Nova Scotia offers permanent residency to expat graduates from Canadian unis

In a bid to retain overseas students graduating from Canadian universities, Nova Scotia is offering permanent residency visas to those with job offers from NS employers.

The move will make it easier for foreign graduates to settle in Canada after they’ve gained their degrees, and is expected to attract a considerable number of overseas students to Canadian universities and higher education colleges. At present, the province attracts around 7,000 students from overseas every year, although few have applied to stay as yet.

According to a press release, students will now have an avenue leading to full immigration, residency and possible citizenship, provided they have a job offer after their graduation. One such student with a Master of Finance degree agrees that the programme will encourage banks to employ graduates from overseas.

The province’s population is declining at present ,with the fall in numbers expected to accelerate over the next two decades. Canadian young people are leaving to find jobs in other provinces, and big cities, with easier immigration procedures being introduced to fill the gap..

The policy change has the full approval of the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration and Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The programme itself will be offered through the Nova Scotia Nominee scheme, with provincial authorities nominating potential immigrants and Immigration Canada responsible for final approval.