for university education in the maritime provinces has been decreasing, and NS and the federal government have made attracting international students a priority.

TCS Insights: Students looking to pursue higher education in Canada now have increased incentive to do so in Nova Scotia. If students can earn an offer of employment when their academic experience concludes will be able to attain permanent resident status sooner. This will benefits students looking to continue their lives in Nova Scotia as well as the province itself.