Nova Scotia is opening new doors for international graduates who aspire to call the province home. In late September, the provincial government made a significant move to expand its “International Graduates in Demand” (IGD) stream within the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This expansion has brought good news for international students aspiring to become paramedics and pharmacy technicians in Nova Scotia.

What is Nova Scotia’s PNP? Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are established in almost every Canadian province and territory, excluding Quebec and Nunavut. These programs enable local governments to nominate specific immigration candidates for permanent residence, addressing local labor market gaps.

Expanding the IGD Stream Previously, international graduates seeking work in the healthcare field, specifically as nurse aides, orderlies, patient service associates, or early childhood educators and assistants, had the opportunity to immigrate to Nova Scotia through the IGD stream. However, the recent announcement extends this privilege to paramedics and pharmacy technicians. This development recognizes the demand for skilled professionals in these vital healthcare roles.

Eligibility for Immigration through IGD Stream To be eligible for immigration through Nova Scotia’s IGD PNP stream, candidates must meet specific criteria, including:

• Holding a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in an eligible occupation.
• Being between the ages of 21 and 55.
• Completing at least a high school education.
• Completing a course of study lasting at least 30 weeks in the last three years, with at least half of the qualifying educational program completed in Nova Scotia.
• Possessing the required certifications for the job.
• Demonstrating official language proficiency equivalent to a level 5 on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB).
• Having sufficient financial resources to settle permanently in Nova Scotia.

How to Apply for Immigration through the IGD Stream Applicants can follow these steps to apply for immigration through Nova Scotia’s IGD PNP stream:

1. Upload the required documents and submit a completed application on the government website.
2. If approved, apply for permanent residence directly with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) within six months of receiving the provincial nomination certificate.
3. Applicants can also request a Letter of Support for a temporary work permit from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI), allowing them to stay in Nova Scotia during the processing of their permanent residence application.