CANADIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

New categories for the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program

Monday, 1 September 2008

Saskatchewan and Newfoundland Labrador have both made additions to their Provincial Nominee Program’s this month by adding a category for hospitality workers and international graduates, respectively.

Saskatchewan employers have been unable to find local workers to fill these positions and have been looking to temporary foreign workers to staff their businesses. In response, the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) introduced the Hospitality Sector Project to counter the acute labour shortages in three occupational groups: food counter attendants, food and beverage servers, and light-duty cleaners.

To be nominated for fast-track Permanent Residency under this category, applicants must have been working in Saskatchewan on a temporary work permit for at least six months. They must have a minimum of Grade 12 education (or equivalent) and the necessary English language abilities to continue to work in their occupation.

Increasingly, PNP categories such as Saskatchewan’s Hospitality Sector Project, are being created for semi-skilled and lower-skilled workers as a means to retain them as Canadian Permanent Residents. The goal is to keep these temporary foreign workers, who were brought over and trained to respond to regional labour shortages, from having to leave.

In addition, Newfoundland and Labrador has introduced an International Graduate category to its Provincial Nominee Program in order to encourage foreign students in its post-secondary institutions to stay in the province and contribute to the work force.

Newfoundland and Labrador is the sixth Province offering an international graduate category under the Provincial Nominee Program.

To qualify for this program, applicants must have graduated, within the past two years, from a recognized Newfoundland and Labrador post-secondary institution. They must have obtained a degree, diploma, or certificate for a program of at least two years in length. They will also need a full-time permanent job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer (that is related to their field of study) or have the reasonable expectation of employment in the near future. Applicants must obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit and have the necessary qualifications and sufficient English or French language ability for the position being offered.

If you are interested in Visas to Canada, contact Migration Expert for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. You can also try our visa eligibility assessment to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to Canada.