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Provincial Nominee Program Presentation for International Students and Graduates September 22, 2007. Immigration Strategy. First provincial immigration strategy released March 2007. Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism (OIM) established.
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Provincial Nominee Program Presentation for International Students and Graduates September 22, 2007
Immigration Strategy • First provincial immigration strategy released March 2007. • Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism (OIM) established. • Provincial Nominee Program transferred from INTRD to Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism. • Retention of international students identified as a key goal.
International Students & Graduates • Over 1000 international students enrolled in provincial institutions. • Possess recognized credentials. • Possible local work experience. • Ties to the local community. • Growing economy provides opportunities for employment.
What is the Provincial Nominee Program • The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a result of an agreement with Citizenship and Immigration Canada. • The PNP enables the province to nominate individuals for immigration. • Individuals who have a strong commitment to maintaining a residence in the Province will have greater chance of being nominated.
Program Objectives • To enhance the provincial economy through the immigration of skilled workers and entrepreneurs. • To address particular skill shortages/gaps in identified sectors and regions of the province. • To attract entrepreneurs with the appropriate skills and capital to create new jobs. • To increase our population base.
Program Categories • Skilled Worker - guaranteed job offer from a local employer or are currently employed on a work permit with a local employer. • Entrepreneur Category: establish a new business or purchase an existing business, intend to be self-employed in the business and reside in the province. • Immigrant Partner Category: invest in a local company.
Skilled Worker Category • Eligible applicants are required to have: • specialized skills that are deemed as having critical impact on the operations of the employer; • bona fide offer of paid employment • The employer will have to ensure that the applicant’s skills could not have been met locally and /or that the position was extremely difficult to fill.
Skilled Worker Category cont’d • Provincial credentials standards and/or professional licensing requirements must be successfully completed prior to nomination. • In some cases, OIM will cooperate with the employer to obtain a work permit. • Healthcare sector- OIM will require applicants to work for at least 6 months before they are eligible to apply.
The Application Process • Applicant completes the Self-Assessment form - score of 50 points is required. • Complete Skilled Worker forms and attach supporting documents. • Employment Offer completed by employer. • Processing Fee reduced to $150
The Application Process cont’d • Additional information may be requested at any time. • Applicants may be required to attend an interview. • Average processing time – 3 to 6 weeks. • Additional staff will further reduce processing time.
Next Steps: Successful Applicants • Successful applicants will be issued a Certificate of Nomination. • Certificate is forwarded to a Canadian Embassy. • Applicants submit permanent residence application to same Embassy. • Application is processed as a PN category.
Why Choose the PNP? • Nomination = NL Sponsorship of federal immigration application. • Applicants will have direct access to visa office via OIM. • Processing of the permanent residence application will be expedited. • Work permits
Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism Responsibilities • Conduct due diligence to validate information submitted on applications. • Confirm employment. • Make a determination on commitment to reside in the province.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada Responsibilities • CIC will conduct security, admissibility, and medical screening and interviews when necessary. • CIC will consider the issuance of work permits at the request of OIM. • CIC has sole responsibility for issuing permanent residence visa.
Future of PNP • OIM committed to the enhancement of PNP; • International Graduate category • Family Connection category • Other • Increase promotion of PNP to local employers. • Create awareness among employers of the benefits of hiring international graduates.
Can PNP work for you? YES IT CAN! • You can apply for nomination: • Job offer or employed in field of study or related field • Work permit Make an appointment with a Program Officer to discuss your eligibility.
Contact Information • PNP website www.nlpnp.ca • Email pnp@gov.nl.ca • Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism http://www.hrle.gov.nl.ca/hrle/immigration/english/index.htm • Citizenship and Immigration Canada www.cic.gc.ca