The Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, through its Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism, is enhancing the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) with the launch of a new International Graduate category. This will enable international students who have recently graduated from a recognized Newfoundland and Labrador post-secondary educational institution to be considered for nomination for permanent residence in Canada.

"The addition of the International Graduate category builds on our immigration strategy by strengthening the ability of the province to attract and retain immigrants who are motivated to settle in the province," said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. "International students are very successful in integrating professionally and socially in our province. They represent an untapped source of employees that can help alleviate the labour market challenges we are likely to face in the near future."

According to Statistics Canada, by 2012, all of Canada�s net labour force growth will come from immigration. International students are identified in the Provincial Immigration Strategy as a pool of highly skilled individuals, possessing professional credentials recognized in Canada, and have the language skills required to participate in the local labour market.

The International Graduate category focuses on those who have established strong ties to Newfoundland and Labrador and intend to live and work in the province.

To meet eligibility requirements, the applicant must have:

1. Graduated within the last two years from a program of at least two academic years of full-time study in Newfoundland and Labrador and have received a certificate, diploma or degree from a recognized provincial post-secondary institution;
2. A full-time job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer in his/her field of study or a related field of study; OR
3. A proven attachment to the local labour market for a period of at least six months;

(d) A valid work permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Applicants filing under the International Graduate category will not be required to pay an administrative fee and will be given priority processing by the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism.

Since April 2007, 24 graduates from Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic have been nominated under the Skilled Worker category of the PNP. The nominees are engaged in a variety of occupations including engineering, information technology, health and hospitality services.

An expanded PNP is a key part of the $6 million Provincial Immigration Strategy, Diversity ~ Opportunity and Growth. Under an agreement with the Government of Canada, individuals nominated under the Provincial Nominee Program are given priority processing through the federal immigration system.

"The Provincial Immigration Strategy aims to triple the number of immigrants who choose Newfoundland and Labrador as their new home," said Minister Skinner. "Through this initiative our government can add to the richness of culture in our province and continue to build a self-reliant and prosperous future."

An application kit and complete set of guidelines for the International Graduate category are available at: www.nlpnp.ca or by contacting the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism at 709-729-6607.

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Media contact:
Ronalda Walsh
Director of Communications
Human Resources, Labour and Employment
729-0753, 699-7903
ronaldawalsh@gov.nl.ca