February 15, 2019 – Nova Scotia is close to hitting its 2024 target of retaining 10 per cent of international students in the province after they graduate.

The Atlantic province reports the retention figure hit 9.4 per cent in 2018, up from 5 per cent in 2014.

Through innovative immigration policies, such as Nova Scotia Study and Stay, the province is seeing success as it tries to reverse an aging population trend.

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) also operates the International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, while the province also falls under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, which has an international graduate category.

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The 10 per cent target was set in the provincial government Ivany report of 2014, out of which came One Nova Scotia, a body set up to achieve some of the report’s targets.

Since 2014, the province has sharply increased the number of international students nominated for permanent residence, from 35 to 440 in 2018.

While not all those nominations are successful, the numbers reveal the province’s motivation to push international students to stay.

Federal government data shows the number of new permanent residents who previously held a study permit increased from 125 in 2015 to 210 in 2018.

In looking to retain international students, Nova Scotia is taking its lead from the federal government, which sees the group as important new permanent residents of Canada.

International students are young, educated, have the required language skills and experience of life in Canada, factors which make them able to integrate quickly as permanent residents.

How Does Nova Scotia Attract International Students?

Since 2014, the province has launched two new innovative immigration channels aimed at international students, Nova Scotia Study and Stay and the NSNP International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream.

Meanwhile, the joint federal-provincial Atlantic Immigration Pilot also looks to settle international graduates in the province.

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1) Nova Scotia Study and Stay

Nova Scotia Study and Stay specifically targets international students from China, India and the Philippines, providing them with support for the duration of their courses to help them develop a successful career in the province.

It does this through employment events, activities and workshops, plus career workshops and opportunities to learn in the workplace.

Key Benefits of Nova Scotia ‘Study and Stay’

• One-on-one employment and transition support from an EduNova Retention Coordinator, plus additional university/college and community support.
• Access to a province-wide cohort of peers and business networks.
• Two-day Employment Preparedness and Cohort Retreat for each year of your studies, attended by employers, plus Nova Scotia business and government leaders.
• Career assessments and self-value analysis.
• Personalized career and goal-setting plan.
• Training in professional job search, resume and interview techniques.
• Build a network of professional and employment connections.
• Access to a workplace placement scheme to build experience.

Nova Scotia ‘Study and Stay’: Who is eligible?

• Students in China, India and the Philippines who are interested in pursuing university, college or post-graduate studies enrolled in any of the following levels of study at a Nova Scotian post-secondary institution: NSCC diploma program, university undergraduate, masters, or doctorate.
• International K-12 students currently studying at a Nova Scotia high school – from China, India and the Philippines.
• Applicants must be accepted into their chosen post-secondary institution in Nova Scotia to receive conditional acceptance into the program. Final acceptance will be given once the applicant receives the appropriate study permit by IRCC.

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2) International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

The International Graduate Entrepreneur stream is aimed at recent graduates from a Nova Scotia university or the Nova Scotia Community College. They must have started or purchased a Nova Scotia business and operated it for a year on a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

Candidates are nominated for permanent residence if they intend to settle in the province. The stream works on an Expression of Interest format.

International Graduate Entrepreneur: Steps

1. Expression of Interest
2. Invitation to Apply
3. In-Person Interview and Nomination
4. Apply for Permanent Residence

International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: Candidate Requirements

• Want to live permanently in Nova Scotia while owning and actively managing a Nova Scotia business.
• Minimum one year of continuous experience actively managing and owning your current Nova Scotia business (100 per cent ownership).
• Have completed a degree or diploma including minimum 2 academic years of full-time, in-person study at a Nova Scotia university or the Nova Scotia Community College.
• Valid post-graduation work permit.
• Minimum score of 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English or French.

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3) Atlantic Immigration Pilot: International Graduate Program

The Atlantic International Graduate Program is aimed at candidates who have a degree, diploma or other credential from a publicly-funded institution in an Atlantic province. Work experience is not required. The job offer must last for at least one year.

Read more about the Atlantic International Graduate Program.

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Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.

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