Provincial Nominee Programs in Four Atlantic Provinces
Immigration Programs in Four Atlantic Provinces
The four Atlantic Provinces of Canada, Atlantic PNP – New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador – each have their own Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) to attract and retain skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and students in their respective provinces.
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Photo resource: www.canada.ca
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
The Atlantic Immigration Program is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates from a Canadian institution who want to work and live in 1 of Canada’s 4 Atlantic provinces—New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador. The program helps employers hire qualified candidates for jobs they haven’t been able to fill locally.
Who can apply AIP?
To immigrate to Atlantic Canada through this program, you must be either
- a recent graduate of a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada, or
- a skilled worker
1. Job offer
- You need to obtain a job offer from a designated employer in 1 of the 4 provinces.
- This job must be full-time and non-seasonal.
- For NOC 0, A or B skill type or level job offers, the employer must be offering you a job that will last at least 1 year (1 year from the time you become a permanent resident).
- For NOC C skill level job offers, the employer must be offering you permanent employment, that is, there is no set end date.
- The job offer must be at the same skill level as, or higher than, the work experience that qualified you for the job (refer to the table below), unless you’re an international graduate from a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada.
- For certain health care sector jobs, you don’t need to have a job offer at the same skill level as, or higher than, the qualifying work experience. For example, work experience in NOC 3233 (practical nurses) and NOC 3012 (registered nurses) can be used as qualifying work experience if you have a job offer in NOC 3413 (nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates) or NOC 4412 (home health care worker).
2. Work Experience
- In the last 5 years, you must have worked at least 1 year or 1,560 hours.
- This work should be at NOC 0, A, B, or C skill level.
*International graduates
You do not need to meet the work experience requirements if you’re an international graduate who
- has a degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship certification that
- took at least 2 years of studies
- is from a recognized post-secondary institution in 1 of the 4 Atlantic provinces
- was a full-time student for the entire time you were studying
- lived in one of the following provinces for at least 16 months during the last 2 years before you graduated
- had the visa or permit you needed to work, study or get training while you were in Canada
3. Education
You must have one of these:
- If you have a job offer at the NOC 0 or A skill type or level, you must have a Canadian one-year post-secondary educational credential or higher, or the equivalent outside Canada.
- If you have a job offer at the NOC B or C skill level, you must have a Canadian high school diploma, or the equivalent outside Canada.
If you studied outside Canada, you need an educational credential assessment (ECA) obtained less than 5 years before application to confirm that your studies are equal to or higher than the required level of education for your job offer.
4. Language Requirements
The minimum language requirements for each NOC category are
- CLB/NCLC 5 for NOC 0, A and B
- CLB/NCLC 4 for NOC C
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is the largest of Canada’s three Maritime provinces. It is located under Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula and beside the state of Maine. New Brunswick was one of the first provinces, along with Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia, to join together to form the Dominion of Canada in 1867. New Brunswick has experienced immigration on a smaller scale from all over the world, and today boasts a varied and increasingly multicultural population.
NBPNP Skilled worker stream
Under the Skilled Worker Stream, foreign Nationals must meet the program’s minimum eligibility requirements, have a genuine offer of employment from a New Brunswick Employer and have the full intent to live and work in the province on a permanent basis.
The province regularly issues ITAs to in-province candidates with a qualifying job offer and who demonstrate a minimum of six (6) months of residency in New Brunswick . ITAs to out-of-province and overseas candidates whose qualifying job offer is in NOC TEER 5 only, except for 65201 – Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations.
NBPNP Express Entry Stream
The New Brunswick Express Entry Stream is designed for Foreign Nationals with the skills, education and work experience to contribute to New Brunswick’s economy. This stream is accepting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) via the INB portal, so the applicant needs to submitted a federal Express Entry profile.
NB Student connection
New Brunswick is now accepting EOIs (Expressions of interest) under the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream from international students from any designated institutions located in New Brunswick in a program that is eligible for a PGWP (post-graduation work permit) who meet all program criteria and:
- Have completed their studies in the past six months, are currently living in the province and are actively seeking employment in the province OR
- Graduate students (Masters and PhD) enrolled in thesis-based programs: you may apply once your thesis has been officially submitted for evaluation.
NB Employment connection
NB Occupations in Demand Connection.
The applicant is also required to be living and working in New Brunswick and holds a valid Canadian Work Permit. The NOC Code for this current employment must be NOC B or above and meet language and educational requirements.New Brunswick may invite candidates directly from the federal Express Entry pool to respond its own provincial labour-market needs.
NBPNP Entrepreneur stream
To be eligible for the New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream, you must
- have a minimum of 33.33 percent ownership in a business and actively manage it. You must also make an eligible business investment of at least CAD $250,000 before tax, with purchases for personal use being excluded. Certain business types are not eligible for this stream.
You can either start a new business or purchase an existing for-profit entity in the private sector that earns profits by selling goods or services on a permanent basis.
The business must provide increased value-added manufacturing or processing for New Brunswick exports, promote research and development, develop new products or services, apply innovative approaches to traditional businesses, or incorporate new technologies.
The business must create a minimum of two full-time jobs for permanent residents or citizens of Canada living in New Brunswick, excluding you, your spouse or common-law partner, your dependent children, and other family members.
It is recommended that you make exploratory visits to assess the viability of your business and plan to operate it in New Brunswick. The visit must be at least five full business days.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia offers various immigration programs to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and international graduates to contribute to the province’s economy and community. The most popular programs include streams such as the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry, Nova Occupation in Demand, and Skilled Worker Stream.
These programs generally require a job offer in Nova Scotia, except for the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry program, which allows international graduates to apply without a job offer and NS Labour Market Priorities Stream, which targets specific occupations.
Other programs include the Entrepreneur Stream, which targets experienced business owners and senior managers who want to establish or acquire a business in Nova Scotia, and the International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, which provides a pathway to permanent residency for graduates who have started a business in Nova Scotia.
Additionally, the province has various immigration streams to attract healthcare professionals, early childhood educucators, and individuals in specific occupations that are in high demand in Nova Scotia.
NS Labour Market Priorities stream
This stream allows the province to select candidates from the federal Express Entry pool who meet specific labour market needs in Nova Scotia.
The NSNP uses a points-based system to assess candidates who are in the Express Entry pool. Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements and score the highest number of points are invited to apply to the NSNP.
To be eligible for the Labour Market Priorities stream, candidates must:
- Have a profile in the federal Express Entry pool
- Meet the minimum work experience requirements for the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code that matches their primary occupation
- Meet the language requirements for their NOC code
- Have a valid Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report
- Meet any additional eligibility criteria for the specific draw
- The eligibility requirements and specific criteria for each draw are determined by the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration based on the province’s current labour market needs.
If a candidate is selected in a Labour Market Priorities draw, they will receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration. They will then have 30 calendar days to submit a complete application to the NSNP. Successful applicants will be nominated for permanent residency in Canada.
In the past, draws have targeted specific occupations such as nurses, carpenters, financial officers, candidates whose French as first language, and candidates with full-time job offer.
NS Occupations in Demand stream
The Occupations in Demand stream is available to applicants who have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) category 3, 4 or 5 occupations. Eligible occupations are determined based on labour market information and may change over time.
Who should consider the Occupations in Demand stream in Nova Scotia?
Individuals who have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in one of the eligible occupations (NOC 33102, NOC 65200, NOC 65201, NOC 65310, NOC 73300, NOC 73400, or NOC 75110) and who meet the other eligibility requirements may consider the Occupations in Demand stream in Nova Scotia. This stream is designed for specific TEER category 3, 4, or 5 occupations that are in high demand in Nova Scotia.
- NOC 33102: Nurse Aides
- NOC 65200: Food and beverage servers
- NOC 65201: Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations
- NOC 65310: Light duty cleaners
- NOC 73300: Transport truck drivers
- NOC 73400: Heavy equipment operators
- NOC 75110: Construction trades helpers and labourers
NS Experience: Express Entry
Individuals who have at least one year of work experience in Nova Scotia and who meet the other eligibility requirements, such as age, education, language proficiency, and having a profile registered in the Express Entry system, should consider the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream. The program is particularly suited to international graduates who have studied in Nova Scotia and have gained work experience in the province, as well as skilled workers who have already been working in Nova Scotia. The recent changes to the program have placed a greater emphasis on Nova Scotia graduates, so those who have completed their studies in the province may have an advantage in the application process.
NS Skilled Worker Stream
The Skilled Worker stream is designed to help employers in Nova Scotia recruit foreign workers and international students who have recently graduated and whose skills are needed in the province. To be eligible for the program, applicants must have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer, at least one year of work experience related to the job, be between 21 and 55 years old, have a high school diploma, have the necessary training, skills, and/or accreditation for the job, prove language ability equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5 (CLB 4 for TEER category 4 or 5 occupations), and show enough financial resources to settle in Nova Scotia.
NS Entrepreneur Streams
The Entrepreneur Stream targets experienced business owners or senior business managers who wish to establish and run a new or existing business in Nova Scotia. Candidates must receive an invitation to apply and demonstrate that they have the necessary experience, resources, and investment capital to start or purchase a business in the province. If they operate the business for at least one year and meet other requirements, they may be nominated for permanent resident status.
The International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is a program for recent graduates of a Nova Scotia university or the Nova Scotia Community College who have already started or bought a Nova Scotia business and operated it for at least a year. The program is designed for graduates who intend to settle in Nova Scotia, and they may be nominated for permanent resident status after fulfilling the program requirements. However, application to the program is by invitation only, meaning graduates must wait for an invitation before they can apply.
NS Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Immigration Pilot
If you receive a valid Nova Scotia job offer you may utilize the Atlantic Immigration Program or the Nova Scotia Nominee Program: Skilled Worker Stream.
NS Physician Stream
The Physician Stream in Nova Scotia is specifically designed for general practitioners, family physicians, and specialist physicians who have already been offered and accepted a job opportunity with the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) or the Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre (IWK) in Nova Scotia. This stream can be a great option for physicians who are looking to move to Nova Scotia and work in the province’s public health system.
Prince Edward Island
Immigrate to PEI as a Worker
The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) offers several immigration programs for eligible candidates. For be eligible for each stream, you must:
- be between the ages of 18 and 59;
- have sufficient financial resources to pay all immigration costs (including travel expenses) for you and your family to be able to establish in PEI; and
- demonstrate a genuine intention to settle in PEI.
- create a profile in the Prince Edward Island Expression of Interest system.
- have legal status in country of residence
Do you need a job offer for PEI PNP?
In Prince Edward Island (PEI), the Express Entry stream do not require a job offer, but PEI prioritizes invitations for applicants working and living in the province with an eligible PEI employer. Additionally, the Critical Workers stream of the PEI PNP requires a job offer for Teer 4 and 5, and at least 6 months full-time working for the PEI employer. The Skilled Workers in and outside PEI stream both require a job offer from a PEI employer for Teer 0, 1, 2, 3 occupations.
1. The Critical Workers stream
The Critical Workers stream targets foreign nationals who are currently in PEI working in critical occupations, specifically in the agriculture or fisheries sectors through PEI EOI system.
To be eligible to apply for the PEI Critical Worker stream you must:
- have a full-time, non-seasonal (i.e. permanent or minimum of two years) job offer from a PEI employer in an intermediate skilled position , defined by the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibility classification system as TEER category 4 or 5;
- have worked a minimum of six months full-time for the PEI employer;
- have a valid work permit and legal status in Canada;
- possess a minimum education of secondary school diploma;
- be between the ages of 18 and 59;
- have a minimum two years of full-time work experience or relevant education in the past five years
- provide a language test from an IRCC-approved testing institute within the past two years with a minimum score of CLB/NCLC 4;
- have sufficient financial resources to pay all immigration costs for you and your family to be able to establish in PEI; and
- demonstrate a genuine intention to settle in PEI.
2. Intermediate-Skilled Worker stream
To be eligible to apply for PEI Intermediate Experience Stream, you must:
- have a full-time, non-seasonal (i.e. permanent or minimum of two years) job offer from a PEI employer in an intermediate-skilled position, defined by the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibility classification system as TEER category 4;
- have a minimum of six months full‐time Canadian work experience that was gained while on a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) based work permit, and be relevant to the current position the individual is offered in PEI;
- have successfully completed (at minimum) a secondary school diploma;
- have legal status in country of residence;
- have a minimum two years of full‐time work experience or relevant education in the past five years;
- provide a valid language test result from an IRCC-approved testing institution, with a minimum score of CLB/NCLC 4. Language tests are valid for 2 years after the date of the test result;
3. International Graduate stream
This stream is for recent graduates of a PEI university or college who graduated from a publicly-funded PEI post-secondary institution. The International Graduate stream is employer-driven, allowing Island employers to fill positions that they are unable to fill through the local job market.
To be eligible to apply for the PEI International Graduate stream you must:
- have a post-secondary degree or diploma from a publicly-funded Prince Edward Island institution;
- have a full-time, non-seasonal (i.e. permanent or minimum of two years) job offer from a PEI employer;
- have a valid post-graduate work permit and legal status in Canada;
- be able to attend an interview with staff from the Office, if required;
- if in a high skilled occupation defined by the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibility classification system as TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3, possess sufficient English and/or French language ability to perform the job by providing a completed PEIW-02: Workforce Job Offer Form, indicating the employer is comfortable with the employee’s proficiency in English and/or French to perform tasks associated with the job position being offered;
- if in an intermediate-skilled position defined by the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibility classification system as TEER category 4 or 5, to provide a valid language test result from an IRCC-approved testing institution with a minimum score of CLB/NCLC 4. Language tests are valid for 2 years after the date of the test result;
4. Occupations in Demand stream
The Occupations in Demand stream is for individuals who have a job offer from a PEI employer in one of the province’s in-demand occupations. It may be utilized for talent recruitment outside of Canada, if the Prince Edward Island Employer has received authorization from the Office of Immigration prior to issuing a job offer. With approval, a work permit support letter would be provided for the applicant to seek a work permit. Requests from PEI Employers will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
To be eligible to apply for the PEI Occupations in Demand, you must
- have a full-time, non-seasonal permanent job offer from a PEI employer in one of the following:
- NOC 33102 (Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates);
- NOC 73300 (Transport truck drivers);
- NOC 75110 (Construction trades helpers and labourers);
- NOC 65310 (Light duty cleaners);
- NOC 95109 (Other labourers in processing, manufacturing and utilities);
- NOC 75101 (Material handlers);
- NOC 94140 (Process control and machine operators food and beverage processing); or
- NOC 94141 (Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers),
- have one year, full-time work experience directly related to the job offered by a PEI employer,
- have successfully completed (at minimum) a secondary school diploma (high school),
- provide a valid language test result from an IRCC-approved testing institution, with a minimum score of CLB/NCLC 4. Language tests are valid for 2 years after the date of the test result,
5. PEI Express Entry program
PEI Express Entry program allows individuals who are already in the federal Express Entry pool and who meet PEI’s immigration criteria to apply for nomination. The stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) basis, and eligible candidates may be invited to apply for nomination by the PEI Office of Immigration. Applicants must have work experience and education that align with PEI’s labour market needs, as well as meet the eligibility criteria for one of the federal economic immigration programs under the Express Entry system.
To be eligible for nomination through PEI Express Entry, you must:
- meet the requirements of at least one of the Federal Economic Immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program;
- Federal Skilled Trades Program; or
- Canadian Experience Class
- create a Federal Express Entry Profile and be placed in the pool of candidates. You can create a profile at any time through IRCC.
Prince Edward Island prioritizes invitations issued through Express Entry for applicants working and living in the province with an eligible PEI employer.
NOTE: You are required to show 9 months of full-time work experience with the PEI employer supporting you for immigration AND have at least 4 months remaining on your work permit at time of submission of your Expression of Interest IF:
- you hold a PGWP and graduated from an institution outside of PEI;
- you have a spousal open work permit as a result of a spouse’s study permit from an institution outside of PEI;
6. Skilled Workers in PEI stream
Skilled Workers in PEI stream targets foreign nationals who have already been employed by an Island employer. The Skilled Worker stream is employer-driven, allowing Island employers to fill high-skilled positions that they are unable to fill through the local job market.
To be eligible to apply for the PEI Skilled Worker stream you must:
- have a full-time, non-seasonal (permanent or minimum of two years) job offer from a PEI employer in a high skilled occupation defined by the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibility classification system as TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3;
- have at least two years of full‐time work experience in the past five years;
- have a valid work permit to be working in Canada;
- have successfully completed a post‐secondary degree or diploma (minimum two year program);
- have sufficient English and/or French language ability to perform the job offered. Language ability can be verified by one of the following:
- a language test from an IRCC approved testing institute within the past two years with a minimum score of CLB/NCLC 4; or
- PEIW-02: Workforce Job Offer Form indicating employer is comfortable with the employee’s proficiency in English and/or French to perform tasks associated with the job position being offered.
7. Skilled Workers Outside Canada stream
The Skilled Workers Outside Canada stream is for foreign nationals with a valid job offer from a PEI employer in a skilled occupation.
To be eligible to apply for the PEI Skilled Worker stream you must:
- have a full-time, non-seasonal (permanent or minimum of two years) job offer from a PEI employer in a high skilled occupation defined by the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibility classification system as TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3; Important note: Through this stream, your employer must receive authorization from our office prior to submitting an expression of interest profile;
- have at least two years of full‐time work experience in the past five years;
- have legal status in country of residence;
- have successfully completed a post‐secondary degree or diploma (minimum two year program);
- have sufficient English and/or French language ability to perform the job offered. Language ability can be verified by one of the following:
- a language test from an IRCC approved testing institute within the past two years with a minimum score of CLB/NCLC 4; or
- PEIW-02: Workforce Job Offer Form indicating employer is comfortable with the employees proficiency in English and/or French to perform tasks associated with the job position being offered.
Immigrate to PEI as an Entrepreneur
Work Permit Stream
If you are interested in immigrating to Prince Edward Island and would like to invest in and run a business, you may be eligible for a nomination for permanent residency through the Work Permit Stream of the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP). This stream is for foreign nationals with business ownership or extensive management experience who would like to move to PEI to start their business, and eventually become a permanent resident.
If you are eligible, you will be selected through PEI EOI system.
To be eligible for nomination through the Work Permit stream you must:
- have a minimum verifiable personal net worth of $600,000 which has been accumulated through legal and legitimate sources in your own right;
- have a minimum education of secondary school equivalent;
- be within 21-59 years of age at the time of application;
- have transferable management skills and past employment or business ownership experience;
- meet minimum language requirements equivalent to a CLB/NCLC 4; and
- intend to live and work in PEI while providing day-to-day active and ongoing management of your PEI-based company
- Attend an interview with staff from the Office of Immigration.
- Meet the terms and conditions of the Performance Agreement signed with the Office of Immigration.
Buy or Sell a PEI Business
You can visit www.PEIBusinessesforSale.com – a platform to provide a link between people in PEl who would like to buy or sell a business.
Newfoundland Labrador
The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) provides an efficient immigration process for qualified skilled workers, international graduates, and their families who want to settle permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- NLPNP Skilled Persons Stream:
The NLPNP has three categories for skilled persons: Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and Express Entry-Skilled Worker for economic immigrants, and the NLPNP allocates up to 1,050 nominations annually through these categories.
For the Express Entry Category, work experience and job offers in TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 will be accepted, and language testing is required. The Skilled Worker Category accepts job offers in TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and language testing is required for TEER 4 and 5 job offers. The International Graduate Category accepts job offers in TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3, as well as TEER 4 in-demand job offers, and language testing is required for TEER 4 in-demand job offers.
- NLPNP Entrepreneur Stream
The NLPNP has two categories for entrepreneurs: International Graduate Entrepreneur category and the International Entrepreneur category.
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
Newfoundland and Labrador is working closely with the other Atlantic Provinces and the Federal Government to ensure the successful development and delivery of the AIP, which will facilitate the entry of up to 442 applications to Newfoundland and Labrador. Employers who wish to participate in the AIP must meet certain requirements, including a commitment to support the newcomer and their family as they integrate into their new life in Atlantic Canada. The AIP has three categories: High Skilled, Intermediate Skilled, and International Graduate, through which employers can bring workers.
Express Entry – Skilled Worker Category
To apply under the Express Entry – Skilled Worker category, candidates must be accepted into the Express Entry pool of IRCC, and have a job offer or be currently employed in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Applicants must submit their application via the External Online Application Portal and it will be reviewed by the Department of Immigration, Skills and Labour through the Internal Online Application Portal.
- Successful applicants will receive a nomination to apply for a Permanent Resident Visa through the Federal Government.
- This category is designed for highly skilled workers with experience in occupations in demand in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Employers are not required to participate in this category.
What is "Priority Skills NL"?
Priority Skills NL is a process for individuals with work experience in in-demand occupations in Newfoundland and Labrador who wish to become permanent residents of Canada.
Expressions of Interest are being accepted from those who meet certain eligibility criteria, including having worked in an in-demand occupation for at least one year within the last 10 years or having completed a PhD or Master’s degree from Memorial University in specific specialties within the past three years.
Applicants who exceed a minimum score of 60 on a scored questionnaire will be accepted and may receive invitations to apply for the Provincial Nominee Program without a job offer.
All candidates must have a certain level of English language proficiency, be at least 21 years old, and intend to live permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador. Not all candidates who meet eligibility requirements will receive invitations to apply.
Positions Exempt from Labour Market Testing
The occupations exempt from labour market testing fall in Health Care Sector, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, and Aquaculture sector.
Skilled Worker Category
The Skilled Worker Category is a way for skilled individuals to become permanent residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. To be eligible, they need to have a job or job offer from an employer in the province and plan to live there permanently. If they meet all the requirements, they and their families can be nominated for permanent residency. However, they also need to meet federal criteria to become permanent residents. They can apply for the Skilled Worker Category through an online application portal, and if successful, they’ll receive a nomination to apply for permanent residency through the Federal Government.
The International Graduate Category
The International Graduate Category is open to international graduates who have a job offer with a Newfoundland and Labrador employer and intend to make this province their permanent home.
- The applicant must have graduated from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution and be able to support a post-graduate work permit.
- The graduate must hold this post-graduate work permit at the time of application to the NLPNP.
- Only graduates from MUN or CNA are currently eligible to apply to this category.
- If they meet all other eligibility criteria outlined in the manual, the Provincial Government can nominate these international graduates for permanent residency.
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